New Skoda Superb, Octavia RS showcased at Auto Expo 2025

Both Skoda sedans are expected to go on sale in India later this year.

Published On Jan 17, 2025 12:50:00 PM

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New Skoda Superb will be sold in India as a CBU

Skoda Octavia RS

The new Skoda Superb and the 2025 Octavia RS have been showcased for the first time in India at the Auto Expo 2025. Both models are expected to launch in India later this year. Apart from these two sedans, Skoda has displayed the recently launched Kylaq compact SUV, the Elroq EV and the new Kodiaq at the event.

Both models will come to India as full imports
Superb could get a 2.0 petrol with 204hp or 265hp
Octavia RS to come with 265hp 2.0 petrol engine

New Superb, Octavia RS will return via CBU route

While Skoda continues to bet on its sedan line-up, it will not manufacture these two models on Indian soil. Because of low volumes, the brand had pulled the plug on the Superb’s previous-gen model, which was made in India, and later re-introduced it as a CBU in limited numbers.

Low volumes aside, the key reason for fully importing the Superb for India is the shifting of the Superb’s production to Bratislava, Slovakia, which does not have a facility to build CKD kits for the sedan.

As for the Octavia RS, its volumes will likely be even lower than the Superb’s, making local assembly unviable. Skoda sold the last two iterations of the Octavia RS – the RS 230 and RS 245 – in limited numbers as CBUs in India.

Both models take design cues from the newer Skodas, with the Superb sporting the brand’s “Modern Solid” design language. The 2025 Octavia RS being showcased is essentially the fourth-gen model with a facelift. Until a few years ago, Skoda sold the fourth-gen standard Octavia in India in a pre-facelift avatar.

As far as powertrains are concerned, the Octavia RS has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol good for 265hp and 370Nm, similar to the one sold overseas. The Superb comes with multiple petrol and diesel engine options, depending on the market. For India, we expect the 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 204hp or 265hp output.

The new Superb will be positioned on par with or slightly higher than the recently launched Camry, which is locally assembled, and the Octavia RS will be a niche product aimed at enthusiasts and won’t have a direct rival here.

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Auto Expo 2025 image gallery

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