ŠKODA OCTAVIA PRO: Czech bestseller for the Chinese market

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA is the Czech carmaker’s bestseller. Chinese customers have bought 1.4 million of the more than 6.8 million contemporary OCTAVIA cars sold. That is one reason why Chinese customers will now have the chance to buy the new OCTAVIA PRO, which is tailor-made for them. The original generation of the OCTAVIA model will still be available as well, though.

The OCTAVIA PRO for the Chinese market is 64 mm longer than the classic fourth-generation OCTAVIA. And at 2,730 millimetres, its wheelbase is 44 mm longer. Another interesting comparison is with its predecessors: compared to the third-generation OCTAVIA, the OCTAVIA PRO is 78 mm longer.

The OCTAVIA PRO has been given dynamically shaped bumpers in the style of the OCTAVIA RS sports model. These bumpers underline the car’s overall dynamic looks.

Just like the standard version, the OCTAVIA PRO has an emotive design that brings to mind a coupé body. The car’s dynamic looks were enhanced by details like the black roof, black exterior rear-view mirrors and the up to 18-inch wheel rims.

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA PRO is a world-beater in back seat space. All 44 millimetres of the extended wheelbase are devoted to giving more room to passengers in the back.

The OCTAVIA PRO’s dashboard is dominated by the 12-inch touch display with state-of-the-art always-online infotainment. Chinese customers will therefore be able to make full use of various online functions, some of which are again tailor-made for the local market.

While the standard European version of the OCTAVIA comes with the option of a two-spoke steering wheel, Chinese customers will get the sportier three-spoke design. All the traditional controls will be to hand, executed in the brand’s own crystalline design.

The new model is powered by the popular four-cylinder 1.4 TSI engine that delivers 110 kW of power output and 250 Nm of torque and is hooked up to a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. Like its European counterpart, the OCTAVIA PRO’s transmission uses an electronic shift-by-wire system. The OCTAVIA PRO also comes with multi-link rear axle suspension as standard.