Automakers may be leaving the mid-sized segment en masse but Skoda isn’t following the herd.
Instead, the Czech brand is expanding the 2021 Skoda Octavia range with a mid-range 140TSI model.
While the 110TSI and RS are due in April, the 140TSI will come in the third quarter of this year as a limited-edition model before becoming a Sportline in the new year.
The 140TSI will be offered in both sedan (hatchback) and wagon body styles and Skoda says it’ll have “a high level of spec”.
Pricing is expected to be around the $40,000 mark.
Pictured: Octavia RS
It’ll use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
A spokesperson from Skoda said the 140TSI “could very well be the sweet spot of the Octavia range”.
While the Karoq 140TSI Sportline uses a petrol particulate filter (PPF), it isn’t yet clear whether the Octavia 140TSI will follow suit.
We expect the Octavia 140TSI to feature similar sporty design cues to that Karoq, such as black-finish alloy wheels and mirror caps.
The Octavia range currently opens with the less powerful 110TSI models, priced between $30,390 before on-roads for the Ambition sedan and $36,190 list for the Style wagon.
110TSI Ambition 
RS
The RS sits atop the range, priced at $47,790 list for the sedan and $49,090 for the wagon. You can view a full list of prices in our price and specs article.
The addition of the 140TSI powertrain is something the related Volkswagen Golf Mk8 doesn’t offer, though it’s available in the base model Passat 140TSI Business which costs $46,590 before on-roads.
The axing of the Ford Mondeo, Kia Optima and Subaru Liberty has thinned the amount of competition for the Octavia, while models like the Hyundai Sonata and Peugeot 508 are now available only in a single and much more expensive trim level.
Circa-$40k pricing will put the Octavia 140TSI up against the less powerful, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder Mazda 6 Touring and Toyota Camry SL; the punchier Camry SX V6 falls under $40k but it’s set to be axed this year.
