The new fourth generation Octavia is set to grow in length and width, as the brand celebrates the model’s 60th year.

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Škoda has revealed quite a few details about its forthcoming new Octavia that’s due next year, including that it will feature new connectivity solutions and assistance systems.

Škoda has sold some 6.5 million Octavias since its original launch way back in 1959, and the current generation having sold more than 400,000 units worldwide, accounting for almost a third of Škoda’s total sales.

Currently, the Octavia is the overall bestselling model in the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Serbia and Belarus.

The leading role in this success story is played by the estate variant: nearly two thirds of all Octavia buyers opt for this body style. Today, the Octavia is the bestselling estate in Europe and the most popular import car in Germany.

Engines will include TDI and TSI diesels and petrols, as well as new iV-branded plug-in hybrid options.

When fitted with the 7-speed DSG, the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI producing 110hp and the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI outputting 150hp make use of a 48V belt-driven starter motor and a 48V lithium-ion battery. This makes it possible to ‘coast’ with the combustion engine completely switched off, recover energy whilst braking and support the engine with an electronic boost.

Both engines are also available in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox without mild-hybrid technology.

The gearbox that comes with the 1.5 TSI is newly developed for engines that deliver high levels of torque and is being used in conjunction with the Octavia’s diesel engines too. The 2.0 TSI with a power output of 190hp is exclusively available with all-wheel drive and a 7-speed DSG. All of the TSIs are fitted with a petrol particulate filter.

For the Octavia, a total of three new 2.0-litre diesel EVO engines provide power outputs ranging from 115hp to 200hp, and each are Euro 6d compliant. The 150hp and 200hp variants are also available with all-wheel drive.

The Octavia iV plug-in hybrid model will be available in two different power variants, either 204hp or 245hp, with both using a 6-speed DSG.

Also new is the shift-by-wire DSG system, which now no longer operates a manual connection to the gearbox and instead is switched electronically. This has enabled Škoda to change from a cumbersome gear lever to a more refined small rocker switch for selecting R, N and D/S, as well as a separate small button for the parking mode, P.

Scout and vRS variants will be added to the range later in 2020.

The new generation will feature sharper styling and subtly revised dimensions, including 22mm extra length and 15mm extra width, while the wheelbase is now 2,686mm. Alloys now measure up to 19-inches. That styling will see revised headlight designs that sport LED Matrix headlights for the first time, while at the rear there’s also LED technology in use.

The new design brings with it aerodynamic benefits too, with the drag coefficient now 0.24cd for the hatch and 0.26cd for the estate. This should reduce overall CO2 emissions and improve economy.

Rear occupants will receive an impressive 78mm extra kneeroom over the outgoing model, while boot capacity is being increased to 640 litres in the estate and 600 litres in the hatch. The rest of the interior has been wholly revised too, with a new two-spoke steering wheel that also offers a new range of car functions via its push and scroll buttons.

Front seats will be available with heating, cooling and massage functions, while the dashboard is accentuated by a free-standing central multifunction display – a departure from the in-built system currently in use. Tri-zone climate control will additionally be available. Drivers will also be treated to a Škoda first; a new head-up display. The latest version of Škoda’s Virtual Cockpit uses a 10-inch screen and allows for greater driver customisation, such as four different layouts – Basic, Classic, Navigation and Driver Assistance Systems – and specify systems using the steering wheel buttons. A minor change is the ability to display maps on both the central display and driver’s instrument cluster, which was previously not possible.

In terms of technology, the new Octavia will be equipped with cableless smartphone connectivity “SmartLink+”, while there’s two USB-C ports and an optional 230V socket in the rear too.

When equipped with the KESSY keyless entry system, any one of the Octavia’s four doors can be opened first.