In an extraordinary tale of vehicular preservation, a 2006 Skoda Octavia Elegance in Kottayam, Kerala, is making headlines, not just for its impeccable condition but for its astonishingly affordable price tag of INR 2.70 lakh. This gem, designed by the renowned car designer Luc Donckerwolke, comes loaded with 17″ alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires, a brand-new clutch, and an HKS original exhaust, not to mention a VRS bumper and spoiler. It’s a testament to meticulous maintenance, with every light and switch functioning as if it just rolled off the production line.
The car’s admirers are vocal in their praise, with user swarajchhajed declaring it “the first, last, and only car from Kerala that’s nice, beautiful, and worth the price.” Meanwhile, granth__bhardwaj lauds it as “one of the nicest and cleanest builds of its era.”
This Skoda Octavia Elegance is a direct descendant of the first-generation Octavia, which debuted in November 1996 for the 1997 model year, from the Škoda factory in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. Available in liftback or estate styles, this model marked Škoda’s entry into the Indian market in 2001, a move that was part of the Volkswagen Group’s strategy to introduce the brand and its luxury yet affordable cars to Indian consumers. The Octavia quickly became a symbol of aspiration in the luxury car space, offering a mix of elegant styling, fuel efficiency, comfort, and impressive features at a time when the Indian market was just beginning to explore luxury automotive options.
By 2003, the D-Segment sedan category in India was heating up with new entrants like the Toyota Corolla and the Chevrolet Optra, but the Skoda Octavia maintained its stronghold, thanks to its balanced mix of features, style, and affordability. The Elegance variant, launched in September 2002, added more luxury to the line with features such as rear wiper, climatronic AC, and leather upholstery, setting a new standard for what drivers could expect from a vehicle in its class.
This 2006 model, now for sale, represents more than just a car; it’s a piece of automotive history, embodying the spirit of an era when cars were built to last and designed to impress. For car enthusiasts and casual drivers alike, this Skoda Octavia Elegance is not just a vehicle; it’s a remarkable deal on wheels, ready to cruise the streets of Kottayam and beyond.
