New Skoda electric wagon likely won’t be called Octavia

---

The first-ever Skoda electric station wagon is confirmed for a 2026 release date – but the EV estate probably won’t be called the Octavia, the brand’s global CEO told Chasing Cars.

That’s because Skoda will continue producing petrol-powered and hybrid combustion cars as long as there is demand, including the Octavia wagon – which accounts for one-third of Skoda’s global sales.

Skoda first introduced the Octavia nameplate in 1959 on a small family car – Octavia because it was the eighth model produced by the then-Czechoslovakian automaker. Octavia is a female name of Latin origin meaning eighth.

It was reintroduced in 1996 and has been a constant in the Skoda line-up since.

In a major shake-up of Skoda’s expertise in station wagons, the brand will launch a 4.7-metre long estate that is fully-electric in 2026 – alongside the combustion Octavia model.

However, Skoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer told Chasing Cars in Germany that a new name was on the cards as Skoda prepares the BEV car.

But Skoda has closely considered calling the BEV wagon the Octavia, even if it is a fundamentally different car to the continuing petrol model.

“This is a big debate and we have made a decision but let’s see,” said Zellmer. 

“Giving up those names – Octavia, Superb, Kodiaq, for example – they’re well established, they’re worth a lot, and replace them with something starting with an E and ending with a Q is something that is [difficult]. 

“Still there is a decision, this the logic, but we have a little bit of a pain inside us giving up on established names as well. So let’s see. I don’t think we’ll use Octavia but let’s see”.

The vehicle is expected to follow Skoda’s new electric vehicle naming convention that has produced the Enyaq upper-midsize electric SUV – and the forthcoming Elroq small electric SUV.

The Octavia replacement, currently codenamed the ‘Combi’ (Skoda-speak for wagon), is due around 2026. All-electric, it will buck the SUV trend with its low-slung wagon figure measuring approximately 4.7 metres long. 

Skoda designers have said the car would have the exterior dimensions of a compact wagon with the interior space of a larger segment vehicle. 

Additional reporting by Tom Baker