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 is currently working on its first EV estate car
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.
It remains to be seen if the Octavia name is applied to the Skoda’s fully electric wagon
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 ‘Combi’ concept is set to be revealed in production form ahead of its 2026 on sale date
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