Inside Skoda’s plans to continue making petrols & diesels for next ten years as the Octavia to be refreshed in summer

MUSIC to our ears. Skoda will continue to make petrols and diesels for as long as possible.

So, at least another ten years, then.

Boss Klaus Zellmer said: “Of course we will always adhere to all legal requirements, including emissions, but as long as we are able to offer combustion powertrains and as long as customers prefer them, we will have them.

“We will follow our customers. We will remain flexible to provide our customers with the best mobility for their lives.”

To illustrate his point, everyone’s favourite Skoda, the Octavia, will be updated this summer. Choose your shape, hatch or estate. Choose your engine, petrol or diesel.

Brilliant all-rounder.

Zellmer said: “Our customers rightly expect a lot from an Octavia. This refresh takes it to the next level.”

Also this summer, the flagship Superb hatch and estate and Kodiaq SUV will be completely renewed. Choose your engine, petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid.

Skoda reckons the plug-in hybrids will do up to 62 miles in EV mode.

Best of both worlds

Further down the food chain, Kamiq and Scala have just had a nip/tuck, so there’s lots going on at your local dealer right now.

Zellmer also confirmed Skoda is busy building an electric car family from small to XL.

Small being the Epiq crossover revealed the other day. That’ll be the cheapest Skoda EV at £21k. But it won’t be here until 2026.

XL being a seven-seater previewed by the Vision 7S concept we tried a couple of years ago. That’s due in 2027.

First up is the medium-sized Elroq SUV, which uses the same electric gubbins as the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe, and hits the road next year.

Much further down the line will be an Octavia-sized electric estate to sit alongside the petrol and diesel versions.

Zellmer said: “We are committed to offering the best of both worlds – electric and internal combustion engines. But the future of Skoda is increasingly electric.”

Perfectly sensible approach from the sensible car company.