Skoda is building momentum internationally
and the new third-generation Octavia line-up will further bolster the firm's
fortunes. Available here now, a sweetener is a price reduction of around $2,000
for each model. The new Octavia is the first Skoda to be produced on the
modular MQB platform. Evidently, production costs are curtailed, translating to
a price reduction at the showroom but there are also weight savings of up to
65kg and, in concert with more fuel efficient motors, there have been economy
gains across the range. They drive better too. We sampled a pair of wagons, a
2.0 TDI which flowed nicely through highway 22 to Raglan-with a notably quiet
and easy-going ride- and a TSI 132kW version with paddle shifters and
independent front brake nipping that helped straighten out one of our favourite
back roads.
The
Octavia is controlled and predictable, even at the limit
The latest Octavia eclipses the outgoing
variant on size and space, and that's due to a 108mm stretch in wheelbase to
2,686mm. A 90mm extension to length takes the new Octavia to 4,659mm, and it is
also wider by 45mm at 1,814mm. Luggage space for the liftback rises to 568L
(enough for seven dogs; imagine that!), expanding out to 1,580L with the rear
seat backs folded flat. Interior space grows slightly.
Styling is more modern, with Octavia
adopting the new family face, first seen in Rapid, and there's a wider grille,
and shorter front overhang. The interior is also completely reconfigured, and
remains Skoda-logical. Safety enhancements figure large, including a new knee
airbag, belt warnings for all passengers, and a 360-degree optical parking
system, and rear reversing sonar.
The
new headlight clusters reputedly feature patterns inspired by traditional Czech
cut glass
Engines are either new (in the case of the
1.4 TSI and the diesels), or enhanced (the 132kW/250Nm 1.8 TSI). The 1.4 TSI
rises from a 90kW output to 103kW and is also good for 250Nm of torque from
1,500 to 3,500rpm. In the case of the 1.8-litre engine, the same amount of
torque is available over a wider rev spread, from 1,250-4,000rpm. Both of these
units are mated to seven-speed twin-clutch transmissions.
Expect a Scout TDI 4wd version of Octavia
in about a year - there's a 4WD, 132kW TSI Cambi for $43,600 in the meantime -
while fast front-drive RS variants are only a couple of months away. These will
be available with diesel and petrol engines, and in liftback and wagon formats.
The petrol engine (162kW/350Nm) is the same as that in the Golf GTI while the
diesel is a 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre offering. Pricing ranges from $47,000-$52,200
for RS variants.
The
Skoda's dash is laid out in a sensible fashion and is easy to understand
Returning to the mass market models, the
two diesel offerings consist of a 77kW/250Nm 1.6-litre unit, and a 110kW/320Nm
2.0-litre variant. The former uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the
bigger engine a six-speeder. Skoda rates the smaller unit at 3.9L/ 100km
overall, the larger at 4.5L/ 100km overall. Acceleration times for the
2.0-litre turbodiesel and 1.4-litre turbopetrol are similar, both around
8.5sec.
There are two Octavia specification levels.
Ambition sets the scene, with 16-inch alloys, seven airbags, front fog lights,
rear parking sonar, Bluetooth, manual AC, cruise control, trip computer and
cloth trim. Shift up to Elegance for 17-inch alloys, front and rear sonar, dual
zone AC, voice control, a powered tailgate for the wagon, and leather and cloth
trim. A new infotainment centre features in both grades. There are numerous
safety and driving assist enhancements but many of these are cost options.
For the lift backs, pricing begins at
$34,990 for the 103kW Ambition, running to $41,500 for the TDI 110kW Elegance.
The wagon range kicks off from $36,900 and tops out at $43,500.
