Skoda Octavia

Debut: 2004
Maker: Skoda
Predecessor: Octavia (1996)

If there is any car threatening the success of Volkswagen Golf, it must be Skoda Octavia. Both cars are based on the same PQ35 platform, with the same steering, suspensions, gearboxes and engines, plus an identical wheelbase, they should drive very much the same way. What the Skoda has in advantage is price - it is produced in Czech Republic, taking advantage of German engineering and Czech labor costs simultaneously.

Compare with Golf, Octavia looks relatively conservative. For a starter, it is styled like a 4-door sedan instead of its actual identity (5-door hatchback). If there will be any new Volkswagen Bora or Jetta, they will look much closer to this, but I doubt if they will adopt a rectangular grille and headlamps like the Skoda. As these cars are mechanically identical, Volkswagen group needs to differentiate their styling as much as possible. Unfortunately, while Seat occupies the adventurous side of the spectrum, Volkswagen rest on the middle of the road, Skoda has to defend the Land of Conservatives.

It is not all bad though, because the conservative sedan profile contributes to a massive 560 litres of boot space, eclipsing a Mercedes E-class by 60 litres ! if you fold down the rear seats, it will grow to 1350 litres. Suddenly Skoda has become Czech’s Volvo. Inside the cabin, the story is similar: while the hard points of chassis are identical to Golf, Octavia managed to squeeze out more space, especially rear head and legroom. The ambience is also more light and airy.

Quality of materials throughout the cabin seems generally good, although some small details reveals signs of cost cutting. Nevermind, because the build is solid and you know the reliability record of Skoda is good.

The sense of quality also spreads to road manner. Octavia’s suspensions are set softer than Golf. The result is supple and quiet ride. More relaxed than the Golf but handling is still capable enough by class standard. Slick gearchange and refined steering (if slightly numb) extends the sense of refinement, so does the 2.0TDI pump injection diesel engine. Octavia fulfills the role as a comfortable car very well.

Octavia is enjoyable to drive - not for excitement, but for superb refinement. In many ways it is a smarter choice than the Golf, especially if you see style and image unimportant. Even if you don’t, its keen price is still worth considering.
The above report was last updated on 10 Jul 2004. All Rights Reserved.
 

Engine udpate (2006-2009) and Octavia RS

One of the best things of being a member of Volkswagen group is that you can get access to a pool of state-of-the-art engines. During the period 2006-2009, Skoda Octavia received a range of excellent direct-injection turbocharged engines from its mother company, including 122hp 1.4 TSI, 160hp 1.8 TSI, 200hp 2.0TFSI (for hot model Octavia RS) and 170hp 2.0TDI turbo diesel (also Octavia RS). These engines provide remarkable performance, fuel economy and refinement compared with most other mainstream European rivals, keeping the Octavia competitive regardless of its age.

  Octavia RS

British media has been especially fond of Octavia RS (called vRS there) as it combines Golf GTi engine with absorbent ride, which makes its performance highly accessible on their B-roads. However, its turn-in and steering aren't as sharp as Golf's, and its visual desirability falls short by quite a margin.
The above report was last updated on 15 Aug 2009. All Rights Reserved.






Specifications




General remarks

Octavia 1.6MPI
Octavia 2.0TDI
Octavia 1.4TSI
Layout
Front-engined, FWD
Front-engined, FWD Front-engined, FWD
Chassis
Steel monocoque
Steel monocoque Steel monocoque
Body
Mainly steel
Mainly steel Mainly steel
Length / width / height 4572 / 1769 / 1462 mm 4572 / 1769 / 1462 mm 4569 / 1769 / 1462 mm
Wheelbase 2578 mm 2578 mm 2578 mm
Engine
Inline-4
Inline-4, diesel
Inline-4
Capacity
1595 cc
1968 cc 1390 cc
Valve gears
SOHC 8 valves
DOHC 16 valves
DOHC 16 valves
Induction
-
VTG turbo
Turbo
Other engine features
-
Pump injection
DI
Max power
102 hp 140 hp 122 hp
Max torque
109 lbft 236 lbft 147 lbft
Transmission
5-speed manual
6-speed manual 6-speed manual
Suspension layout
F: strut
R: multi-link
F: strut
R: multi-link
F: strut
R: multi-link
Suspension features
-
- -
Tyres front/rear
195/65R15
205/55R16
195/65R15
Kerb weight
1255 kg
1355 kg
1265 kg
Top speed
118 mph (c)
129 mph (c)
126 mph (c)
0-60 mph (sec)
11.5 (c)
9.0 (c)
9.1 (c)
0-100 mph (sec)
-
-

Performance tested by: -



Octavia 1.8TSI
Octavia RS TDI
Octavia RS
Layout
Front-engined, FWD
Front-engined, FWD Front-engined, FWD
Chassis
Steel monocoque
Steel monocoque Steel monocoque
Body
Mainly steel
Mainly steel Mainly steel
Length / width / height 4569 / 1769 / 1462 mm 4572 / 1769 / 1442 mm 4572 / 1769 / 1442 mm
Wheelbase 2578 mm 2578 mm 2578 mm
Engine
Inline-4
Inline-4, diesel
Inline-4
Capacity
1798 cc
1968 cc 1984 cc
Valve gears
DOHC 16 valves, VVT
DOHC 16 valves
DOHC 16 valves, VVT
Induction
Turbo
VTG Turbo
Turbo, VIM
Other engine features
DI
CDI
DI
Max power
160 hp 170 hp 200 hp
Max torque
184 lbft 258 lbft 206 lbft
Transmission
6-speed manual
6-speed manual 6-speed twin-clutch (DSG)
Suspension layout
F: strut
R: multi-link
F: strut
R: multi-link
F: strut
R: multi-link
Suspension features
-
- -
Tyres front/rear
205/55R16
225/45R17
225/45R17
Kerb weight
1305 kg
1410 kg
1395 kg
Top speed
138 mph (c)
140 mph (c)
149 mph (c)
0-60 mph (sec)
7.4 (c)
7.8 (c)
6.6*
0-100 mph (sec)
-
-
17.3*
Performance tested by: *Autocar






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