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Skoda Octavia
Debut: 2004
Maker: Skoda
Predecessor: Octavia (1996)
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 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
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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.
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| The
above report was last updated on 15 Aug 2009. All Rights Reserved. |
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General remarks
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Octavia 1.6MPI
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Octavia 2.0TDI
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Octavia 1.4TSI
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Layout
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Front-engined, FWD
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Front-engined, FWD |
Front-engined, FWD |
Chassis
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Steel monocoque
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Steel monocoque |
Steel monocoque |
Body
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Mainly steel
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Mainly steel |
Mainly steel |
| Length / width / height |
4572 / 1769
/ 1462 mm |
4572 / 1769
/ 1462 mm |
4569 / 1769 / 1462 mm
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| Wheelbase |
2578 mm |
2578 mm |
2578 mm
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Engine
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Inline-4
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Inline-4, diesel
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Inline-4
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Capacity
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1595 cc
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1968 cc |
1390 cc
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Valve gears
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SOHC 8 valves
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DOHC 16 valves
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DOHC 16 valves
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Induction
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-
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VTG turbo
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Turbo
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Other engine features
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-
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Pump injection
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DI
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Max power
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102 hp |
140 hp |
122 hp
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Max torque
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109 lbft |
236 lbft |
147 lbft
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Transmission
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5-speed manual
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6-speed manual |
6-speed manual
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Suspension layout
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F: strut
R: multi-link
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F: strut
R: multi-link |
F: strut
R: multi-link |
Suspension features
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-
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- |
-
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Tyres front/rear
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195/65R15
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205/55R16
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195/65R15
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Kerb weight
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1255 kg
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1355 kg
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1265 kg
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Top speed
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118 mph (c)
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129 mph (c)
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126 mph (c)
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0-60 mph (sec)
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11.5 (c)
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9.0 (c)
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9.1 (c)
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0-100 mph (sec)
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-
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-
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| Performance
tested by: |
- |
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Octavia 1.8TSI
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Octavia RS TDI
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Octavia RS
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Layout
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Front-engined, FWD
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Front-engined, FWD |
Front-engined, FWD |
Chassis
|
Steel monocoque
|
Steel monocoque |
Steel monocoque |
Body
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Mainly steel
|
Mainly steel |
Mainly steel |
| Length / width / height |
4569 / 1769 / 1462 mm |
4572 / 1769 / 1442 mm |
4572 / 1769 / 1442 mm
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| Wheelbase |
2578 mm |
2578 mm |
2578 mm
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Engine
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Inline-4
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Inline-4, diesel
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Inline-4
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Capacity
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1798 cc
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1968 cc |
1984 cc
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Valve gears
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DOHC 16 valves, VVT
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DOHC 16 valves
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DOHC 16 valves, VVT
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Induction
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Turbo
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VTG Turbo
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Turbo, VIM
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Other engine features
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DI
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CDI
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DI
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Max power
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160 hp |
170 hp |
200 hp
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Max torque
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184 lbft |
258 lbft |
206 lbft
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Transmission
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6-speed manual
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6-speed manual |
6-speed twin-clutch (DSG)
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Suspension layout
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F: strut
R: multi-link
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F: strut
R: multi-link |
F: strut
R: multi-link |
Suspension features
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-
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- |
-
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Tyres front/rear
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205/55R16
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225/45R17
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225/45R17 |
Kerb weight
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1305 kg
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1410 kg
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1395 kg
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Top speed
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138 mph (c)
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140 mph (c)
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149 mph (c)
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0-60 mph (sec)
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7.4 (c)
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7.8 (c)
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6.6*
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0-100 mph (sec)
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-
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-
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17.3*
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| Performance
tested by: |
*Autocar
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