Model Update

Skoda has picked up a number of awards of late, more recently for the Superb models. What you’ll find with the recent changes in the new Skoda Octavia is a fresh exterior design that looks pleasantly modern, and inside you’ll appreciate some new features and an updated layout. All the Skoda models including the RS and Wagon have been revised, with the wagon gaining a few even more interior room.

The Octavia’s luxury cabin happily pampers its occupants all day long, as the cabin is a roomy one. With some new materials and colours for the seats and the lining of the door panels, you’re definitely looking good. Now a choice of three and four-spoke steering wheels, audio and navigation systems are available throughout the Octavia range. The instrument panel has a polished design boasting soft-touch buttons that provide ergonomic style. White LED illumination provides a nice contrast against the black instrument trim.

Solidly built, the Octavia feels safe. And with two petrol and two diesel engines there is plenty of power for the motorway. You might like to note that the Octavia is now available with a revolutionary seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission system, specifically developed for the 118TSI engine.

Skoda offers the Australian car buyer good value for money, as has been Skoda’s record in the other four continents that Skoda currently markets its cars in.

The Skoda Octavia is built on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform, and was designed and engineered at the Skoda Auto Design and Engineering Centre. It seems to be a great choice for the Australian family who might like something a little different from the popular Toyota and Nissan equivalents. The Skoda Octavia is very elegant and attractive in its appearance, and the smooth exterior lines and the attention to detail show off a car that could easily accommodate itself inside car groupings that belong to a much higher price bracket. The dominating feature of the car’s face is the iconic radiator grille with a chrome frame, vertical fins and the Skoda logo. The v-shaped bonnet lines sweep into the curved roofline. The combination is graceful and gives an impression of speed and agility. An elegant arch is captured in the curvy A-pillar-through-to-roof-through-to-C-pillar line. This gives the Skoda Octavia a very classy and sporty appearance. The rear window blends smoothly into the boot lid that sharply drops away at the rear.

Hop inside, and you are welcomed by the car’s interior which is extremely well put together – perhaps largely due to Skoda’s connections with Volkswagen. Inside a Skoda Octavia, you will find ample space in both the front and rear compartments, and the boot is simply cavernous and needs to be seen to be believed. The beautiful top-quality materials provide the cabin with a luxurious ambience for the driver and passengers to relax and travel in. The seats in the RS are part leather, part alcantara and part webbing. But all models have pleasant seating fabric, and the seats are comfortable with very good lumbar support. All important instruments and controls can be easily reached by the driver. Each instrument is nicely arranged in the dash and instrument-panel design. The two air-conditioning zones will ensure that both the front and rear occupants travel in excellent comfort. Some other nice touches include: the rear heater vents, lots of storage hooks and plenty of cubby holes, a rear access way to the boot from the rear seats, and a rear armrest. Each Skoda Octavia comes with a stereo system that features a CD and MP3 player. The stereo can be operated from the steering wheel controls. Skoda Octavias can also be equipped with parking sensors that make parking a much less stressful experience. Cruise control is optional.

The base model: the Skoda Octavia Ambiente has a 1.9 litre 77 kW turbo-diesel engine that promises very economical, reliable and roomy motoring. It comes in a sedan or wagon form, and the car is driven through a five-speed manual or six-speed sequential gearbox. Average fuel consumption figures are excellent – at under 7 litres/100 km. The 2.0 TDI is the more powerful diesel motor which offers excellent clout and refinement. The 320 Nm grunt levels are particularly evident when the power is needed for hauling a heavily laden vehicle around. The engine performs very well, and always remains in charge. For the petrol models, the Octavia Elegance TFSI model has the crisp 1.8T engine that is a sweet mover and is lots of fun to drive. The 2.0 litre FSI motor is a blend of refinement and power. For those who really like to set the pace, the Octavia RS boasts an excellent 147 kW engine that deals to 0-100 km/h sprint times in a very rude fashion. In fact, in a little over seven seconds the dash is completed. Keep the foot down, where it’s legal, and you can fly on to a very controlled and rapid 235 km/h.

Australia, you are in for a treat. Take one for a spin to see how well the Skoda Octavia handles and performs. The build quality is exemplary.

The current models series includes the:

• Skoda Octavia Ambiente TDI
• Skoda Octavia Ambiente TDI Wagon
• Skoda Octavia Elegance TFSI
• Skoda Octavia Elegance FSI
• Skoda Octavia Elegance TDI
• Skoda Octavia Elegance TFSI Wagon
• Skoda Octavia Elegance FSI Wagon
• Skoda Octavia Elegance TDI Wagon
• Skoda Octavia TDI 4×4 Wagon
• Skoda Octavia E’gance 4×4 TDI Wagon
• Skoda Octavia RS
• Skoda Octavia RS Wagon

For any more information on the Skoda Octavia, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Skoda dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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