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15/06/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Skoda has given its Octavia a bolder, cleaner appearance as part of a mid-life makeover of a model that's four years old. It's a slicker, sharper looking vehicle when viewed from any angle. At the front there's a new radiator grille, headlamps, foglamps and bumper. Larger side mirrors have a new look and the side protective mouldings are now finished in body colour. At the back the latest Octavia has a new bumper, tail-lights and bolder `Octavia' lettering. Overall, it's a slicker, sharper-looking vehicle.
 Under the refreshed skin there are some of Volkswagen's latest engine and gearbox technology. Czech car maker Skoda has been part of the Volkswagen Group for almost 20 years now and all its current models have been designed during that period.
Octavia's interior is obviously VW derived, with virtually identical instruments and centre-stack layouts. The latest Octavia has a new four-spoke multi-function steering wheel, that's similar to a Volkswagen product used in the German company's upmarket models, and the Skoda's instrument panel now has easy-to-read white illumination for more relaxed night driving.
The cabin layout is functional and the use of good quality plastics adds to a feel of refinement. Some of our test panel found the front seats to be on the narrow side, so not always comfortable. Others liked the support, not to mention the styling. Obviously, this is one area that potential buyers have to make their own decisions.
There's good legroom and headroom in the rear seat and, a nice upmarket touch this, there's a compartment in the centre folding armrest. This will appeal to the kids as well as to adults who want to lean back and relax.
 Interior stowage space is better than average, with big pocket in the doors and a decent sized centre console box. We liked the added stowage areas built into the outer edges of the front seats. These are just the thing for small phones, loose change and the like.
Boot space of the Skoda Octavia hatchback is good and the squared off styling of the rear of the car means the compartment is well shaped and easy to load. The multiple grocery-bag hangers were much appreciated during our time with the hatchback. A big, practical station wagon is also in the Octavia lineup.
We have driven a pair of new Skoda Octavias, both fitted with the latest VW 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel engine mated to a six-speed DSG sequential manual gearbox, for our latest week of road testing, on the Gold Coast, as well as in Sydney. This new engine has only 103 kW of power, which may not sound a lot, but there’s plenty of torque, with 320 Nm on tap between a low 1750 rpm and 2500 rpm. Many drivers will spend almost all of their time with the engine in this fuel efficient range.
As road testers we gave the engine and transmission a good try out at times, but even then it was unusual to find the fuel consumption much above nine litres per hundred kilometres. Most average drivers will see the trip computer indicating averages in the seven to eight litre range when doing suburban driving and will often find the consumption to be below six litres per hundred kilometres on the open road and motorways.
The engine is quiet from inside the Octavia, but we were surprised that it appeared to be louder from the outside whilst idling than the superseded powerplant.
It's no surprise that the Octavia has the solid feel that we like so much in the VW and Audi ranges. The latest Octavia has relatively firm suspension, firmer than we remember if from our test of the superseded model. This results in a fair bit of tyre/road noise on rough surfaces, particularly on the dreaded coarse-chip. This isn't an unusual problem in European cars, even some very expensive luxury models, but try an Octavia on coarse-chip for yourself if you are likely to travel on it on a routine basis.
Also on the noise front, the new design of door mirrors seemed to create more windrush than we anticipated. Cross winds can do this to cars and the sound wasn’t there for most of the time during our test periods.
 On the positive side, the Octavia's suspension and steering are great to sit behind on good and moderate road surfaces. The turn-in is positive and the car responds promptly to throttle and steering wheel inputs. Octavia is happy to change direction if asked to do so part way through a corner. You wouldn’t call a car of this size nimble, but it's pretty good and keen drivers will like the feel.
The latest Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI has gone even further upmarket, partly because the range isn't selling as well as anticipated, so the local importer has pushed the factory for extra equipment with no real increase in price. Our test cars had 16-inch alloy wheels, a ‘light assistant’ function with coming and leaving home function, foglamps and automatic rain-sensing windscreen wipers.
Skoda's Octavia offers exceptional value for money for a European car. Particularly, it has to be said, when compared with Audi and Volkswagen models with which it shares quite a few components. Definitely a car that's worth serious consideration.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Octavia Liftback 1.6-litre petrol five-door hatch (manual and automatic)
Octavia Liftback TSI 1.8-litre petrol five-door hatch (manual and DSG seven-speed automatic)
Octavia Liftback TDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch (manual and DSG six-speed automatic)
Octavia Wagon 1.6-litre petrol five-door hatch (manual and automatic)
Octavia Wagon TSI 1.8-litre petrol five-door hatch (manual and DSG seven-speed automatic)
Octavia Wagon TDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch (manual and DSG six-speed automatic)
(contact a Skoda dealer for pricing information)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Optional
CD Player: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Skoda Octavia TDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.968 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 18.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 81.0 mm x 95.5 mm
Maximum Power: 103 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 320 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed DSG
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4569 mm
Wheelbase: 2575 mm
Width: 1769 mm
Height: 1533 mm
Turning Circle: 10.2 metres
Kerb Mass: 1540 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
Towing Ability: 650 kg (1300 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, lower triangular links, torsion stabiliser
Rear Suspension: Multi-element axle, one longitudinal and three transverse links, torsion stabiliser
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 9.7 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 5.7 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000 km |
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