ŠKODA OCTAVIA: More than a liftback

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA model is traditionally called the heart of the brand. With each new generation, the OCTAVIA becomes better, richer and more beautiful. For more than twenty years, it has been the locomotive of ŠKODA sales not only in Russia, but also around the world. How the fourth generation of ŠKODA OCTAVIA differs from the previous one, read in the review of “Yuzhny Avtomobil”.

The previous three generations of ŠKODA OCTAVIA were also presented on the Russian market and were always in high demand. The car, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, sold 7 million units worldwide and in the first The continued success of the OCTAVIA is confirmed by numerous automobile awards and prizes, including victory in the Product Design category of the international design award Red Dot Award, the title of Car of the Year according to the British magazine Auto Express, as well as first place in the Middle Class category of the Russian Car of the Year 2020 award. In addition, the OCTAVIA, like many other representatives of the Czech line, received the maximum five stars in the Euro NCAP rating (an independent European program for assessing the safety of new cars).

The new model is unmistakably recognizable as a ŠKODA OCTAVIA, although the design has changed dramatically. The double headlights have been replaced by wedge-shaped optics in the style of the flagship ŠKODA SUPERB liftback. The new OCTAVIA already comes with LED optics in the basic configuration, including fog lights. The top versions are equipped with matrix headlights instead of LED ones. The modern design of the matrix headlights instantly attracts attention.

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA is assembled at the GAZ Group plant in Nizhny Novgorod using the complete knock-down (CKD) method and meets high international standards. Finished parts and components for future cars arriving at the production site undergo welding, double priming, anti-corrosion treatment with hot wax and a proprietary compound from the Volkswagen Group. The next stage is the final assembly of the model, which includes, among other things, the installation of the engine, gearbox, glass gluing, panel and seat assembly.

Despite the fact that the new model is built on the same platform as the previous model, the car has become 19 mm longer and 15 mm wider. The second-row passengers now have more legroom in the cabin. OCTAVIA liftbacks have always been famous for their roomy trunk. In the new generation, it has become even more spacious. Its volume has increased from 568 to 578 liters.

In the new generation, the base engine for the OCTAVIA remains the naturally aspirated 1.6 MPI engine with a capacity of 110 horsepower. It is paired with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The dynamic 1.4 TSI engine with a capacity of 150 horsepower has also been preserved, but if previously it was equipped with a DSG robot, now it is equipped with a classic eight-speed automatic.

The top turbo engine with a working volume of two liters produces a power of 190 horsepower, it replaced the 1.8 TSI power unit. A seven-speed DSG gearbox with two clutches works in tandem with the most powerful engine. While versions with a 1.4 TSI engine are available for purchase, the basic and top OCTAVIA will go on sale at the official dealer “AAA Motors Center” next year. The version with “mechanics” can accelerate to 100 km / h in 8.1 s, and with an eight-speed “automatic” – in 9.0 s, the maximum speed is 227 and 223 km / h, respectively. Thanks to direct fuel injection and turbocharging technologies, the 1.4 TSI engine will please owners with excellent vehicle dynamics and surprisingly low fuel consumption: in combination with an automatic transmission, it is only 5.5 l / 100 km.

The new OCTAVIA is safe, comfortable and dynamic, and also has an attractive European design. OCTAVIA is good both as a family car and as a corporate car. Versatility, reliability and low maintenance costs are also among the traditional advantages of the most famous ŠKODA model. The new OCTAVIA is offered with equipment more typical of senior cars. You have access to an electric tailgate, adaptive cruise control, advanced media systems with a screen diagonal of up to 10 inches. There is more free space on the center console. The parking brake lever has disappeared – the “handbrake” is now electromechanical, in the form of a button. Instead of the usual automatic transmission selector, there is a small joystick: the transmission control has become fully electronic.

The model was previously praised for its spacious second row, and in the new generation, there is even a little more knee room for passengers. By the way, all three seats in the second row are equipped with headrests, seat belts with sensors for their use: the driver will immediately notice if one of the passengers forgets to fasten their seat belts. As before, the rear seats are optionally equipped with heating, but a separate climate zone for second-row passengers is a new option. A wide armrest with built-in cup holders can be removed from the back of the seat, and a hatch for transporting long items, such as skis, is hidden behind the armrest.

The two-spoke steering wheel is trimmed with leather and has electric heating that can be adjusted in intensity. The buttons on the steering wheel allow you to control the media system, standard navigation, connected mobile phone and electronic assistants without being distracted from the road. Or call for help from the voice assistant – there is a separate button for this. Under the steering wheel there may be paddles for manual gear shifting in an automatic transmission – its presence is indicated by a compact lever on the center console.

There are several infotainment systems, one of which is traditionally called Columbus. It – however, like the head unit, which is one step below, Bolero, – has a large 10-inch high-resolution touch screen, which provides a premium look for the interior and a very rich picture, easy to read in any lighting.

Columbus and Bolero are controlled by touching the display, voice, gestures, and also – check it out! — via a slider located under the screen.
All media systems offered for the new OCTAVIA, including the most affordable, Swing, with an 8-inch touchscreen, have a tuner with improved reception in the FM range, display radio station logos — icons are added automatically or manually, play audio recordings in a variety of formats — from simple MP3 to almost studio-quality FLAC.

A real media combine — again, Columbus: it even shows video. A valuable quality for those users who, for one reason or another, spend a lot of time in a parked car. In any new OCTAVIA, you can easily connect a mobile phone for hands-free conversations: a wireless Bluetooth channel and an external microphone are standard. Other external devices, from flash drives to hard drives, can be connected via progressive Type C USB ports. The USB ports in the front row can also be used to establish a connection between the car and smartphone using the SmartLink function.

This means that a mobile device with Internet access will provide online information about traffic jams, the location of objects of interest to you, and the weather — the data will be displayed on the central display, which is the most convenient way for the driver. Mobile devices running the two most common operating systems are supported — iOS (Apple) and Android. The smart online voice assistants of these systems — Google Assistant and Siri — also remain available. To call them, simply press the corresponding button on the central display of the car or on the steering wheel. The cost of the new product starts at 1,409,000 rubles. AAA Motors Center invites you to personally get acquainted with the brand new ŠKODA OCTAVIA on December 5 and 6 at the address Rostov-on-Don, pr-t. Teatralny 60b/341.