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The 'Škoda Octavia' is a Small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and estate body styles. A common misconception is that the Octavia is a saloon due to its long boot.

Contents

First generation (1996-present)

Engines

Second generation (2004-present)

Engines

Comparisons

References

External links

First generation (1996-present)

The first generation Octavia was released in 1996 and was built on the same chassis as the Audi A3 I, VW Golf IV, VW Bora/Jetta IV and SEAT León I/Toledo II. Despite being based on the Golf's floorpan, its large rear overhang makes it actually closer in external length to the large family cars like the Ford Mondeo and Opel Vectra.
UK sales began in 1998 and the car was an instant success with buyers who appreciated its solidity, refinement and value for money, though it couldn't quite match the success of established favourites such as the Mondeo, Vectra and Peugeot 406.
The first generation Octavia had a facelift in 2000^[1], and is still manufactured and marketed in some markets. In those markets, the first-generation Octavia is still known as Octavia, and the newer model is referred to as the new Octavia or Laura. In Germany, and other parts of West Europe, as well as Asia, the older model is marketed as the Octavia Tour, while the newer model is marketed as the Octavia. The major difference between the two is the interior.
The vRS, being the top-level and quickest specification, is a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine which produces 180 bhp, similar to the Audi TT's first engine. Skoda made a limited amount of 100 WRC Replica Cars worldwide in 2002, these differ to normal vRS Octavias, as they are produced in White, have rally decals and have additional accessories as standard (such as ESP, xenon lights, heated front seats).

Engines

The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group.

★ '1.4' - 75 bhp (56 kW)

★ '1.6' - 75 bhp (56 kW) / 100 bhp (75 kW) / 102 bhp (76 kW) (8v)

★ 1.6L DOHC engine can hit from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.0 sec., and reach 187 km/h as top speed MT.

★ 1.6L DOHC engine can hit from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.9 sec., and reach 181 km/h as top speed AT.

★ '1.8' - 125 bhp (93 kW)

★ '1.8 T' - 150 bhp (112 kW) / 180 bhp (134 kW) for vRS-version

★ '1.9 TDI' - 90 bhp (67 kW) / 100 bhp (75 kW) / 105 bhp (78 kW) / 110 bhp (82 kW) / 115 bhp (86 kW) / 130  bhp (97 kW)

★ '1.9 TDI PD 130' - for Elegance / Laurin and Klement Models 2003 On

★ '1.9 SDI' - 75 bhp (56 kW)

★ '2.0' - 115 bhp (86 kW)

Second generation (2004-present)

The second generation was introduced in 2004 based on the A platform also used by other Volkswagen Group cars, including the Audi A3 II, VW Golf V, SEAT León II, SEAT Altea, VW Golf Plus, VW Touran and VW Passat VI. Along with a new engine range, also shared with other models of the Volkswagen Group, body changes included more legroom for rear seat passengers (a weak point in the original model) and increased ground clearance at front and rear to reduce the risk of grounding on steep ramps or facing kerbs.
In India, the second-generation Octavia is marketed as the 'Laura' to distinguish it from the first generation^[2].
An off-road version of the Octavia was announced in the third quarter of 2006 under the name Octavia Scout^[3]. Only available with the estate body style, the Octavia Scout features a Haldex four-wheel drive, which is based on a computer-controlled clutch-based center-differential. The Octavia Scout offers 24 mm higher ground clearance than standard versions. The Scout model offers an additional 16 mm for a total 40 mm higher ground clearance than the standard versions.

Engines

★ '1.4 MPI' - 75 bhp (56 kW)

★ '1.6 MPI' - 102 bhp (76 kW) (8v)

★ 1.6L DOHC engine can hit from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.2 sec., and reach 186 km/h as top speed MT

★ 1.6L DOHC engine can hit from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.0 sec., and reach 182 km/h as top speed AT

★ '1.6 FSI' - 115 bhp (86 kW)

★ '2.0 FSI' - 150 bhp (112 kW)

★ '2.0 FSI Turbo' - 200 bhp (149 kW) (Octavia vRS 2006)

★ '1.9 TDI PD' - 105 bhp (78 kW)

★ '2.0 TDI' - 140 bhp (104 kW)

★ '2.0 TDI' - 170 bhp (127 kW) (Octavia vRS Diesel Nov 2006)

Comparisons

The German automobile TV show ''Auto Motor und Sport'' compared the Škoda Octavia with its cousin, the Volkswagen Golf Mark V and concluded that the Škoda Octavia was slightly better than the Volkswagen Golf owing to a little more interior space and other specific ergonomics, better build quality, better driveability and a lower price.
Along with other Škodas, the Czech-built Octavia has been a markedly reliable vehicle, more so than the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf with which it shares platforms. In 2006 Warranty Direct, a UK-based provider of mechanical warranties for used cars, rated Škoda the top manufacturer (above Mazda and Honda), while Audi came seventh from bottom. The Octavia specifically had a reliability index of 32.74 (lower being more reliable) while the Golf produced over the same period was 87.28 and the Audi A3 99.43.

References

1. Skoda Octavia Review Times Online
2. Skoda - Octavia/Laura Auto.moldova.org
3. Skoda Octavia Scout Arrives (UK) WorldCarFans

External links

★ Škoda Auto Škoda website