This is the new Skoda Octavia, the third generation of the firm’s successful family hatchback. Revealed at the Geneva motor show, it’s larger than before and is claimed to provide class-leading interior space.
Based on the stretched version of the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB platform, the Octavia is now 4659mm long, an increase of 90mm over its predecessor. Width is up by 45mm to 1814mm, but the real gain is in the wheelbase, which has grown by 108mm to 2686mm.
The enlarged size keeps the Octavia in its unusual position of being larger than its perceived rivals (Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra) but not as big as a car from the class above. It’s 125mm shorter than a Ford Mondeo, for example.
The new Octavia has what Skoda claims is class-leading interior space, with 1782mm of interior length, and increased head, knee and legroom for front and rear passengers. Boot space is also up, albeit by just five litres to 590. It’s still the largest in its class, easily beating the Golf’s 380 litres.
The entry-level engine is a 1.4 TSI with 120bhp and 147lb ft. There is also a more powerful 1.4 with 138bhp and 184lb ft. Initially, the range-topping petrol model will be the 1.8 TSI, with 177bhp and 184lb ft. A few months after launch, the 2.0-litre turbo engine from the Golf GTI will be introduced in a hot new Octavia vRS.
The diesels kick off with a 103bhp 1.6, and there’s a frugal 108bhp Greenline version of the 1.6 that returns a claimed 83mpg and emits 89g/km of CO2. Two 2.0 TDIs are also on offer, with 147bhp and 181bhp.
The vRS will surface next July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. As with the current Octavia, both petrol and diesel vRS models will be offered.
Six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes will be available, and it’s thought that the DSG has been redesigned to take higher torque outputs.
An estate will join the range next May, and four-wheel-drive models, including a rugged Scout, will arrive in 2014.
Inside, the new dashboard is much crisper than today’s, and the Golf-based architecture is obvious. There’s a touchscreen multimedia system, keyless start and entry and plenty of small, clever touches, such as rubbish bins in the doors and a reversible boot floor, with carpet on one side and rubber on the other. Higher equipment levels include a lane departure warning system and a pop-up bonnet to improve pedestrian safety.
The new Octavia will go on sale next March. Prices are set to rise slightly compared with the current range, which starts at about £14,000.
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Great Value for Money!
The car looks great! I love it, you get great vale for your money. What more can you ask for such a low price. The spare parts are easy to find and are cheap.
Drunken Passengers car of choice!
Can't wait to try this out as back seat passenger mullured after another cracking night out.
Great Value
Skoda have thrown off the old jokes and now they are laughing at the competition. This again is another excellent vehicle and the already good interior space is being improved even more (whilst much of the competition seem to be struggling in this respect) Hopefull next year my company will have a couple of vRS on the fleet and if they do a 4wd version of the vRS I would be chasing the keys for it.