Škoda Octavia

The Škoda Octavia is a compact car produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996. The Octavia is available in hatchback and estate body styles. A Common misconception is that the Octavia is a saloon due to its large boot.

Recent Changes

 * For MY 2009, the Octavia receives its first extensive mid-cycle facelift and interior upgrade. The new car is styled to be more in line with the design philosophy of the Skoda Roomster and the new Skoda Superb.

Engine and Transmission
Skoda Octavia is available in both the petrol and diesel option with 5 Speed Manual Transmission fully synchronized Gearbox that is totally harmonized with the engines of Octavia. The petrol version of Skoda Octavia is packed with 1.8L, 1798 cc, turbocharged petrol engine .The 20 V DOHC engine is packed with 5 Speed Manual Transmission gearbox which is very fuel efficient and offers a very comfort driving without any noise and vibrations. This petrol engine of Skoda Octavia delivers an impressive power of 150 bhp at 5700 rpm and a maximum torque of 210 Nm at 1750- 4600 rpm.

The diesel variant of Skoda Octavia is equipped with 1.9 L turbocharged diesel engine with turbocharger self aligning blades and is endowed with high pressure direct injection system in combination with 5 Speed Manual Transmission gearbox which makes the driving experience very smooth and hassle free with classic fuel efficiency and amazingly good performance. The in line type diesel engine of Skoda Octavia produce a maximum power of 90 bhp at 4000 rpm and a maximum torque of 210 Nm at 1900 rpm.

First generation (1996-2004)
The first generation Octavia was manufactured from 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, the Octavia was rated as the best car for 2004 compared with the Passat and the SEAT Toledo.

The first generation Octavia had a facelift in 2001, 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. In India, the newer model is marketed as the 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 newer one had interior that is, most people claim, laid out better and designed with more sense, and resembles cars of the Volkswagen Group rather than the dull interior of the old Škodas.

Second generation (2004-2008)
A new model 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, 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.

An off-road version of the Octavia was announced in autumn / fall 2006 under the name Octavia Scout. The estate version of the Octavia can already be delivered with four-wheel drive - using the Haldex-system - which is based on a computer-controlled clutch-based center-differential. The Octavia 4x4 offers ground clearance some 24mm higher than standard versions; the Scout model offering an additional 16mm ground clearance again, some 40mm greater in total than standard versions.

A facelift in 2009 made the front of the car more sharper and dynamic.

Engines
The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group. For the 1996-2004a-versions of the Octavia, the most common engines are:

For the second generation Octavia (2004b-):
 * 1.4 MPI - 75 bhp (56 kW)
 * 1.6 MPI - 102 bhp (76 kW) (8v)
 * 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)

Main Competitors

 * Honda Civic
 * Chevrolet Optra
 * Volkswagen Jetta
 * Toyota Corolla

Reliability
The German automobile TV show Auto Motor und Sport compared the Škoda Octavia with its cousin, the Volkswagen Golf Mark 5 and concluded that the Škoda Octavia was a tad better than the Volkswagen Golf owing to a little more interior space and other specific ergonomics and a relatively cheaper price.

Along with other Škodas, the Octavia has been a markedly reliable vehicle, more so than the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf with which it shares a platform. 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.

Interior
Luggage capacities

Liftback: 560 litres

Wagon: 580 litres

Criticisms
"Quality engineering garnished with a crap badge". - Top Gear

Worldwide
The Skoda Octavia first went on sale in Australia in 2007 with trim levels Ambiente, Elegance, Scout and RS with a range of engine choices including a 1.8L TSI petrol, 1.9L TDI diesel and two turbocharged 2.0L engines petrol and diesel. The 6 speed Manual is standard across the range but the 6 speed DSG is a $2,000 option. The Octavia Scout was added in 2008. However, sales were slow.

Design quirks & oddities
Some Octavia wagons were used as patrol vehicles in the Le Tour de France.

Skoda engineers of Australia have modified with a wagon version of the Octavia RS and dubbed it an Octvia RS-P (P standing for project). The car is given bigger brakes, 14 way adjustable suspension, larger exhaust system and substantial bracing. With the new exhaust and with a new air filter, power has been lifted up to 154 kW (7 kW higher than stock standard). Motoring journalists were given track rides and verdicts and although the car suffers from understeer issues, handling is greatly improved. Skoda plans to further modify the Octavia RS-P in the future.