[Auto] The new Skoda Octavia reveals its strengths

[G R 4 V E N ⵣ]

 

Over time, the Octavia has become more attractive to face its rivals. With a habitability adapted to family life, the Czech sedan has also not failed to retain the performance niche with its RS version.
 This fourth generation has introduced hybrid-rechargeable engines in addition to the 100% thermal catalog.

 

The look and dimensions of the Skoda Octavia

 

Wise shapes no longer define the Skoda universe.
 If the third generation had paved the way for more marked lines, especially during restyling, the fourth generation drives the point home. Sharp look, salient lines, receding roof... The Octavia still asserts itself to seduce and plays the mini Superb . 
The RS version is dressed in specific shields, large-diameter rims or even black exterior inserts for a more aggressive effect.
 The trunk hook persists, to give the car the statutory look of a three-volume, but opens in the form of a tailgate. In this regard, the station wagon is still in the catalog with its generous trunk but it is nonetheless longer than the sedan: 4.69 m for both bodies.
The Scout version raises the station wagon by 15 mm and gives it raw plastic protections on the shields, wheel arches and sills.

More attractive on the outside, but also on the inside. The very (too?) serious presentation of the previous version gives way to a slightly more personal design, less attached to that of the Volkswagen Passat cousin .
 The dashboard is fluid with a sober and modern design. To compete with the Peugeot 508 and Renault Talisman , the Czech is full of technology with, to start with, a 10-inch touch screen (8 standard) and a Digital Cockpit present from the second finish.
The driving aids include the essentials from the entry level with the Front Assist or the lane keeping assistant.
 Not the following equipment is expanded with the adaptive cruise control, the fatigue detector or the hill start assistance.

In terms of habitability, it's XXL for the Octavia. With 600 dm3 of trunk, it fines the Opel Insigna (490 dm3), Mazada 6 (480 dm3) as well as the two French competitors mentioned above , all of which are larger.
 The station wagon increases the capacity by 40 dm3.
On the other hand, the hybrid-rechargeable version iV is less welcoming with respectively 450 and 490 dm3 for the sedan and the station wagon.

 

The internal combustion engines of the Skoda Octavia

 

Under the hood the Octavia contains a summary of the Volkswagen group's most po[CENSORED]r petrol engines. The smallest block, a three-cylinder 1.0 TSI of 110 hp, is supported by four-cylinder 1.5 TSI of 150 hp and 2.0 TSI of 190.
 They offer the choice between a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, except the most powerful directly delivered in automatic. It is also the only one with all-wheel drive. The 110 and 150 hp TSIs in DSG7 offer light hybridization.

For diesel, no complication. The range is exclusively made up of four-cylinder 2.0 TDI engines with 116, 150 and 200 hp. The first two also leave the choice between a manual or automatic transmission while the 200 hp version only offers the DSG7.
 On the latter, four-wheel drive is standard and optional on the TSI 150 DSG7.

All this panoply is completed by a 1.5 TGI of 131 hp which runs on gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). Only the DSG7 is available on this engine.

 

The plug-in hybrid version of the Skoda Octavia

 

This fourth generation inaugurated the hybrid for Skoda. What's more, rechargeable.
 It is a 1.4 TSI which officiates with an electric motor of 85 kW to offer a power of 204 hp, or even 245 hp for the iV RS version with a sporting vocation.
The 13 kWh battery (10.4 useful kWh) promises a range of between 61 and 85 km for the standard iV. 
The RS version displays between 59 and 86 km covered in all-electric. 
These two engines, already present on the Seat e-Leon and Volkswagen Golf eHybrid (204 hp) and GTE (245 hp), are mated to a 6-speed DSG sequential automatic or 6-speed manual gearbox.
 Recharging is done in 3h30 on a domestic socket.

 

 

The sporty RS version of the Skoda Octavia

 

One of the Octavia's strengths is its diversity under the hood.
 Alongside the engines for the general public, the Czech sedan has two supercharged blocks that make up the offer of the sporty RS version.
 On the program: a 245 hp 2.0 four-cylinder engine coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox or DSG7.
 It only takes 6.8 s for the station wagon to erase the 0 to 100 km. The maximum speed is limited to 250 km.
The big wheels are not forgotten with a 200 hp 2.0 TDI diesel version. Admittedly, it does not offer the mechanical gearbox, but it does offer four-wheel drive as an option.

 

 

The main equipment of the Skoda Octavia

 

Standard on Active, the Octavia features LED taillights, LED daytime running lights, power-adjustable door mirrors, keyless entry and start, automatic climate control, 8-inch touchscreen inches, four electric windows, cruise control/speed limiter , Front Assist, lane keeping assistant (Lane Assist) and small leather pack (steering wheel and gear lever knob).
Ambition reinforces this base with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, Digital Cockpit, heated multifunction steering wheel, visibility pack (automatic headlights, rain sensor, electrochromatic interior mirror), hill start assist , reversing radars and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems.
 The iV version also has a 10-inch touch screen, E-call emergency call, 18-inch rims and a driving mode selector.
Sportline is equipped with LED front fog lights, LED rear lights with scrolling indicators, fatigue detector, 10-inch touch screen, heated leather sports steering wheel with paddles , aluminum pedals, assistance in the front parking lot, the reversing camera and adaptive cruise control.
The Style finish is distinguished by chrome inserts on the outside, leather upholstery and heated front seats.
Finally , the thunderous RS is equipped with a specific body kit, Full Crystal LED headlights with Matrix LED technology and auto-adaptive lighting , 18-inch rims, sports seats, heated sports steering wheel with paddles (on DSG), high-pressure headlight washers and carbon-style decorative inserts.
In parallel with this muscular version, the Scout has its own equipment. In addition to the Style finish, this adventurous bodywork adds hill start assistance with descent control , wooden inserts, high-pressure headlight washers, aluminum pedals as well as specific upholstery and body kit.