Å koda Octavia

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.

First generation (1996-2004)

The first generation Octavia was released in 1996 and was built on the VW A platform.

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 could not quite match the success of established favourites such as the Mondeo, Vectra and Peugeot 406. Template:Fact

The first generation Octavia had a facelift in 2000 and is still manufactured and marketed in some markets, even though the second generation was introduced in 2004. 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. In some markets, the first-generation Octavia is still known as Octavia, and the newer model is referred to as the new Octavia, Octavia5 (Greece) or Laura (India). The major improvements in the new is the independent rear suspension and improved interior (in space, design and quality of materials).

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)

File:Skoda Octavia Combi rear 20071125.jpg

2004-2008 Škoda Octavia II

File:Škoda Octavia Scout.JPG

Škoda Octavia Scout

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 and VW Touran. 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.

An off-road version of the Octavia was announced in the third quarter of 2006 under the name Octavia Scout. 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 4x4 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

There are several engine options available:

• 1.4 MPI - 80 hp (59 kW) (badged 1.4 16V in some countries)
• 1.6 MPI - 102 hp (75 kW)
• 1.6 FSI - 115 hp (85 kW)
• 1.8 TFSI - 160 hp (118 kW) (badged TSI in some countries)
• 2.0 FSI - 150 hp (110 kW)
• 2.0 TFSI - 200 hp (147 kW) (Octavia vRS 2006)
• 1.9 TDI PD - 105 hp (77 kW)
• 2.0 TDI PD- 140 hp (103 kW)
• 2.0 TDI - 170 hp (125 kW) (Octavia vRS Diesel Nov 2006)
• 1.3 MPI - 67 hp (50 kW) (Designed specialy for Lithuania police departament. From outside it apears like 2.0FSI with minor diferences)

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.

The British automobile magazine and TV/radio show Top Gear in their 2006 survey placed the first generation Octavia into 3rd place and was described as a masterpiece of dependability. The second generation was too new to be included in the survey.

The British automobile magazine Auto Express awarded to the second generation Octavia the gold medal in their prestigious Driver Power top 100, stating that it is the UK'’s most satisfying car to own in 2007 and that it has bettered every other car on sale in the UK.

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.

External links

• Škoda Auto Škoda website