A better, more spacious, safer, more connected, and more emotive than ever fourth generation Octavia will go on sale next July, according to Skoda Ireland,
It will be wider than its predecessor, has an even larger boot, and is even more emotive, thanks to the new Skoda design language.
The Czech carmaker (part of the Volkswagen group ) says the new interior concept combines an excellent amount of space and outstanding functionality with high-quality materials and clever details. And that innovative connectivity and new assistance systems will raise comfort and safety to an even higher level.
The new Octavia has grown further and, thanks to new proportions and the latest developments in Skoda’s design language, is even more emotive and dynamic than its successful predecessor. At a length of 4,689mm, the hatchback is 19mm and the Combi (estate ) is 22mm longer than the third-generation model. Its width has increased by 15mm.
The Combi’s boot capacity, which is the largest in the segment, has increased by 30 litres to 640 litres. The hatchback has a capacity of 600 litres – 10 litres more than the previous generation.
The new front apron and the razor-sharp, narrower, new headlights are a visual delight and feature LED technology for low beam, high beam and daytime running lights as standard. The tail lights, brake lights and fog lights make use of LED technology as well.
The newly designed, shallow roof rails emphasise the elongated silhouette of the new Octavia Combi, while the hatchback looks almost like a coupé.
Alloy wheels measuring up to 19 inches lend all of the model variants powerful appearance. Crystal Black, Lava Blue and Titanium Blue have been newly added to the range of paint finishes; a Chrome and a Dynamic package will be optional extras.
In the newly designed interior, the Octavia offers a new two-spoke steering-wheel, which can be heated as an option and if ordered as a multifunction variant - comes with new control buttons and knurled scroll wheels, allowing drivers to operate a total of 14 different functions without removing their hands.
The dashboard, which has also been redesigned, is modular and has been arranged in different levels, featuring a large, free-standing central display. The centre console is elegant, uncluttered and adorned with chrome details – as are the new door trims and handles. New and soft-touch materials lend the interior a premium look, while the new LED ambient lighting provides a special visual touch for the front doors and dashboard by indirectly illuminating them in a choice of 10 different colours – even in a variety of colours if desired. Coordinated lighting scenarios can also be selected.
The new Octavia promises to offer a choice of four infotainment systems from the latest generation with screens measuring from 8.25 to 10 inches.
The new Octavia is the first Skoda to use shift-by-wire technology for operating the DSG, which electronically transmits the driver’s gear selection to the transmission. In place of the familiar DSG lever, there is therefore a new control module located in the centre console with a small rocker switch for selecting the drive modes as well as a button for the parking mode.
Innovative full LED matrix headlights are available as an option, allowing the driver to leave the high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users.
For the first time, the line-up includes a plug-in hybrid, the Octavia iV. Some of the petrol engines, which have been further optimised, are now equipped with innovative mild hybrid technology, while the diesel engines come from the latest EVO generation and emit up to 80 per cent less nitrogen oxide. The wide range of powertrains delivering anything from 81kW (110PS ) to 150kW (204PS ) is complemented by the OCTAVIA G-TEC. With 17.7kg of natural gas (CNG ) in its tanks, this car can cover up to 523km in its eco-friendly and efficient CNG mode. In the OCTAVIA iV, a 1.4 TSI petrol engine and an electric motor deliver a combined power output of 150kW (204PS ). With a capacity of 37Ah providing 13kWh of energy, the high-voltage lithium-ion battery allows for an all-electric range of up to 55km in the WLTP cycle.
The eTEC variants fitted with latest EVO-generation 1.0 TSI or 1.5 TSI petrol engines feature mild hybrid technology when equipped with DSG. Using a 48-volt belt-driven starter motor and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, it is possible to recover brake energy, support the combustion engine by providing it with an electric boost, and to coast with the engine completely switched off.
The EVO diesel engines apply a new ‘twin dosing’ exhaust gas treatment, where AdBlue is injected specifically in front of the two catalytic converters that are arranged one after the other. Dynamic chassis control, which is optional, now comes with slider controls within the different driving modes, allowing drivers to change individual parameters such as the suspension, damping and steering characteristics or the operation of the DSG to suit their preferences.
