The Skoda Octavia has proven hugely popular with Irish buyers since it first appeared in 1998 attracting both private and fleet customers alike, writes Trish Whelan.
Skoda in Ireland say this new fourth generation of the model ‘is the best Octavia of all time’, more spacious, practical and safer than ever before.
Sixty years after production of the Octavia started in 1959, Skoda is now unveiling the best model yet since its re-launch in 1996 and believe that this new Octavia ‘will continue to be the brand’s heart and engine as well as its top volume model’.
With more than 6.5 million units produced, Octavia is the best selling Skoda ever. Customers buy it for the amount of space it offers and for its value for money including its good residual values.
The new car is also longer and wider than the previous generation model. The hatchback is 19mm and the Combi (estate) 22mm longer now; width has increased by 15mm.
Boot space, the largest in the segment with the Combi’s increased by 30 litres to 640 litres while the hatchback can now take 600 litres.
The new interior combines big space with high-quality materials and clever details as well as a redesigned multi-level dashboard at different levels featuring a large, free-standing central display. A new two-spoke steering wheel can be heated as an option. There’s a choice of four infotainment systems from screens of 8.25 to 10-inches.
The 4.2-inch 16-colour display comes as standard while tri-zone Climatronic makes its debut in the model.
New Octavia is also more connected than ever.
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| Octavia Combi boot |
Innovative connectivity and new assistance systems raise comfort and safety to an even higher level and a whole range of new safety systems like Collision-Avoidance Assist, Turn Assist, Exit Warning and the local Traffic Warning function also make their debut in the new model.
Powertrains will deliver anything from 110hp to 204hp. The 1.5 150bhp TSI petrol will be offered initially with the 1.0 TSI versions arriving later. A 2.0 TDI diesel with 150bhp and 7-speed DSG transmission will be offered initially with the 1.0 TSI versions arriving later. Diesel-wise a 2.0L 150bhp with 7-speed DSG transmission will be offered while the familiar 1.6 TDI 115bhp diesel will make way for a 2.0 TDI variant with the same power output.
For the first time, the line-up will include a plug-in-hybrid, called the Octavia iV (like the Superb iV) while the diesel engines come from the latest EVO generation and emit up to 80pc less nitrogen oxide.
Raymond Leddy, Skoda Ireland Head of Marketing, says there are still around 56,000 Octavia cars on Irish roads today and nearly 19,000 of these have been bought since 2015. He believes this new model will see the car straddle a number of segments, and potentially worrying some more traditionally executive-segment rivals.
Irish specifications have yet to be finalised but with Irish customers looking for higher specced models, Skoda is expected to discontinue the entry Active version and offer Ambition and Style trims from launch.
New Octavia will be available in Ireland from 8 June 2020. Prices have yet to be confirmed but are estimated to be starting less than €29,000 for the hatchback 2.0 TDI 115bhp Ambition version.
