Skoda Octavia I test drive - 2010 -

Formula of freedom

4x4 - it would seem an elementary formula. But how she liberates how much freedom behind her, space! How the car is transformed, such a nameplate should appear on his body! Rkoda Octavia Combi 4x4 is a bright confirmation of this.
 
The updated Octavia with a body of the station wagon has changed much in August 2000. New bumpers, headlights and rear lights appeared. Otherwise, Rkoda is the same solid, convenient car as before. In this case, we were interested in all -wheel drive, which is equipped with Octavia Combi.
 
As if by order, Frost hit the dough day. Mela a blizzard, and since the snow at the end of February was a complete surprise for utilities, only KamAZ and SUVs could soon move around the city. The drivers of other cars had to hone the skill of work in difficult conditions. Even studded rubber did not save many. The pace of movement on the streets fell sharply.
 
The advantages of all -wheel drive on our car were affected at the first intersection. Despite the fact that Rkoda Octavia was shod in summer tires, the start from her place was better than neighboring cars. Having quickly checked four wheels, the station wagon without the slightest departure to the side began to accelerate vigorously, while the rivals were still led with his nose or wrapped in the stern.
 
The stable behavior of the car with intense start on slippery coating is provided by two things. The first is a system that synchronizing the speed of rotation of all wheels. The second is a constant full -wheel drive up to fifty kilometers per hour. This is later smart electronics tolerates all torque to the front axle.
 
Such a transmission work is justified. Agree, there are times when all -wheel drive is already necessary on the first centimeters of the path (if loose snow, dry sand, a modest primer and the like under the wheels). It is very important in these situations to prevent even a slight slipping of the wheels, otherwise you can immediately be captured. Of course, it is not bad when all the wheels enter work only if necessary, but, alas, they do not always keep up with the development of road events - especially among cars equipped with Wytheft.
 
Another principle of connecting and disconnecting the rear axle is applied to Octavia: hydraulics are responsible for this, and the electronics controls the process and makes adjustments as necessary.
 
During the test, we have never stuck in a seriously. Even when the level of snow reached the bumper, the car confidently moved forward, shocking the onlookers with its phenomenal cross -country ability.
 
The system actively contributed to this that imitates the blocking of inter -normal differentials. As soon as one of the wheels turned out, the electronics immediately braked it, allowing another to grab onto the solid soil.
 
However, Octavia is still not an SUV, but an all -wheel drive station wagon. Therefore, do not think that he will become an alternative to the uasa or field. First of all, this car was created to drive asphalt, where all -wheel drive is needed, rather, for traffic safety along a slippery road than for courage.
 
I must say, the car is very dynamic. The gas pedal crushed, and after nine seconds - a hundred. The capacities of the 150-horsepower turbo engine are enough for the eyes and by the ears. Badly audible at idle, he discovers his presence only during a sharp start, and even then only a whistle of the turbine. And although we could not accelerate to maximum speed (due to bad weather), we are sure that with such a Rkoda Octavia engine, it will easily gain the declared 210 kilometers per hour.
 
In turns, the station wagon does not present surprises when inaccurate handling of the gas pedal, like many other machines of this class. Whatever happens, Octavia behaves exclusively as a front -wheel drive car with characteristic insufficient rotation and demolition of the front axle.
 
A person who has traveled on the front -wheel drive and subsequently moved to Octavia 4x4 will not have to retrain. In an extreme situation, it will act automatically, according to the scheme worked out for years, and this will affect the safety of the movement.

 
Having experienced the station wagon, perhaps, in the worst road conditions for our city, we were able to feel all the advantages of all -wheel drive. The car never got out of obedience. Even the disconnected stabilization system of the ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) targeted stability was lightning speed as soon as the driver began to lose control of the car.
 
A comfortable salon, a painful engine, a clear steering, a voluminous trunk, a good heater, and most importantly, exceptional cross -country ability lift the Rkoda Octavia Combi 4x4 Turbo to a new height. In the Elegance configuration, the car will cost the buyer $ 21 thousand. In our opinion, he costs this money.
 
Technical characteristics of Skoda Oktavia Combi 4x4 Turbo
 
Body - 5 -door carrier O number of places, people. - 5 o equipped mass, kg - 1413 o dimensions (length/width/height), mm - 4513/1731/1472 O Base, mm - 2520 o maximum speed, km/h - 210 O time of acceleration to 100 km/h, C - 9.3 O Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km: city cycle - 10.4; suburban - 6.9 O engine: in order, 4 -cylinder; working volume, cm3 - 1781; Power, L.S. at MIN -1 - 150/5700; Twisting, NM at MIN-1-210/1750-4600; Power system - injection + turbocharged o transmission - 5 -speed, mechanical, all -wheel drive O size of tires - 205/55R16 O Wheel suspension - Independent O brakes: front - disk, Vent.; Rear - disk ohille control - gear -rake, with hydraulic power steering about price, $ - 21,000.
 
Text: Oleg Kalaushin
 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [04/2001]