Skoda Octavia I test drive - 2010 -

A fight with a shadow

The previous generation Skoda Octavia was very popular. The current successes cannot yet boast of such successes, although you can’t call it a newcomer in the market. Let's try to understand the reasons.
 

Octavia write, Golf in the mind. But Skoda is significantly different from her direct relative. It differs in a paradoxical way - being more in size, in the Volkswagen table about the ranks, it stands a step below. Although no, already half a hundred. Such a disposition is accepted for developing countries, where buyers prefer more cars, but they can afford it easier. Hence the mimicry under the sedan - 37 cm superiority over the fifth Golf (the base of both machines is the same) went to the stretched tail - supposedly the third volume. But Octavia remained a hatchback. Remained by itself. Unfortunately, to too much. This could look like a deep restyling of the previous generation. And successful. Instead of direct ingenuous lines, Octavia received soft, harmonious features. The anterior optics became more aggressive, the back was rounded. In almost all angles, the car looks attractive. Thank God, nobody comes to the mind of an Ahinee like: Octavia is a pouring Passat (although such a comparison, of course, flattered the car). Nevertheless, the current Skoda, in my opinion, looks more solid Golf.
 

Inside, the feeling does not leave that all this has already been observed somewhere. In fact, it is clear where. Almost all interior elements are borrowed from the German bestseller. The full -time radio, the climate control unit, the windows of the windows ... Naturally, the ctavia also got the reference ergonomics.
 

In general, in the Octavia salon it will not be possible to find weak places and even more so punctures. But you should not look for highlights. There is nothing here that could crash into memory. The only contender for the title of the family attribute is the instrument shield, the German origin of which is skillfully hidden behind light green scales with small radiation digitization. Under the old days. Devices require some addiction, but generally sympathetic. And without a poisonous blue backlight.
 

Nevertheless, Skoda will have to put only Golf below: materials are cheaper, some solutions are easier. But this can be seen only upon closer examination. So the lag is implicit. The motor here is the simplest: 1.6 liters, 102 hp, eight valves, distributed injection. Yes, in the gamut of the Czech company there are more interesting offers, for example, a promising combination of a 2-liter turbodiesel with a DSG box. And in the gasoline line, the VW concern is now focusing on FSI technology. But it is worth recalling Russian market realities, and it becomes obvious that the 1.6-liter version is closest to the buyer. And he is not the most dull (option, not a buyer), in principle.
 

Octavia, of course, is heavy for a modest motor. Even Golf does not go very incendiary with him, and in Skoda, after all, weights are 80 kg more, and 16-inch winter wheels do not add to her abuse. But you can live. And if you twist the poor motor all the time almost to the limiter, you will get to portray something similar to a dynamic ride. True, only when there is nobody nearby - in the speed stream of overtaking and maneuvering will be given with difficulty. No, it’s better not to try to jump above your head, especially since it does not look quite adequate from the outside. Our Skoda is intended exclusively for calm movement. In the lower speed range, the engine demonstrates even traction, without vagaries and surprises.
 

A certain share of pleasure driving Octavia can be obtained from another. From a healthy chassis, from proper handling, from the exact work of the transmission. This is where the copy of Volkswagen is fully justified. A car is pleasing. And you sit comfortably - the chairs are hard, with a dense landing and the required range of adjustments. And you hold the steering wheel, as it should, the rim of the desired thickness and profile, adjustments - two. And the programs are switched perfectly - clearly, with short moves. With a 1.6-liter engine, only a 5-speed box is available, and there is also a 6-speed. The optimal settings of the electric power, coupled with a hard suspension, allow you to accurately feel the car in every bend and move confidently at high speed.
 

As an option, Skoda is equipped with a stabilization system (ESP). It can be disabled, but, given how often the electronics wakes up even on a dry road (the car was shut on studded rubber), this does not seem the most reasonable. Moreover, ESP works correctly. The brakes are reliable, but the drive requires great attentiveness when dosing the effort is slightly overdoing, and the car will make it possible to be dug, pecking with his nose. This is especially annoyed in a traffic light mode.
 

Octavia driver will clearly be satisfied. And passengers? Too. In terms of convenience of planting, the rear sofa is not inferior to the front chairs. And the legs for the legs compared to the previous Octavia has become even larger. Plus there is a central armrest, behind which is a hatch in the trunk, a dream of skiers. Thanks to the folding back, the cargo compartment can increase to incredible 1350 liters. But in the usual version, its volume is impressive - 560 liters. There are also a little thing that is to dissect - in the glove compartment, A4 format documents are easily obsessed, there are roomy pockets in the doors (which also look good), in the armrest - case, in the ceiling - a glass.
 

So, Octavia goes well, it looks - better than before, inside - almost Golf. What prevents Octavia from moving into sales champions? No matter how trite, price. A little inferior GOLF in a number of technical indicators, Skoda does not lag behind the price tag. In similar trim levels with a 1.6-liter engine, the cars are almost the same (not less than $ 20,000). In such a situation, there is a reason to prefer a richer and status Golf.
 

But this is not even the main thing. The main competitor of the new Octavia - Octavia is old. Sales of the previous generation model continue, as its production continues. Price - significantly lower (an average of $ 3000). Sellers carefully try to breed two Octavia - misleading customers, classify a new model for a higher class. But this is not so important for the buyer, and he prefers to pay less.
 

Skoda Octavia prices and equipment

Moscow dealers offer a new generation Skoda Octavia hatchback with 1.4 mpi gasoline engines (75 hp), 1.6 MPI (102 hp), 1.6 FSI (115 hp), 2.0 FSI (150 hp), as well as with diesels of 1.9 TDI (105 hp) and 2.0 TDI (140 hp). Transmissions-5-speed and 6-speed mechanics, 6-speed automatic and robotic DSG. Classic, Ambiente and Elegance options. Octavia Classic costs from $ 19 059 (1.4 l, manual transmission-5) to $ 28,277 (1.9 TDI, automatic). Ambiente equipment will cost the amount of $ 20,519 (1.4 l, manual transmission-5) to $ 31,055 (2.0 TDI, DSG). The price of Elegance ranges from $ 26,468 (1.6 l, manual transmission-5) to $ 34 569 (2.0 TDI, DSG).
 

Skoda Octavia 1.6 MPI model

Basin engine with injection

Working volume (see cubic meter) 1595

Quantity/location of cylinders 4, in a row

Power (L.S.) 102 (5600 rpm)

Moment (NM) 148 (3800 rpm)

Front drive

Mechanical gearbox 5-speed

Maximum speed (km/h) 190

Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 12.3

Fuel consumption (l/100 km):

according to the combined cycle 9.8
 

 

Text: Sergey Knowemsky
 
 

 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 12/2005]