Skoda Octavia I test drive - 2010 -

All -wheel drive

Skoda Octavia debuted in September 1996. The car was created on a single platform with Volkswagen-Golf IV. Since 1998, in addition to the sedan, a station wagon has been produced. Gasoline engines 1.4; 1.6; 1.8; 2.0 liters and three 1.9-liter diesel engines (atmospheric and two with boost) of varying degrees of force. The gearbox is a mechanical five -speed or automatic. There is an all -wheel drive modification.
 
It would be illogical if Skoda, successfully trying on all the advanced Volkswagenic technologies, abandoned the all -wheel drive transmission with the latest Huldex coupling (she recently appeared at the fourth -generation golf).
 
The will of the first -wheel drive strategists inherited this scheme of the Octavia Combi, that is, the station wagon, with a modest ninety diesel engine of 1.9TDI.
Outwardly, Octavia 4x4 does not stand out among its relatives adapted to the Russian conditions. The same body, the same dimensional tires 195/65R15, and only a modest nameplate on the fifth door gives its full -certain. Of course, if you put a car nearby on a low, European suspension (in Russia, most octavia are high, adapted), you will immediately note that the body is raised and the road clearance is increased. There are also no noticeable differences in the cabin - only a bright 4x4 inscription on the head of the box lever.
 
The first features are in the luggage compartment. The cargo compartment of the octavia is 4x4 clearly smaller, because under the floor of the body a multi -link suspension and an impressive size of the differential box, combined with a multi -disc clowing, which distributes torque through the axes.
 
Well, some loss of useful volume for the all -wheel drive is excusable, but for the station wagon ... Let's see if this is compensated by the capabilities of the car.
The diesel eagerly responds to the turn of the ignition key, filling the salon with an unexpectedly loud monotonous roar. Vibrations are very noticeable on the steering wheel, adhesion pedals and even upholstery. I remember that on the front-wheel drive diesel 110-horsepower octavia we did not celebrate such musicality. We add a little speed - vibrations disappear and the station wagon immediately becomes friendly and comfortable.
 
The engine capabilities are clearly modest for the all -wheel drive version of Octavia. His chopped ninety horses are enough only to calmly move the car in space. It is worth demanding more from the car, how you are faced with a lack of torque on the bottom, very noticeable due to the stretched gear rates of the transmission. So it turns out that until 2000 rpm you are looking forward to a turbocharger, and by 4000 rpm, the diesel is noticeably losing activity. There remains a rather narrow operating range, requiring frequent gear shifts in the city and on the highway.
 
The suspension of the all -wheel drive is also very peculiar. On even asphalt roads, it seems even unnecessarily tough: the impression is that all minor irregularities are transmitted to the body. But it is worthwhile to appear traditional for our road with a gentle wave, the fluctuations of the body are suddenly alarming with increased amplitudes.
 
On the dry and even coating of the reaction of our ward, it is simple, understandable and ... front -wheel drive. This is no wonder, because in fact, Octavia is 4x4 - a car with an automatically connected rear axle. Therefore, when driving without slipping and slipping on the front axis of the machine, almost all 100% torque are transmitted.
 
We turn on a slippery road. The first touch from the place allows you to taste all the advantages of four drive wheels. The front ones manage to cram a little, and then the coupling activates the rear bridge is triggered. Octavia, as if forgetting about a modest engine, as a spring -loaded breaks up. On a fragmented snow-watering coating, the car reaction is surprisingly stable and reliable. As if by rails, she is rebuilt from a row to a row during overtaking, confidently keeps the road on a straight line and in gentle turns. But do not cross the face of what is permitted. The surprise awaits at the first emergency braking - under the displeased chatter of the anti -lock system of the brakes, we are jigging past the desired denouement - the tires are summer!
 
Finally, we turn on a special winding track. Alas, Octavia does not like extreme driving. In quick turns, she first slips out the turn in front of the drive, sluggishly reacting to the corrective actions of the driver, and then, as if remembering the rear leading axis, suddenly falls into a deep skid. To correct it, the traction is no longer enough engine capabilities and you have to work pretty hard with the steering wheel ...
Having hit, we turn into a deep rut. Octavia confidently moves forward, despite the summer tires and not such a large road clearance, especially since the engine protection is steel, strong, not afraid of contact with the road. Of course, 4x4 Octavia is not for outright off-road, but this car allows you something.
 
It's time to summarize the impressions. Perhaps the all -wheel drive Octavia in such a performance meets well the concept of a family station wagon. In the SLX configuration with climate control and heated seats, it costs $ 22,400. A sort of calm, reliable and solid car management. There is only one but: the back of the fourth golf, to whom Octavia is a closest relative, is very crowded.
 
 
Sџkoda Octavia Combi 4x4
(manufacturer data)
General data: number of places - 5; equipped mass - 1420 kg; full weight - 1950 kg; maximum speed - 173 km/h; acceleration time 0-100 km/h - 15.2 s; Fuel consumption in conditional suburban and city cycles - 4.9/7.3 l/100 km. Engine: diesel, with direct fuel injection and turbocharged; location - in front transversely; the number of cylinders - 4; working volume - 1896 cm; cylinder diameter and piston stroke - 79.5x95.5 mm; compression degree - 19.5; Power - 66 kW/90 liters. With. at 4000 rpm; The maximum torque is 210 N.M at 1900 rpm. Transmission: drive to all wheels with the distribution of torque along the axes through the Haldex coupling; gearbox - mechanical; Transporting numbers: I - 3.78; II - 2.06; III - 1.31; IV - 0.92; V - 0.72; rear gear - 3.6; The main pair is 3.65. Suspension: in front - like McEferson with a reptile stability stabilizer, from behind - longitudinal and transverse levers with a reptile stability stabilizer. Brakes: ventilated disk with a vacuum amplifier and ABS. Steering: rheck with an amplifier.
 
 
Reliable behavior on a snowy, slippery, wet road, efficiency, makings of off -road qualities, a convenient workplace of the driver.
Modest engine capabilities, close rear seat, controllability in extreme modes wishes the best.
 
This is not at all the quattra on which the driver (the driver of that is, will be able to satisfy his driver ambitions. For this all -wheel drive Octavia you need a completely different engine. The role of the family crew will perhaps fit, however, with a reservation about the crowded back.
 
 
The car is provided by Pelican-Auto.
 
Sergey Voskresensky, Anatoly Karpenkov
Photo by Vladimir Knyazev
 
 
 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"