Skoda Octavia I test drive - 2010 -

Cheap - not cheap

The magazine has already introduced readers to the new Czech car of Skoda Octavia (ZR, 1996, No. 11). Let me remind you that then the top of the lineup was presented - richly equipped Octavia -SLX 1.8 20V. In the fall of this year, the novelty began to be sold in Russia. However, for many motorists, it is much more attractive to the most expensive, but, on the contrary, the most affordable in the price of an octavia with a 1.6 liter engine. Today we will talk about her.
  
It's no secret - consumers were looking forward to Octavia. They are used to what Skoda supplies good cars to Russia for a moderate price. But, unlike a small felicia, which is still willing to buy, Octavia is a special case. For many, this is an opportunity, and quite real, to acquire a modern European car of the middle class. Its quality will be German without reservation (Skoda is included in the Volkswagen concern), and the cost is Czech, that is, not too high. I will not pull - I will name the price. Octavia-LX in the minimum configuration will cost the buyer about $ 17 thousand, Octavia-SLX with a full set of additional equipment will pull all twenty-six. As you can see, even at a minimum, the prices are by no means dumping. Is it worth a sheepskin?
 
Of course, it is worth it. Audi, Opel and other German cars of a similar class are much more expensive. Skoda has a number of very attractive features. A ten -year guarantee of anti -corrosion resistance of the body and three -year -old - on the paintwork - for us in a new product. High fuel economy and voluminous (528l) trunk - also not bad.
 
But the engine with a working volume of 1600 cm3 and a capacity of 75 liters. With. (modifications of LX and GLX) Is it not weak for a relatively large car weighing far beyond the ton? It turned out no. In any case, these are the impressions of a trial trip. Frankly, I was afraid to be disappointed. Hefty fifteen -inch wheels (LX model is equipped with 14 inches discs), a full passenger interior - do not wait for special agility from the car. But no - Skoda is enough frisky. In any case, a Muscovite with a 1.7 liter engine and it will easily furnish the same full load. In a short area where it was possible to accelerate properly, I easily scored 150 km/h - the stock still remained, and considerable. In general, according to subjective sensations, the engine has excellent adaptability, quite burdensome. This is confirmed by the factory data (external speed characteristic - in the figure). I think that Octavia is quite capable of towing an impressive trailer in the fifth gear. Although, of course, in our country, few will use it as a tractor.
 
The suspension is also not bad: maybe by Western standards, it is somewhat harsh, and for us, I assure us, what is needed. The car is not prone to longitudinal swing and does not crush on small irregularities, in corners it does not bother with the rolls. Sustainable, holds the way perfectly. That is, it has all the qualities inherent in modern European cars.
 
Brakes in LX and GLX models in front are ventilated disk, behind - drum. Compared to SLX modification, this is a simplified option: there are disk both front and back, and even the anti -lock system in standard configuration. But future owners of 1600 cc octavia can be calm - a car with drum rear brakes can stop quickly. Those who want to use ABS will be installed for an additional fee for any modification of Octavia.
 
I won’t describe the salon in detail - everything is solid here, and the decoration, and convenient seats. The only drawback is that with tall driver and passenger in the back seat, the knees rest on the backs of the seats. This is the fee for a voluminous trunk and space in the front row.
 
At the end of the trial trip, I had to ask representatives of the company a delicate question. There is only one car with a carburetor in the power supply in the power supply series. It is not equipped with a catalytic neutralizer. But Octavia, as one, is equipped with fuel injection and, as a result, neutralizers. The environmental cleanliness of the machine is a valuable quality. But, unfortunately, far from all of Russia there is an opportunity to refuel unhealthy gasoline. How to be? The factory workers reported that the so -called dirty version of the car is being prepared for our country - with injection, but without a neutralizer. Objectively, this is a step back, but in this case it is dictated by market features.
 



It remains to wish Octavia an equally happy fate as Felicia. The latter sold in Russia more than 4 thousand pieces for 1996, and now this figure is significantly exceeded in the first half of the year. Moreover, the most demand is the cheap modification of LX. Therefore, Octavia with an engine of 1600 cm3 will also find its buyer.
 
Technical characteristics of the car Skoda Octavia-LX
General data: number of places - 5; Equipped mass - 1160 kg; full weight - 1670 kg; maximum speed - 170 km/h; acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h - 14.6 s; The average fuel consumption is 6.2 l/100 km; Fuel supply - 55 liters. Dimensions, mm: length - 4511; width - 1731; height - 1429; base - 2512; Wheel track: front - 1516; the rear - 1492. Engine: gasoline, four -cylinder, in -line, 2 valves per cylinder, with fuel injection, is located ahead transversely; cylinder diameter and piston stroke - 76.5x86.9 mm; working volume - 1598 cm3; compression degree - 9.8; Power - 55 kW/75 liters. With. at 4800 rpm; The maximum torque is 135 N.M at 2800-3600 rpm. Transmission: gearbox - mechanical five -speed; Transporting numbers: I - 3.455; II - 1.944; III - 1.370; IV- 1.032; V - 0.850; Z.X - 3.167; The main gear is 4.250. Brakes: with an amplifier; Ahead - circular ventilated, behind - drum. Wheels: 6JX14 disks, tires - 175/80R14T.
 
Octavia instrument panel is real Europe.
The 75-horsepower engine Volkswagen found a second life under the hood of Skoda.
 
The external speed characteristics of the engine of the Skoda Octavia car 1.6 LX.
 
Vadim Kryuchkov
Photo by the author
 
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"