Skoda Octavia test drive since 2008 -

Skoda Octavia

So Skoda Octavia has become Russian, or rather, Russian-German-Chesh. Gathered at the Kaluga plant, it is no different from its foreign counterparts, with the exception of the price, which was reduced by an average of 10% by saving in customs duties.

Nevertheless, Skoda did not become an affordable car, but only a little more accessible. Our test copy, for example, even in the most simple configuration, the classic costs more than 600 thousand rubles. It is armed with a 1.6 L FSI engine. The FSI prefix means that gasoline is supplied to the cylinders by direct injection, which increases power by 10-15%. This is the branded technology of the main partner of Skoda: the joint venture of Skoda and Volkswagen created back in April 1991 called Skoda, Automobilova A.S. It became the fourth brand Volkswagen Group along with VW, Audi and Seat.

So, in front of me is a Czech car with a glorified German engine assembled by the hands of Russian workers. I don’t really believe in miracles, so when the manager opens the driver's door, the sigh of surprise involuntarily breaks out of my chest: so do you offer me a version with a machine gun? Yes, it will be a real extreme!.

I recall how a couple of months ago I rolled out a week on a similar Japanese car. Almost one to one coincides the weight of the machine and the engine litting, only the machine there was five -stage, and here are six. Honestly, the Japanese to the core struck me with his agility. Let's see what Skoda is capable of ...

The beginning is inspiring. Impeccably executed, tastefully created salon. A massive automatic transmission handle sets up a serious way. Touching, starting from the traffic light and ...

And no Japanese surprises. The Skoda motor did not deceive my expectations for the better or for the worse. With a slight angry, he pulls forward a car weighing three hundred tons, and even burdened with a six -speed automatic. But the automatic transmission could be frozen, by and large, no additional modes make the car become more agile. In general, the result was quite predictable to Skoda Octavia with a 1/6 engine, even if FSI, and an automatic machine not for those who are used to driving quickly. But for people in age, for cute and leisurely ladies just right. And for those in a hurry, there are gasoline 2.0 FSI and turbodiesel 2.0 TDI PD. As they say, to each his own.

In general, Skoda Octavia, despite not the most dynamic power unit, makes a favorable impression. This machine has its own style, there is a habet, it is remembered and sinks into the soul. The assembly is very solid, and nothing sounds anywhere in the movement. The suspension patiently swallows the irregularities of the asphalt coating and does not bother the owner with either noise or shaking. Good soundproofing, but when once again I try in vain to squeeze the last juices out of the engine, a sharp and not very pleasant howl bursts into the salon. So on this version it is better to go still leisurely.

There are also small achievements. Skoda Octavia boasts a capacious trunk. Its basic volume of 560 liters can be increased by folding the rear seats to 1.335 liters. This is a kind of record in this class.

Planting a driver and ergonomics without comments. The dashboard and torpedo are conquered by the efficiency of execution, decoration and originality of style solutions. A large on -board computer display, for example, has an original saturated green color.

Double-zone climate control and ESP everything, like more expensive brothers in the class. Already the basic version of the Classic includes four airbags (front and back), ABS, central lock, driver's seat with height adjustment and ISOFIX brackets for installing children's seats in the rear seats. On the Ambiente version, in addition to the standard Classic equipment, there are rear -view mirrors with electrical adjustment and heating, a computer on the dashboard and tinted glass. The top equipment Elegance provides, among other things, the automatic air conditioning system Climatic, electric windows of all doors, fog lights, 15-inch light-luminous wheels of Orion and the zones backlighting in the mirrors near the doors.

Under the order you can put a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, navigation system, high-quality Melody, Stream or Audience audio system, an acoustic system with digital equalizer and a driver's seat with electrical adjustment and memory. Of course, all these amenities will be worth the money. Miracles will have to be forgotten, because, as one of my familiar manager of the car dealership said, there is no cheaply good.

Pros: convenient salon, good handling, stylish design.

Cons: Weak accelerated dynamics, insufficiently effective sound insulation.

Competitors: Ford Focus, Opel Astra.

Length/width/height: 4.572 /1.769/1.462 mm.
Base: 2.578 mm.
Equipped mass: 1.300 kg.
Engine volume: 1.598 cm3.
Power: 115 hp at 6,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 155 at 4,000 rpm.
Maximum speed: 194 km/h.
Acceleration to 100 km/h: 12.4 sec.
Average fuel consumption: 7.6 l/100 km.
Price (in the Classic configuration): 637,000 rubles (as of 04.2008).
















Photo and video materials Natalya Burtovaya.

Source: Autolet.ru