Skoda Octavia II 2004 test drive - 2008 -

The second Octavia

Skoda decided to pamper customers with an unexpected choice
 
To produce and sell two generations of the same model under the same name at once is the phenomenon of the rare in the practice of the world automotive industry. It, of course, is understandable: the consumer is reassured by the fact that the old woman-octavia is still on the conveyor, and can afford to save. Or fork into a young man who is able to give more pleasure. The client is always right, and the Czech daughter of VW is now not up to conventions - the main thing is to sell well. And the hunters before such a product in the Russian market this year turned out to be less than in the previous one. Will the second Octavia case fix the situation?
 
Image is all!

Here, it would seem, the same Volkswagen, only made in the Czech Republic, and everyone knows about it. And the image is not the same. One good friend of mine even noticed: there is no more shame than traveling on the white Skoda Octavia. Well, he clearly got excited. However, something else is surprising: the manufacturer seems to be not about the image of the brand, and if the advertising campaigns, if there are, are carried out so skillfully that you can’t even see them even in binoculars. And in vain. Having tested the second -generation Octavia, I came to the conclusion that the car is better than its reputation.
The novelty is very similar to the predecessor, but this is not a clone: \u200b\u200bOctavia II looks more elegantly fresh lines of the body, original bumpers and lighting equipment. In addition, it is larger: 62 mm longer, 39 mm wider and 32 mm higher. And the car that was getting to the test had in addition to a sport package, which includes the front and rear spoilers, the overlay in the lower part of the rear bumper and the chrome pipe of the exhaust system. One disappointment awaits the potential Russian client of the sedan in the range yet, and not the fact that he will appear. However, the hatchback is well disguised as an inexplicably popular body of such as a sedan.
The new Octavia is based on the fifth generation Golf platform, which led to an increase in the wheelbase by 68 mm and provided the best organization of the internal space. At the back, for example, three adults can fit well. Yes, and the luggage compartment volume increased to 560 liters (530 in the previous generation car), and if the rear seats are folded entirely, you get a cargo compartment with a volume of 1350 liters (against 1330).
Just sitting down on the driver's seat, I drew attention to the side mirrors, and was pleasantly surprised by the presence of not only the now fashionable turning indicators, but also a small flashlight covering the space near the door. And, looking around and feeling the materials of the finish, I realized that I practically have nothing to complain about in the cabin. The insert under the carbon, stretching from the doors through the front panel, a metal strip on the handle of the CP and all the interior details look stylish and thoughtful.
The instrument shield under the trapezoid visor contains two large round dials of the tachometer and speedometer, and two small windows, in which the indicators of the fuel level and the temperature of the power unit are hidden. The only thing I did not like the numbers located at an angle that require excess tension of the eyes.
The steering wheel, adjustable in height and departure, is sheathed with skin, it is thick and comfortable. Unfortunately, there are no audio control buttons on it and cruise control, but this is Skoda, not Audi or BMW. And the music center, as one famous character said, does not inspire: he is perfectly inscribed in the central console, but the sound, excuse me, as if from a pan. However, maybe this is too demanding, because we are still talking about the most expensive Audience system, with a 6 compact Discis built by Chainger. But information from parking sensors and a sensor that monitors air pressure in tires (option) can also be displayed on its green screen. The microclimate control unit and a button turning off the anti -circus system are a little lower. In the upper part of the console, a small compartment for fine luggage perished, and on the ceiling there is a niche for sunglasses. Next to the KP lever is two cup holders, a cigarette lighter, a central lock button and an ashtray, which immediately reminded me of the Czech origin of the car, her lid did not want to close in any way. Be that as it may, but the interior of the new generation Octavia made a very pleasant impression.


Heavy Golf

Since the new generation of Octavia is based on the Golf V platform, the running qualities of the models are similar, adjusted to size. So, many classmates can envy at high octavia stability speeds. The silence in the cabin is pleasantly surprised - no extraneous noise, with the exception of the indignant rumbling of the motor at high, more than four and a half thousand, revolutions per minute. That is, I'm talking about a 1.6 liter engine with a power of 102 liters. p., which is combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox. And, in general, such an Avt car leaves a good impression - it accelerates confidently, which is facilitated by an excellent gear shift mechanism and competently selected transmission numbers of the manual transmission, and does not give grounds for a feeling of uncertainty on the road. True, it seemed to me that the power unit showed the greatest return in the range of 3500 - 5500 rpm - on the bottom, as well as at high speeds, he reacts to the actions of the accelerator pedal sluggish. The brakes are excellent, dose the effort on the pedals is easy, and the slowdown is effective. In addition, already in the basic configuration Octavia has an ABS.
 
Returning to the running qualities, I note that in critical modes of the Octavia movement remains clear and correct. For discharge of gas, it famously dawns inside the turn, albeit with a small hint of the demolition of the stern. But purely sports things, such as preliminary drift, do not give much pleasure. Firstly, inertia is great - the suspension is like Golf, and the body is noticeably heavier. Secondly, using the manual brake is not very convenient - a massive armrest between the driver and the passenger hides that hides another niche interferes. That is, the car is more likely family, practical, not driver. There are practically no complaints to the steering. Of course, I would like to have a steering wheel more and with a more intelligible feedback, but for Octavia, to be honest, and the existing settings are quite enough.
 
I was pleased with the energy intensity of pendants - it seems that no pit can bring to breakdown. Although the noise from shock absorbers and springs on our potholes suggests that European roads are still more like this machine.
 
We’ll know about it
 
Having familiarized myself with the price tags in dealerships, I again thought about the image of the brand. No words, the new Octavia is better than the same, but alone, in itself, she is not able to change the relationship of customers to the brand as a whole. A similar attempt with Superb was also unsuccessful. And, given this very image, the price of $ 20,900 does not look attractive. And this is for the basic version - Classic, in which there is not even electric windows and air conditioning. Although there are ABS, four airbags and a central castle. Following it, already with air conditioning and windows, follows the Ambiente version - from 21,300, and, finally, Elegance - from $ 22,800. And in this price niche of competitors there are many, take at least Nissan Primera.
 
Here is the client who came to the salon and thinks when he saw the previous Octavia for 14,500 dollars in the base and with a 1.6 engine, but with a capacity of 75 liters. With. One thing I can say: you have to pay for pleasure
 
Brief technical characteristics of Skoda Octavia 1.6 MPI
 
Engine volume, cubic meter. See 1595
The number of valves per cylinder 4
Power, l. With. at about./min. 102/5600
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min. 148/3800
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p. 12.3 (15.9)
Maximum speed, km/h 190 (184)
The average fuel consumption l./100 km. 7.2 (7.8)
The volume of the fuel tank, l. 55
Dimensions, mm. 4572x1769x1462
In brackets are given data for the version with automatic transmission
 
Text: Andrey Osipov
 
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 24 (69), 2004-2005]