Skoda Octavia II 2004 test drive - 2008 -

Intelligence reported

Skoda intends to introduce the scout of the scout. So far, it is only known that Scout (Scout Eng. Scout) is located in Northern Italy in the Alps. Maxim Sachkov went to meet with the Czech agent.
 
At the airport, I was given his photos. The scout is very similar to a relative (or a relative?) Skoda-Octavia, but it looks more powerful due to the grown up of the road clearance, 17-inch alloy wheels and plastic body kit. Now I know him in person
 

The turnout is ordered

Keys in the hand like a password. I click on the Silver Car button in the far corner of the parking of the parking lots blinked.
 

So the visiting card of the scout behind the open door appeared silver overlays with the inscription SCOUT. However, it can also be distinguished from ordinary Octavia by the original black interior decoration, including seats sheathed with thin mesh matter. But the most striking feature that catches the eye is a seized handrail over a duffel box, like real altitude.
 

Having studied each other a little, we set off on the road. Our task is to find in the mountains the base indicated on the map. Under the hood, the machine has a 140-horsepower diesel with a volume of 2.0 liters.
 

And he is in great shape! I barely have time to click the transmission of a six -speed manual. So imperceptibly and reached the last step on the speedometer far beyond. Quiet! On Italian highways, restrictions are 130 km/h. We do not need extra contacts with the police. At the permitted speeds, the grunting of a diesel engine is the most distinct that you can hear. Although the Czech conspirators taught this engine insinuatingly to quickly enter into confidence in the interlocutor.
 

The road goes to the mountains: here I especially closely follow the scout, because it was prepared not only for asphalt, but also for off -road. How will an enlarged road clearance and other suspension settings show themselves on winding mountain serpentines? However, he was afraid of the rolls in vain in vain, the car obeys the steering wheel well, and rests in a bend not bad. At the same time, the energy -intensive suspension softly and quietly swallows irregularities, I get wheels. Great, scout, work out!
 

The scout salon is distinguished by an unusual finish with the strange name ONYX/ONYX. By order, some elements will be widened with skin. A peppy on a flat road, a diesel in the mountains was in prolonged lifts often demanded a reduced gear. Although the working range for engines with ignition from compression from the compression is about 1800 rpm of the motor and briskly spins almost to the red zone starting after 4500 rpm.
 

CONFRONTATION

On the display in the center of the dashboard, the necessary information appears from reminders and warnings to fuel consumption and medium speed. The meeting place in the mountains was found quite quickly thank you legend (and really like real scouts!). By the way, the turnout was scheduled next to the Olympic Bobslene highway in the town of Sister. Those who wish were offered to drive in four, of course, led by an experienced pilot. Eh, it was not! Short briefing, put on helmets, tighten special belts. To disperse the Bob was entrusted with professionals. And my colleagues and I only sat down in a capsule for about five minutes. The salon, tea, not a scout is cramped! Right under my knees, I found the long legs of a sitting behind one. The driver squeezes behind the wheel, more precisely, the rudders ... The accelerated dynamics and the first turn even disappointed to prepare for so long, a diesel car and that is more quickly. But in the second Bob entered much faster, and after the third, not an ice track, but the years lived in front of me. With all due respect to the scout, he could not at a speed of more than 120 km/h to fit into such a turn. Rather, it would end! The rear passenger also drives, constantly tapping me with a helmet. Finally, we leave the last turn, overloading about 4G releases the body, the pilot skillfully suppresses the skid (there are no stabilization systems here even in the options), inhibit UV! Interestingly, such races are provided in these intelligence schools?
 

Change of agents

Next to the finish, I was met by another scout, armed with a 2.0-liter, but already gasoline engine with direct injection. The return trip through the shooting range and a small piece of biathlon track.
 

The snow mixed with dirt flew from under the wheels A raised machine allows you to not notice the bumps and small snowdrifts. A full -wheel drive car obediently writes turns, like an athlete on a track. While the stabilization system was disconnected, he managed to frolic, slipping sideways between the arranged chips. Only occasionally, when I overdo it a little with gas or twisted the steering wheel, the device turned on again and answered with a quiet grunt of the brake mechanisms that grab the wheels. After Bob from such exercises, even breathing does not go astray.
 

Under the wheels, the asphalt track again wriggles. Subjectively, the gasoline engine seems weaker and calmer than a 140-horsepower diesel: there are one and a half hundred horses, but the torque is noticeably smaller. But it is possible to switch less often a gasoline engine is calmly lucky with 1,500 rpm, and only about 6,000 rpm is sour.
 

Well, now about the most important numbers. In Russia, a scout with a 2.0 FSI gasoline engine starts with $ 35,990. The diesel will be more expensive, as far as it is unknown. Not cheap! But a serious justification will be a rich basic set of frontal and side pillows, separate climate control, CD Magnetic with MP3, a full electric package, ESP. In general, capable of a small one. I would go to intelligence with this
 

Scout dossier

The chassis in design does not differ from other all -wheel drive octavia. Ahead is an independent suspension of the McEferson type, a multi-link is behind. For the sake of cross -country, road clearance was increased to 180 mm, which is 17 mm more than that of a regular model with a 4x4 index. Naturally, the corners of the entrance and exit have changed: 16.3 ahead and 16.9 behind. Depending on the situation, the necessary torque on the rear wheels redistributes the second -generation Haldex controlled by the electronics of the clutch (more fast and more sensitive compared to the predecessor). The engine from unpleasant contacts with irregularities protects additional protection.

Skoda Octavia Scout adapting to different roads, is ready to act on the situation, like a real scout.
 
 
 
     
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"