Prototype: Skoda Octavia IV

It was almost a quarter of a century ago that Skoda launched the Octavia, the first model under the aegis of VW. Since then, the brand has grown from a cheap home to a serious competitor: The Czechs traditionally score with good quality, ample space and lovingly cared for Simply Clever solutions such as the ice scraper in the fuel cap. This convinces the customers, and of course also attracts buyers from the VW dealership to the Skoda showroom. Especially since Octavia and Co. are cheaper than the Volkswagen representatives. However, VW group boss Herbert Diess recently rejected rumors that the brand should be repositioned to minimize cannibalization risks. On the contrary: Skoda has the greatest growth potential in the group, according to the CEO, and the brand needs to be given more capacity.

Entry: Just below 20.000 €

Last but not least, the new Octavia proves the potential of the Czech subsidiary: Skoda boss Bernhard Maier is visibly proud of the fourth generation of the Golf offshoot, which is already developed and has already proven its abilities - albeit still heavily camouflaged. Only at the premiere on the 11. Maier is going to pluck up the red-yellow adhesive foil in Prague in November. But what is already visible when looking at the Erlkönige: The Octavia gets a wide grille, narrow headlights and a fairly square tail; At least that's what the combi prototypes hint at. The spacious loadmaster, which accounts for two-thirds of all Octavia customers, will launch 2020 in the second quarter, and the sedan a little later. Prices are not yet known, but should start at just below 20.000 Euro.

With 4,70 Meter, the Octavia Combi, which will also be available in a robust Scout version again, will only be one or two centimeters longer in length and width. The further developed modular transverse modular system (MQB), however, provides more space in the interior, especially on the backseat is almost ballroom atmosphere. In the combo trunk go virtually unchanged 640 liter, the sedan, however, has increased by state 110 on 600 liter.

USB-C on the rearview mirror

The Octavia makes a leap in terms of electronics: Among other things, there are the latest assistance systems from the corporate shelf including the Travelassist, which combines Abstandstempomat, speed adjustment and track holder. In addition, a new multifunction steering wheel with sleek turning rollers, virtual instruments, a head-up display and the latest infotainment system are introduced. Like its engineering brother Golf 8, the Octavia below the ten-inch touchscreen also gets a slider surface, on which the volume can be adjusted by finger-touch or the navigation-card can be fine-tuned; he is not quite as switch-reduced as the Golf. Unusual: One of the up to five USB-C ports sits to the right of the rearview mirror. Here, the popular dash-cams can be connected to the shop, according to the Skoda boss, who personally goes on the first test drive.

Maier is particularly proud of the new Evo engines, which also gets the Golf 8; the earlier compulsory waiting period of a few years until the daughter is allowed to use the latest group technology is no longer an issue. Over the entire fleet, CO2 emissions are expected to have fallen by 14 percent compared to its predecessor, with five engines emitting less than 100 grams of nitric oxide per kilometer. The gasoline engines drive as three- or four-cylinder, make between 81 kW / 110 PS and 180 kW / 245 PS. The strongest version as well as the variant with 150 kW / 204 PS are plug-in hybrids, the double-hearted technology should also provide future in the potent RS model for propulsion. The weaker engines use an 48 volt belt starter generator, at least in part in conjunction with the seven-speed DSG. This allows the Octavia with the combustion engine off and sailing with a small E-thrust support.

Adaptive damper or bad path chassis

How that feels, we could not find out in the first round. Here was the 1.5 TSI with 110 kW / 150 PS as a hand switch and without electrification ready. The Octavia left a good impression anyway, the engine works quietly and, as expected, has no problems moving the full Combi quickly. A brisk gait is also the opposite, apart from the slightly numb central position, precise steering and the balanced suspension. On request, there is a deeper sports suspension or a bad-road substructure with 15 millimeters more ground clearance and of course adaptive dampers, which can now be adjusted in 15 stages.

In addition to a natural gas version, three diesels complete the range, all two-liter four-cylinder engines with 85 kW / 115 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS. Electrification is not yet an issue here, but the exhaust gases are cleaned by two SCR catalysts. A new feature is the filler neck for the AdBlue diesel cleaner, which can now also be filled with the truck nozzle. On request, the two more powerful diesel engines can be driven with all-wheel drive; the medium version with 110 kW / 150 PS and DSG was also available for our prototype round. The Volkswagen Group now has a good grip on the double coupler, and there is no longer any sign of the weak starting point. And that the diesel doesn't feel quite as lively as its petrol counterpart, most drivers will forgive him without complaint. After all, the new Oktavia also wants to be more a family carriage or a business car than a sports car.