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He packs something away!
The new station wagon in the driving report - Škoda Octavia 1.8 TSI & 1.6 TDI
The first thing you notice is that the Octavia Kombi does not stand out. The completely new Octavia is hardly recognizable as a new car, especially from behind. At Škoda, the design language is only further developed with a light hand, as is the case in the rest of the group. Evolution instead of revolution. A small crease here, a new light edge there - the Octavia only changed cautiously.
Evolution combination
Improving the old Octavia station wagon was an extremely difficult task. The Czech was already a model boy on the golf platform in terms of workmanship, space and, above all, sales figures. The progress compared to the predecessor is enormous. One of the reasons for this is the new platform technology in the group. Like the normal Octavia, the new Octavia station wagon is based on the VW Group's new “Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB)” and shares many identical parts with the seventh Golf-Generation. Just a bit more spacious.
Škoda sticks to it: cars have to be clever.
In the case of the Octavia Kombi, this cleverness means providing the customer with a maximum of storage space and space for the fulfillment of his wishes and implementing one or the other gadget. With a wheelbase that has grown by 11 (!) Centimeters compared to its predecessor, the Octavia station wagon offers more space in the interior than any other compact car competitor. So the knee room for the second row could also be used as a ballroom. Nobody offers a more princely space in this segment. If the trunk was already large, the new one offers even more here! The large cargo area opening (1 × 1 meter) is practical, through which the large cargo area can be conveniently loaded while standing under the rear hatch that opens up.
simply clever gadgets: (examples)
- Ice scraper in the gas cap
- reversible mat
- Movable intermediate floor in the loader compartment
- Trunk with four shopping bags folding hook and a 12V socket
- Safety vest compartment under the driver's seat
driving impressions
Sovereign in the 1.8 TSI DSG
The 1.8 liter petrol engine with turbocharging and direct injection delivers a crisp 180 hp and is available from the Ambition equipment line together with the 7-speed DSG transmission from € 26.640. And once again the smooth combination of soulful yet jagged double clutch transmission and a particularly smooth-running but powerful turbo petrol engine is convincing. With the 250 Nm, this 1.8 TSI is not the Kraftmeier in the engine range, but thanks to a wide usable speed range (the 250 NM are from 1.250 to 5.000 revolutions), it is an engine with good manners. It's fun to move the TSI through the country - the 1.8 Turbo, when cultivated, is more reminiscent of a powerful naturally aspirated engine with significantly more displacement.
The suspension of the Combi is as skilfully tuned as in the saloon, only the rear axle seems a little stiff over frost heaves and the like to rumble. Presumably, however, this changes with every kilogram of payload. And for that the Octavia Combi is simply built. With four adults and luggage on vacation. Already the first exit around the Chiemsee could convey this sovereign travel feeling of the new Czechs station wagon.
Economical in the 1.6 TDI DSG
The 1.6 TDI with 105 PS is the entry into the diesel world of the Czech. The 250 Nm of the small diesel are available over a wide usable speed range and in principle the small diesel is sufficient for all everyday tasks. In addition, it can already be combined with the 4 × 4 system and is available both as a hand switch and as a DSG. However, the most economical diesel variant is the 110 hp 1.6 GreenLine TDI - with a NEDC consumption of only 3.3 liters per 100 kilometers! In terms of ambition, the basic diesel together with the recommended DSG gearbox costs € 24.940
Traction at any time with the 4 × 4
The Octavia 4 × 4 benefits from the Group's modular system and can be adorned with the current fifth generation Haldex system. Lighter and more agile in its reactions, it ensures maintenance-free and self-regulating all-wheel drive. The differential locks when the wheels are spinning are simulated by applying the brakes on the respective wheel - I personally prefer other solutions, but this variant should be completely sufficient for the purpose of the Octavia. The clearance from the ground leaves room for an upcoming “Scout variant”.
The four-wheel drive is currently available in conjunction with three engines. For the 1.8 TSI with 180 PS and 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission, for the 1.6 TDI with 105 PS and the 2.0 TDI with 150. The two diesels then come with the manual six-speed transmission. In the Octavia 4 × 4, Škoda uses variable all-wheel drive technology with one HaldexFifth generation clutch. In everyday life, the power usually goes on the front axle on the road, only when slip migrate up to 100% of the force on the rear axle. In the fifth generation of the all-wheel drive system, this happens within milliseconds. In addition, the four-wheel drive 1.4 kg was lighter.
What else needs to be mentioned?
Not only the four-wheel drive was easier. The whole Octavia station wagon has slimmed down to 105 kilograms and that, although he offers significantly more in all respects than its predecessor.
In it, the new Octavia station wagon is particularly good:
"Space in its most beautiful form" - this is how the boss of Skoda Germany, Winfried Vahland, describes the new Octavia station wagon and I can agree with him on this point. The design language of the Czechs is currently getting a little bit better with every current model. You can almost see the classics of tomorrow in this timeless design. But what is particularly pleasing for me is that the Octavia offers a lot of practical cars at a fair price. Space, workmanship and choice of materials are pleasingly successful for this segment. [/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Others can do that better:
Alternative drives are still lacking. Above all, I miss a clever hybrid, even better; a plugin hybrid. With a little more “green technology”, the Czechs would grow from being scared of favorites into favorites in this segment.
In addition, I am missing an electrically operated tailgate in the quite extensive list of surcharges, in the best case also with the possibility of operation by “kicking” under the rear bumper, as is available on the Passat station wagon and Audi A4.
My conclusion:
A car for pragmatists with a sense of good design - craftsmen - or just for the whole family. The last new ones Models of the Czechs were already a direct hit in my eyes. The new Octavia station wagon is no exception and it is already clear to me today that this family station wagon will be particularly successful. I don't know of any other vehicle in this segment with such a convincing overall package. From the craftsman's combination to the nerd multi-purpose vehicle. Add a pinch of “cleverness” ...
Available engines and gearboxes for starting:
Engines Gasoline (EU 5):
> 1,2 TSI 63 kW (86 PS) (manual 5 gear)
> 1,2 TSI 77 kW (105 PS) Green tec (6 gear manual and 7 gear DSG **)
> 1,4 TSI 103 kW (140 PS) Green tec (6 gear manual and 7 gear DSG ***)
> 1,8 TSI 132 kW (180 PS) Green tec (6 gear manual and 7 gear DSG); 4 × 4 **** with 6 gear DSG
Diesel engines (EU 5):
> 1,6 TDI 66 kW (90 PS) (5 gear manually) (from May 2013)
> 1,6 TDI 77 kW (105 PS) Green tec (5 gear manual and 7 gear DSG); 4 × 4 **** with 6 manual gear
> 1,6 TDI 81 kW (110 PS) GreenLine (6 gear manual) (from the end of 2013)
›2,0 TDI 110 kW (150 hp) Green tec (6-speed manual and 6-speed DSG); 4 × 4 **** with 6-speed manual r 4 × 4
In the second part you can read more about the gadgets and the price list of the new Octavia - stay tuned .. Sales start on May 25th!