Škoda Octavia

Infobox Automobile
name = Škoda Octavia


manufacturer = Škoda Auto
parent_company = Volkswagen Group
production = 1996–present
class = Small family car
layout = Front engine,
front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
platform = Volkswagen Group A platform series

The Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and estate body styles. A common misconception is that the Octavia is a saloon due to its long boot. However in some markets (such as China) the Octavia is configured as a saloon.__TOC__

Octavia Mk1 (1U) (1996-present)

Infobox Automobile


name = Škoda Octavia Mk1 (1U)
aka = Škoda Octavia Tour (in markets where Mk. II was introduced in 2004)
production = 1996–present
engine = 1.4L I4 1.4L I4 16 valve 1.6L I4 1.8L I4 20 valve 1.8L I4 Turbocharged 2.0L I4 1.9L I4 SDI 1.9L I4 TDI
platform = Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform
body_style = 5-door liftback
5-door estate
related = Audi A3 (8L)
SEAT León
VW Golf Mk4
Volkswagen Bora

The first generation Octavia was released in 1996 and was built on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform.

United Kingdom sales began in 1998 and the car was an instant success with buyers who appreciated its solidity, refinement and value for money, though it could not quite match the success of established favourites such as the Ford Mondeo, Opel Vectra and Peugeot 406.Fact|date=June 2007 The car became synonymous with the U.K taxi trade, due the large number of private hire drivers who used the vehicle due to its low price, space and reliability.

The first generation Octavia had a facelift in 2000 [cite web |url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/used_car_reviews/article418273.ece|title=Skoda Octavia Review| author=Times Online | accessdate=2007-07-24|date=2004-05-09] and is still manufactured and marketed in some markets, even though the second generation was introduced in 2004. In Germany, and other parts of West Europe, as well as Asia, the older model is marketed as the Octavia Tour, while the newer model is marketed as the Octavia. In some markets, the first-generation Octavia is still known as Octavia, and the newer model is referred to as the new Octavia, Octavia5 (Greece) or Laura (India). The major improvements in the new model are the independent rear suspension and improved interior (in space, design and quality of materials).

The original Octavia also featured a 4x4 wheel drive version both for liftback and estate models, the former being more popoular, and was using the Haldex Traction clutch just as every other Volkswagen Group A Platform based car (Golf IV, Audi A3 and Seat Leon Cupra R4). It had higher ground clearance and a bigger fuel tank - Convert|63|L|usgal impgal|0|sing=on|lk=on compared to Convert|55|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on|lk=on standard front wheel drive versions. The 4x4 option was only available for 1.8T convert|150|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on petrol engine, the 1.9TDI convert|90|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on both coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox and the 1.9TDI-PD(Pumpe-duse) convert|100|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on version which came with 6-speed manual gearbox.

The other 6-speed model was the 1.9TDI-PD convert|131|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on only available with front wheel drive.

The vRS, being the top-level and quickest specification, is a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine which produces convert|180|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on, similar to the Audi TT's first engine. Skoda made a limited amount of 100 WRC Replica Cars worldwide in 2002, these differ to normal vRS Octavias, as they are produced in white, have rally decals and have additional accessories as standard (such as ESP, xenon lights, heated front seats).

Engines

The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group.

Octavia Mk2 (1Z) (2004-present)

Infobox Automobile


name = Škoda Octavia Mk2 (1Z)
aka = Škoda Octavia II,
Škoda Octavia5,
Škoda Laura
production = 2004–present
engine = 1.3L I4 1.4L I4 16 valve 1.6L I4 1.6L I4 FSI 1.8L I4 TFSI 2.0L I4 FSI 2.0L I4 TFSI 1.9L I4 TDI 2.0L I4 TDI
platform = Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform
body_style = 5-door liftback
5-door estate
related = Audi A3 (8P)
SEAT León II
VW Golf Mk5
Volkswagen JettaThe second generation was introduced in 2004 based on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform also used by other Volkswagen Group cars, including the Audi A3 II, VW Golf Mk5, SEAT León II, SEAT Altea, VW Golf Plus, VW Touran and VW Tiguan. Along with a new engine range, also shared with other models of the Volkswagen Group, body changes included more legroom for rear seat passengers (a weak point in the original model) and increased ground clearance at front and rear to reduce the risk of grounding on steep ramps or facing kerbs.

In India, the second-generation Octavia is marketed as the Laura to distinguish it from the first generation. [cite web |url=http://auto.moldova.org/auto/eng/80/124/|title=Skoda - Octavia/Laura| author=Auto.moldova.org | accessdate=2007-07-24]

An off-road version of the Octavia was announced in the third quarter of 2006 under the name Octavia Scout. [cite web |url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/2070123.002/skoda-octavia-scout-arrives-uk|title=Skoda Octavia Scout Arrives (UK)| author=WorldCarFans | accessdate=2007-07-24] Only available with the estate body style, the Octavia Scout features a Haldex Traction four-wheel drive, which is based on a computer-controlled clutch centre coupling. The Octavia 4x4 offers convert|24|mm|in|1|abbr=on higher ground clearance than standard versions. The Scout model offers an additional convert|16|mm|in|1|abbr=on for a total convert|40|mm|in|1|abbr=on higher ground clearance than the standard versions.

Engines

There are several engine options available: [cite web |url=http://www.skoda-auto.com/cze/model/newoctavia/octavia/technology/|title=Škoda Octavia - Motory & technologie|author=Škoda Auto|accessdate=2007-10-10]

Trim levels

In the UK the Octavia is available in these trim levels: Classic, Ambiente, 4x4 (Estate only), Elegance, Laurin & Klement, Scout 4x4 (Estate only), and vRS. All models come with 4 airbags, electric front windows, air conditioning, central locking and Anti-Lock Brakes.

Comparisons

Along with other Škodas, the Czech-built Octavia has been a markedly reliable vehicle, more so than the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf with which it shares platforms. In 2006 Warranty Direct, a UK-based provider of mechanical warranties for used cars, rated Škoda the top manufacturer (above Mazda and Honda), while Audi came seventh from bottom. The Octavia specifically had a reliability index of 32.74 (lower being more reliable) while the Golf produced over the same period was 87.28 and the Audi A3 99.43.

References

External links

* [http://www.skoda-auto.com Škoda Auto official website]