The all-new Skoda Octavia has arrived with an aggressive $21,690 starting price as it aims to shake up Australia's mid-sized segment.
Official specification details – released a day early following CarAdvice's exclusive story revealing the Octavia's entry-level $22,990 driveaway price and capped-price servicing program – reveal a line-up with three engines and three equipment levels, as well as a $3300-lower starting price that positions the medium-sized sedan and wagon closer to competitors in the small-car class.
All three turbocharged four-cylinder engines are new to the range, replacing the four-unit line-up of the old model.
The 103kW/250Nm 1.4-litre Octavia 103TSI kicks off the range. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, using a claimed 5.7 litres per 100km on the combined cycle and accelerating from 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds. The optional seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic is 0.1sec slower but nine per cent more efficient at 5.2L/100km.
The 132kW/250Nm 1.8-litre Octavia 132TSI sits in the middle. Available exclusively with the seven-speed DSG, Skoda claims acceleration of 7.4sec and combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km.
The 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre Octavia 110TDI diesel is the most expensive but also the most frugal. The engine is paired with a six-speed DSG, consumes a claimed 4.9L/100km combined and sprints to triple figures in 8.6sec. Diesel-powered models feature stop-start and brake energy regeneration technology.
At 4659mm long, 1814mm wide and riding on a 2680-2686mm wheelbase, the new Skoda Octavia is 90mm longer and 45mm wider than its predecessor, as well as a significant 108mm longer between the wheels.
Skoda claims this growth has created an additional 47mm of rear-seat legroom, 14mm of rear headroom, and 39mm more elbow width for front-seat occupants.
Boot volume expands to 568 litres in the sedan and 588L in the wagon (up 8L in both), and grows to 1558L (sedan) and 1718L (wagon) with the 60:40 split rear seats folded forwards – up 138L in the sedan and 98L in the wagon.
The entry-level Skoda Octavia is now called Ambition, and is available solely with the 103TSI engine. Standard features include daytime running lights and fog lights; 16-inch steel wheels (with a full-size spare and a puncture repair kit), leather-bound steering wheel, hand brake and gearlever; seven airbags (dual front, side, curtains, and driver's knee); and a four-speaker sound system with AUX/USB/SD card inputs and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming.
For an extra $2800, the mid-spec Skoda Octavia Ambition Plus adds 17-inch alloy wheels (with a space-saver spare wheel), rear parking sensors, rear side airbags, fatigue detection system, cruise control, height-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, front armrest with storage, and an eight-speaker audio system with a 5.8-inch touchscreen.
The flagship Skoda Octavia Elegance is available with all three engines. At $5400 more than the equivalent Ambition Plus grade, the Elegance adds 18-inch alloys; auto headlights; fog lights with cornering function; front parking sensors; electric-folding side mirrors; privacy glass; colour multifunction instrument cluster display; interior ambience lighting; leather upholstery; storage boxes under front seats and behind rear wheel wells; and an eight-inch central touchscreen with satellite navigation, 64Gb storage, two SD card slots and Apple connectivity.
The Ambition is available with an optional Travel Pack for $1300, which adds 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, cruise control, front centre armrest and four additional loudspeakers.
Additionally, an optional Tech Pack is available on?Ambition Plus ($3900) and Elegance ($3300) models, which consists of adaptive cruise control with front assist and city emergency brake, adaptive bi-xenon headlights; LED daytime running lights; LED tail-lights; auto parking assist; keyless entry and push-button start; drive mode selector; and a premium 10-speaker Canton audio system
The Octavia's drive mode selector offers four selectable modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, and Individual – which vary the operation of the engine, transmission, steering, coasting function, and where applicable, climate control and bi-xenon headlights.
Nine paint colours are available across the range: Candy White, Corrida Red, Topaz Brown, Race Blue, Metal Grey, Brilliant Silver, Cappuccino Beige, Moon White and Magic Black.
The Octavia also becomes the first model covered by Skoda Australia's capped-price servicing program, with the price of the first six services (completed at 12-month/15,000km intervals) ranging between $2044 and $2464 depending on engine variant.
