Skoda has confirmed November 11 as the official unveiling date of the new generation Octavia. The company’s best-selling model will debut in the Combi (estate) variant in Prague, with the liftback to follow a few weeks later. The high-riding Octavia Scout and sporty Octavia RS will be added to the range in 2020.
Sporting a bigger overall footprint, the fourth-generation Octavia Combi is 22 mm (0.9 in) longer and 15 mm (0.6 in) wider, to 4,689 mm (186.6 in) long and 1,829 mm (72 in) wide. The hatchback is 4,689 mm (186.6 in) long and 1,829 mm (72 in) wide, 19 mm (0.7 in) and 15 mm (0.6 in) more than before.
The wheelbase measures 2,686 mm (105.7 in), and thanks to clever packaging, rear passengers enjoy 78 mm (3.1 in) more legroom. At 600 liters (21.2 cu-ft) in the hatchback and 640 liters (22.6 cu-ft) in the estate, the boot capacity is the biggest in the segment.
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On the outside, the all-new Octavia boasts full LED Matrix headlights, LED taillights and dynamic turn indicators. The exterior design has been enhanced as well, with a slightly bigger grille, new bumpers and a sportier silhouette. Skoda has also dropped the controversial split-headlamp design. Furthermore, the reshaped styling has made it more aerodynamic, with the drag coefficient being 0.24 for the hatchback and 0.26 for the wagon.
The interior layout resembles that of the new Volkswagen Golf, to an extent. Skoda has molded the dashboard to echo the front grille and has integrated a head-up display, an updated 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment system. The front seats are more ergonomic and feature heating, cooling and massage functions. The optional sports seats are wrapped in a breathable ThermoFlux fabric.
The automaker can also fit it with a tri-zone climate control, Canton audio, KESSY keyless entry, up to 5 USB-C ports and a 230V socket. Other options include the Sleep Package, which adds larger headrests and a blanket at the rear, improved net package (estate only), multifunction storage pocket under the boot cover, child safety locks, umbrella in the driver’s door and others.
The engine lineup includes the usual petrol and diesel offerings, as well as mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Named the Octavia iV, the latter consists of a 1.4-liter TSI petrol and an electric motor, in two different outputs: 204 PS (201 hp / 150 kW) and 245 PS (242 hp / 180 kW), both of them paired to a 6-speed DSG. The 110 PS (108 hp / 81 kW) 1.0 TSI and 150 PS (148 hp / 110 kW) 1.5 TSI are equipped with a 48V belt-driven starter motor and 48V lithium-ion battery when chosen with the 7-speed DSG, but they can also be had without the mild-hybrid tech in combination with the 6-speed manual gearbox.
The 190 PS (187 hp / 140 kW) 2.0 TSI, matched to a 7-speed DSG, is also available. The 2.0 TDI diesels are entirely new and have outputs ranging between 115 PS (113 hp / 85 kW) and 200 PS (197 hp / 147 kW). The CNG (compressed natural gas) offering includes the 130 PS (128 hp / 96 kW) 1.5 TSI, with three 17.7 kg (39 lbs) CNG tanks and a 9-liter (2.4-gallon) petrol tank, which can be hooked up to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Speaking of the DSG, it now uses shift-by-wire technology, so the gear selector is no longer mechanically connected to the gearbox. All-wheel drive is available in certain versions.
Customers can choose between three different chassis settings, with the standard being joined by the sports suspension that drops the whole car by 15 mm (0.6 in), or the Rough Road variant, which jacks it up by 15 mm (0.6 in). The Drive Mode Select is an optional extra, and when chosen, the ground clearance remains unchanged in the PHEV, whereas the other versions sit 10 mm (0.4 in) closer to the road.
Skoda’s all-new Octavia boasts new safety systems, such as the Collision Avoidance Assist or Exit Warning. The Hands-on Detect can check whether the driver touches the steering wheel on a constant basis, and if needed, the Emergency Assist can bring the car to a full stop.