Škoda delivered almost 270,000 Octavias to market during 2006, representing almost half of the company’s total annual production of almost 550,000 vehicles.

“Tuned to deliver outstanding dynamic performance and excellent fuel economy, the Octavia is available in a choice of two body styles, three specification levels and with no less than five different engines,” said the Head of Škoda Australia Matthew Wiesner.

With two cutting-edge TDI diesel engines, a range of three petrol engines – all with high-pressure direct injection technology – plus sedan and wagon body styles, the availability of AWD available and a comprehensive lineup of five- and six-speed transmissions, including DSG, Octavia customers are faced with a smorgasboard of real choice.

The ability to tailor the Škoda Octavia to personal tastes and requirements is impressively backed by high standard equipment levels, including ESP, which is standard across the range, plus a raft of high-quality inclusions expected of a premium European brand.

The performance flagship of the range, the Octavia RS, combines ultimate driver engagement with practicality and is available in both sedan and wagon models – both, like the rest of the range, at the right price.

The Škoda Octavia is produced by Škoda in the Czech Republic in two productions plants, in Mlada Boleslav and Vrchlabi. Škoda, which is the Czech Republic’s largest employer and most prolific exporter, will produce 600,000 vehicles in 2007. The company currently has a presence in more than 90 countries worldwide, including the UK, Germany and, today, Australia. To meet growing demand, the Škoda Octavia is also currently assembled in India, Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina for their respective domestic markets.

Octavia Range

Upgraded with new engines and equipment in 2006, the Škoda Octavia range is available in both sedan and wagon body styles. The five engines are complemented by four transmissions, and choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Octavia Ambiente
The Octavia range begins with the impressively equipped Ambiente model, which is tuned for outstanding economy and performance with a 77 kW 1.9-litre TDI turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine featuring high-pressure direct injection and EU4 emissions compliance. An impressive delivery of 250 Nm of torque is available from 1,900 rpm.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard on Octavia Ambiente models, with a sophisticated Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) optional. DSG, which can be driven in either manual or automatic modes, offers rapid, economical shifting via ‘forward thinking’ transmission computer and the intelligent integration of unique double-clutch transmission architecture.

Wagon versions of the Octavia (all models, including Ambiente) are available with a sophisticated AWD system as an option.

Sports-tuned suspension is available as an option on Octavia Ambiente models.

Octavia Ambiente models are impressively equipped with a comprehensive array of upmarket standard features. Highlights include:

• Electronic Stability Programme
• Remote central locking
• Climatic - automatic air conditioning
• 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/65 tyres
• Power windows
• MP3-compatible CD/tuner
• ‘Rolling code’ electronic engine immobiliser
• Multi-function leather-bound steering wheel
• Trip computer.

Octavia Elegance
The Octavia Elegance is available with the choice of three outstanding engines.

A brilliant new 1.8-litre TFSI (turbocharged and direct-injected) four-cylinder petrol engine delivers an impressive mix of performance and economy. Using the kinds of engine-control technologies formerly reserved for hi-tech diesel engines it delivers 118 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque across a wide rev range (1,500-2,400 rpm), and remains strictly EU4-compliant on emissions. Recommended fuel is 95 RON unleaded petrol. This responsive engine is offered with a six-speed manual transmission.

The second petrol engine in the range is the 2.0 FSI in-line four-cylinder. It also features the hi-tech benefits of high-pressure direct-injection technology, but is naturally aspirated. It delivers 110 kW of power between 5,000 rpm and 6,200 rpm and boasts a peak torque output of 200 Nm at 3,500 rpm. It remains EU4 emissions compliant on 95 RON unleaded petrol. The standard transmission for the 2.0 FSI is a six-speed automatic.

The diesel engine option in the Octavia Elegance lineup is the 2.0 TDI. Performance and economy are outstanding, thanks to hi-tech fundamentals including direct injection, turbocharging and electronic injection control. Peak power output is 103 kW at 4,000 rpm, with tremendous mid-range torque of 320 Nm all the way from 1,750 rpm to 2,500 rpm. This engine is also EU4 emissions compliant and is available with the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox), which employs unique double-clutch system for efficient automated or manual shifting.

The Octavia Elegance wagon is available with all three engine and transmission combinations above, as well as with all-wheel drive. AWD Elegance wagon variants receive a six-speed manual transmission.

Sports-tuned suspension is available as an option on Octavia Elegance models.

In addition to the impressive equipment levels in the Ambiente range (above) elegance models receive:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Six-CD/tuner with MP3 compatibility
• Low-light sensing headlight activation
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Auto-dimming rear-vision mirror
• Climatronic air conditioning.

Octavia RS - Performance Meets Practicality
The performance flagship of the Octavia range is the dynamically engaging Octavia RS (known as Octavia vRS in some markets). Available, like the rest of the Octavia range, in both wagon and sedan body styles, this is a satisfying and very European performance car you can live with every day. Practicality is certainly not sacrificed to performance – nor vice-versa – when it comes to the Octavia RS.

Spirited driving is assured, thanks to a powerful and refined 2.0 TFSI in-line four-cylinder petrol engine with computer-controlled high-pressure direct injection, turbocharging and intercooling. Power peaks at an impressive 147 kW, which occurs across a 600 rpm range from 5,100 rpm to 5,700 rpm. Torque production is also strong and incredibly consistent across a broad operating range, with 280 Nm available from a low 1,800 rpm all the way to 5,000 rpm.

The Octavia RS is available with a six-speed manual transmission and befitting its character it engages the road via 18-inch alloy wheels shod with low-profile 225/40 tyres. Feel and feedback are impressive, thanks to sports-tuned suspension and responsive rack and pinion steering with electro-mechanical assistance.

Inside, the RS retains the Elegance’s high equipment levels and interior refinements. The vehicle’s sporty character is enhanced by the inclusion of body-hugging heated front seats with sports trim, alarm system and sports instrument panel.

Safety
Impressive credentials, both active and passive, are an integral part of the Škoda Octavia’s design.

Regardless of specification level, Octavia is comprehensively kitted out to protect its occupants across a broad range of real-world safety situations with an impressive array of active (crash avoidance) and passive (crash mitigation) safety features.

Importantly, the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is standard across the entire Octavia range, regardless of engine, transmission, body configuration or drive system.

ESP represents ‘best practice’ technology to counteract skids and slides, helping to prevent numerous subsequent traffic crashes. ESP has been independently assessed to offer significant safety benefits to the owners of cars fitted with the system, as well as other road users. It helps prevent loss of control situations from arising by monitoring cornering performance continuously and intervening automatically to regain control when it senses grip being lost. It compares a complex number of variables in real time – such as yaw rate, lateral acceleration and steering angle, and is able to prevent sliding by reducing engine power if required and by braking individual wheels to control the car’s directional path when the available grip level is exceeded. Driver intervention is not required, as the system is entirely automatic.

An advanced Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) helps maintain driver control by preventing wheel lock-up if an emergency stop is required, while a Traction Control System (TCS) monitors the driveline continuously for wheelspin and automatically reduces engine output to prevent wheelslip. Finally, engine braking control (EBC) prevents the driven wheels from locking if the accelerator is lifted suddenly, or if the vehicle brakes sharply because a low gear has been selected.

Advanced structural engineering mitigates crash performance through controlled deformation, which limits loads on occupants while at the same time allowing a rigid survival space within the vehicle. Together with front, side and head airbags, and load-limiting seatbelt pre-tensioners, the Octavia is well equipped to protect its occupants from harm.

Suited to Australia’s typically harsh operating conditions, the Octavia range is available standard with a full-sized spare wheel (on models except RS, which has an emergency spare wheel).

Price  (RRP)