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We’ve commented before on the great value that Skoda offers the fleet buyer and the recently face-lifted all-diesel powered Octavia range is no exception. But first a little history lesson: The first Octavia model was introduced in 1959 and was aptly named as it was the eighth car produced by the nationalised (by the communist government) Skoda company. The two-door Octavia saloons were produced until 1964 while the three-door wagon which was introduced in 1961 soldiered on in production until 1971. The reason I wanted to share this with you was because my Uncle Shane had one of these little four-cylinder 1200cc wagons in Forest Green, which pottered around the district of Wanganui for many years. Contrary to popular belief the first generation of Skoda Octavia had the engine under the bonnet and was rear-wheel-drive. It didn’t need a heated rear screen to keep hands warm while being pushed by people wearing crimplene suits as one former National MP for Pakuranga was heard to say. Since 1991 Skoda has been part of the Volkswagen Group and the current generation of front-wheel-drive Octavia which launched in 2004 shares the same platform as the Mk II Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf generation V. We spent a couple of days with the newly face-lifted 103kW Octavia 2.0 TDI Combi pictured here and found it to be a very pleasant working companion. Priced at $48,490 it sits bang smack in the middle of the Combi range. The Octavia Combi 1.9 TDI manual starts at $39,990 and the Octavia Combi vRS 2.0 TDI with a six-speed DSG is $55,490. Our 103kW 2.0 TDI six-speed DSG Combi was not as quick off the mark as the 125kW vRS Octavia Combi six-speed manual we drove in August 2007 but it is still no slouch. Zero to 100 km/h is despatched in 9.6 seconds. Skoda Auto quotes a combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 6L/100km for the 103kW Octavia with DSG. We managed a commendable 7.7L/100km on mainly urban running but consumption in the 6.5L/100km would be easily achieved. Inside the seats were trimmed in the optional Duo leather and cloth trim, while the driver’s and front passenger seat was equipped with the optional electric adjustment and memory settings. This car was also fitted with an optional integrated Bluetooth system as well as Sunset tinted rear windows for greater privacy and security. The Octavia Combi will comfortably accommodate four adults and their luggage and roof rails are fitted as standard so that crossbars, cycle racks, roof boxes and the like can be easily fitted by your Skoda dealership. Newly shaped, bolder headlamps, a bigger radiator grille and a one-piece bumper differentiate the new 2009 Octavia range. The rear of the vehicle receives new tail lamp covers and a bumper with integrated cat eyes. The interior offers an improved line-up of Skoda audio and navigation systems plus full iPod integration as well. The steering wheel, the dashboard (white-backlit), the air conditioning controls and the decorative strips on the doors and the central console have been redesigned and give the car a more premium feel. The exterior changes of the 2009 facelift were first applied to the Octavia hatch and Combi models only – the revised Octavia Scout 4X4 and sporty Octavia vRS models will arrive in August 2009.
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Specifications: Body type Five-door-wagon Drive Front wheel drive Engine Type Inline four-cylinder turbo diesel Engine Capacity 1968cc Max power 103kW @ 4000 rpm Max torque 320Nm @ 1750 rpm Fuel Consumption 6.0L/100km C02 emission 158g/km Front suspension McPherson Struts Rear suspension Independent multi link Roof Rack Yes ABS Brakes Yes Air Bags 6 ESP Yes Air Conditioning Climate Lap/diagonal belts 5 Satellite Navigation N/a Electric seats Optional Burglar Alarm Yes Panic Button No Boot release Yes Cargo Cover Yes Boot Capacity 580L/1620L Wheel type 17-inch Alloy Spare Tyre Full-size
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