New Skoda Octavia is set for 海角视频 launch - Edward Stephens reports.
A new generation of the best-selling estate car in Europe is about to take to the road – and it’s packed with new innovations.
The third version of the Skoda Octavia Estate will go on sale in the 海角视频 on June 21 and offers more space, new safety features, better economy and better performance.
READ MORE: {}
And for those drivers who need the traction of four-wheel-drive there is also a new Octavia 4x4 Estate.
The new estate costs £800 more than the recently launched latest Octavia hatchback but Skoda says buyers will get between £3,500 and £5,300 – depending upon which spec you order – of additional equipment value over the previous model.
Prices start from £16,790.
The latest estate is longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces yet despite its growth it has an attractive sleek profile that looks good from any angle.
And by giving it a longer wheelbase, short front overhang and sharply contoured rear end Skoda’s designers have managed to make it look far more dynamic than the Mk2 Octavia Estate.
Most Read
Four engines are available from launch, two petrol and two diesel, and all are turbocharged.
There’s a petrol 1.2-litre, 105bhp and a 1.4-litre, 140bhp. On the diesel front there is the choice of a 1.6-litre, 105 bhp or a 2.0-litre 150bhp.
All cars come with a five or six speed manual gearbox as standard although on certain models a six or seven speed DSG automatic gearbox is available.
And while most people might be tempted to go for the diesels for economy the petrol ones are pretty impressive too, with the 1.2-litre averaging more than 55 miles per gallon and the 1.4-litre not far behind at just over 53mpg.
The most frugal, however, is the 1.6-litre diesel which will average more than 74mpg and – of particular interest for company car buyers – has a BiK rating of just 14 per cent and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km, so you won’t pay any road tax.
But for most estate buyers their main priority is space and practicality. And this is where this models excels.
The boot area will swallow a hefty 610 litres of luggage with the seats upright and 1,740 with the rear seatbacks folded down – an 85 litre increase over the previous generation.
Don’t miss
A useful option is a two layer boot floor which allows you to divide up the lower level for transporting breakable objects more safely.
Cleverly the lower section also provides a special storage area for accommodating both the retractable luggage cover and the optional roof rack.
On the innovations front the car has features like Intelligent Light Assistant which switches from high to low beam when necessary, Automatic Post Collision Braking System which recognises when the car has collided with something and brakes the car to stop it being propelled into the oncoming traffic, Adaptive Cruise Control to keep you a safe distance from the car in front and, from SE spec upwards, a fatigue sensor which monitors the driver’s movements and alerts you when it detects signs of tiredness.
The estate also offers an automatic parking system which not only parks the car for you – you control just the brakes and accelerator – but also get you out of tight spots if you are hemmed in.
I travelled to Germany to check out the new range ahead of the 海角视频 on-sale date and covered more than 130 miles in a 2,0-litre TDI version with a DSG automatic gearbox on roads ranging from twisty mountain routes to high speed unrestricted autobahn.
The route provided a good test of the car and particularly the new chassis, which came through with flying colours.
The new Octavia Estate is not only an extremely good looking car but delivers on all fronts when you get behind the wheel.