Czech it out
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28th March 2009 - Manly Daily
There’s nothing wrong with the cars so what’s a company like Škoda have to do to get some attention? Time will tell, reports Chris Riley
“ŠKODA? They’re Russian, aren’t they?” my mate asked. That about sums up the fortunes of Volkswagen’s other brand in Australia.
After driving the latest Octavia, you’ve got to wonder what the Czech arm of the company has to do to get across the line?
The cars look terrific, perform very well and outpoint the opposition in almost every department – but they still struggle to register a blip on the Aussie radar.
Maybe the simple truth is that there’s nothing it can do. Maybe it’s just got to keep plugging away, it might just be a question of time.
The new Octavia, available in liftback and wagon forms, is a quantifiably better car than the one it replaces, particularly the way the cars are finished.
It has lost none of the sporty dynamics that come with a company that has a long history in motorsport.
Prices for the new Octavia start at $26,990 for the 1.6-litre liftback, a car that looks like a sedan but is actually a hatch with an enormous boot.
The engine is a lift from the previous Golf and is paired with a five-speed manual in standard form, replacing the previous 1.9-litre diesel entry level model. A six speed auto is optional.
The car is $3000 cheaper than before and the price might just be low enough to hook small car buyers.
You can argue that it’s hand-me-down VW technology, but it’s still good technology.
The real jewel in the Octavia crown, however, is the new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol model with its new seven-speed DSG transmission – priced from $33,790.
The engine has been seen in some Audis before, but the robotised twin clutch manual is the latest technology, filtering through the Audi and Volkswagen line-ups as we speak.
It’s capable of delivering an impressive 6.7 litres/100km in fuel economy. The 1.8 is also available with a six-speed manual.
The third engine that rounds out the line-up is the 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel, another lift from VW but not the latest, delivering 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque and 5.7 litres/100km. It’s also available with a six-speed manual.
We got to drive both the petrol models at the launch of the new Octavia this week in Adelaide.
The car has been freshened up with new lights front and back, larger exterior mirrors and a bolder radiator grille.
But it’s the higher standard of finish inside where the changes are most noticeable.
With 75kW of power and 148Nm of torque, the 1.6 is never going to set the world on fire – but it’s not disappointing either. If you’re in the market for a Euro, only interested in getting from A to B and it’s in your price range, then look no further.
The clutch and gear change in the manual are light and easy to use and once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to drive around the engine’s lack of torque by piling on the revs.
The 1.8-litre turbocharged engine produces 118kW of power and 250Nm of torque and, paired with the DSG, can go from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds. At 6.7 litres/100km, it produces even better economy than the smaller 1.6.
Performance from the turbocharged engine is reasonably strong, with maximum torque available from 1500rpm, but we found the ride a little floaty when pushed hard.
It misses out on paddle gear shift buttons which have probably been reserved for the sportier RS later in the year.
The previous Octavia had a four-star safety rating, but this one, with the addition of curtain airbags, is expected to score a full five stars when it is tested.
Standard equipment includes six airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. There’s also cruise control, trip computer with distance to empty and audio controls on the multi-function steering wheel.
An AUX input for audio devices is standard, but full ipod compatibility is an extra $240.