Memorable for all the right reasons

It was an inauspicious start to the road test: being unable to drive Škoda's blue-ribbon Octavia RS as arranged because the review car was having its steering rack replaced.

Without so much as a kilometre travelled, and with less than 1300km on the car's odometer, we were left wondering about the eastern European brand's fortunes in Australia after an absence of more than two decades and a reputation for building less than perfect vehicles.

But we need not have been concerned. Upon returning the car, dealer representatives explained the steering was damaged during transportation on the back of the truck. And, in between, our experience with the mid-size Octavia turned out to be memorable for all the right reasons.

Like this writer, who was still in school when the Czech car maker left Australia in 1983, a large number of prospective customers will have never driven a Škoda. Some will have never heard of it. So, rather than disdain, it is a lack of brand recognition that counts most against it.

On the other hand, Škoda has in its favour strong links with Volkswagen. The respected German manufacturer has been involved with its European neighbour since 1990, culminating in full ownership in 2000. And its influence on the vehicles is immense.

Although the Octavia has a unique, if offbeat, design and takes the form of a small-medium liftback (a hatchback, although Škoda Australia describes it as a sedan), it is built using the proven Golf 5 platform and shares running gear, such as the McPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension configuration and electro-mechanical steering.

Furthermore, as the performance leader, the RS variant tested here has much more in common with the acclaimed Golf GTI. This includes the turbocharged and intercooled version of the Volkswagen-Audi Group's 2.0litre direct injection four-cylinder engine, which delivers 147kW of power at 5100rpm and 280nm of torque from a low 1800rpm through to 5000rpm.

The beaut DSG direct-shift gearbox available with the Golf is unavailable on the RS and the small weight increase that comes with the Octavia's bigger size means it is a fraction slower across the performance benchmarks - although 0-100km/hr, for example, is completed in a still respectable 7.3 seconds.

We should add that the aural appeal of the GTI's engine is also missing in the RS (despite the sports exhaust) and that its consumption of premium unleaded is higher. We averaged 11.5 litres per 100km, which is well above the sub-101/100km expected in the class, even with a performance variant such as this.

But there is a lot to like.

While not the slickest or shortest action, the six-speed manual is positive and direct, and the engine impresses with its virtually lag-free performance, fantastic smoothness, excellent strength from low revs and power aplenty at the top end. Notwithstanding the mediocre mileage in this application, the TFSI engine again proved itself an absolute gem.

The front wheels will break traction with little provocation from a standing start, but there is no torque steer and no kickback either. Indeed, in overall terms, there's no sense of unruliness with the Octavia RS at all.

Even with lowered and stiffened sports suspension, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile 225/40 -section Michelin Pilots, the firm-riding RS scores well on the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) scale. It irons out all but the most viscous road imperfections and maintains a fair amount of refinement, albeit with some intrusive roar some the tyres across coarse-chip bitumen. The excellence of the donor chassis is obvious on winding roads, where corners are taken with confidence in the Octavia. Body control is good, the Michelins offer marvellous grip, the steering is accurate (if lacking in outright feel) and the brakes have a high degree of resistance to fade.

Just as the remote central locking fob is recognisable as a Volkswagen item, the cabin has some familiar switchgear - and even smells like a new Volkswagen.

That the Octavia is built in the Czech Republic rather than over the western border in the homeland of its German parent also makes no discernable difference. Volkswagens sold in Australia come from a range of countries and we have found all bar the short-lived "experimental" Chinese-built Polo Classic sedan to be of a high standard in terms of fit and finish and build quality overall.

The Škoda tested here is no exception.

Significantly, in 2004 Euro NCAP crash test handed the Octavia four stars out of five for adult occupant protection, which is a rung below the Golf and the others. It remains to be seen whether upgrades since then have improved it's rating, but we should note that this test was performed without curtain airbags - which are standard on the RS.

The car has four other airbags protecting the front occupants, along with standard electronic distribution, brake assist and related devices) and a tyre-pressure monitoring system. An alarm is also included.

The diver is positioned in a comfortable and supportive bucket (upholstered in a fabric and fake leather/suede combination) and provided with a full range on manual seat and steering wheel adjustment the steering column stalks are used to manage the cruise control and trip computer, but there are no satellite stereo controls - an omission that can require a long reach to the on/off switch.

Otherwise, the high-grade six-CD stereo is convenient to use, as is the dual-zone climate control air-conditioning unit positioned underneath.

Sporting references are made with an unrestrained use of dark trim and contrasting metallic-faced pedals and plastic silver inserts on the dashboard and doors. There is also a well-formatted sports instrument panel, a splendid leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and a "V" logo stuck on various points to denote the vRS moniker, the ‘victory Rally Sport' model designation used on overseas cars but, disappointingly, left off in Australia.

There is an interesting paradox here in that the RS is positioned more as a fast medium sized car than an outright hot hatch. Garnish items like the big vision-obscuring rear spoiler, and the inclusion of a temporary-use spare wheel, undermine the car's practical nature. On the other hand there is enough room to seat four people in relative comfort, a plethora of useful storage facilities throughout and a massive 460-litre boot.

Cargo volume can be extended to as much as 1420 litres via the 60/40 split-fold rear seats. A ski-port is also included.

Not feeling compromised or underdone, the Octavia stands as a useful adjunct to Volkswagen's mainstream range.

Just as Škoda's widespread acceptance now in Western Europe and Britain is obvious to those who have travelled abroad, the Czech brand now has its best chance to follow a simular route in Australia.

Škoda Octavia RS ‘Sedan'

Not seen here since 1963, Škoda has returned with a competent, practical small-medium car leading the charge. The RS has a tractable turbo engine and fine ride/handling balance. High on value.

Second opinion

Paul Williams, 36

Knowing that the Volkswagen had resurrected the Škoda brand in Europe, Paul Williams wanted to test whether the Octavia delivered on the promise of high value and practicality with respected Volkswagen underpinnings.

"Growing up, I vaguely remember the odd, crappy rear-engine air-cooled sedans that used to potter around, and they were just embarrassing," he says. "But I guess the thing this time around with Škoda is that it's now a subsidiary of Volkswagen, so from an engineering perspective everything underlying it is all Volkswagen Group.

"It's the same platform and chassis and stuff as the Audi A3. So any doubts about it being poor quality or unreliable or anything like that just aren't founded any more because of basis it's built on."

Paul has had to contend with insurance companies not knowing Škoda had returned, and sceptical friends. "But when everyone's seen it, I think they've all been quite impressed."

A test drive allayed Paul's fears that the ride in the RS would be too firm. Indeed, he found the ride more compliant, and quieter overall, than a Holden Vectra he also owns.

"I grin like an idiot every time I'm in it. It just seems to always have power whenever you put your foot down.. The engine's just silky smooth - it's gorgeous - and the gearbox is fantastic, as is the steering. The brake pedal seems really sensitive, but they just seem like they'll stop forever.

"All the control are quite intuitive and it was very easy to find the right driving position, whereas in the Mazda 6 I found I was stuffing around for ages trying to feel right."

"The rear seats are pretty hard, but no one has sat there complaining about the ride or the exhaust booming or anything like that."

Upon seeing the Octavia RS wagon and hatchback together in the dealership, Paul determined that "the wagon just looked a million times better" and was more practical, too.

"The wagon just looks that bit better. It's much easier to get stuff in and out … and because the (tailgate) hinges for the hatch tend to sit over the rear passengers' heads, this reduces some of the headroom."