Autumn 2013
which made it a
whole lot thirstier
than the official
return figure. With
C02 emissions of
99g/km, this engine
size is in Band A2
of €180 per year in
annual road tax. You
also get to see the
range left to empty.
This engine was
matched to a user-friendly, 5-speed
manual gearbox. It moves the car
from 0-100km/h in 11.0 seconds,
we're told.
Unfortunately the 2.0 DSG version
I was booked for wasn't available
on the day so I was given the
1.6 105bhp car. I'd have really
appreciated the more powerful
150bhp car. While the 1.6 was fine
for most everyday use, it lacked that
extra vitality and I didn't even have a
full house onboard, just me.
Storage areas are good with a really
decent-sized glove box, good door
bins, and a hidden compartment
below the front passenger seat. A
slideable front arm rest also helps
shorter drivers, but there's not much
space beneath the lid.
On the safety side, you get
automatic fuel cut-off in case of a
crash and warning lights in case of
panic braking, a third high mounted
brake light, child lock in rear doors,
ESC (Electronic Stability Control), two
Isofix child seat anchors, and seven
airbags.
Octavias come with three years
warranty, three years paint warranty
and 12-year warranty against body
perforation or rust.
Combi prices are from €19,995€31,295. The RRP of the review
car was €27,095 excluding optional
extras.
A Skoda favourite
Originally launched in Ireland back in 1998, the Skoda
Octavia has become a firm favourite with Irish motorists.
While the initial launch of the third generation Octavia took
place in March of this year, the second body version of the
model series, the Octavia Combi estate arrived in June.
The Czech carmaker claims the new Combi will see
them challenge not only direct competitors but, because
of its large proportions, will also take on cars in the larger
executive estate class.
Estates are all about having extra cargo space and the new
Combi obliges as it is longer and wider than the outgoing
model. This longer wheelbase allows for more cabin space
and luggage room with best in class boot volume of 610
litres. Maximum boot capacity is 1,740 litres, so it's huge.
The car's high roof allows good head room too and you can
almost stretch your legs in the back.
Seats were half-leather and offered great comfort. You can
tell the quality of the build by the good fit and finish and by
the sturdy sound when you close the doors.
Trims are Active, Ambition and
Elegance. Mine was the Elegance
version.
A variable boot floor is optional for all
Combi trim levels and the car had a very
useful retractable net divider located
behind the rear seats which could be
used even if the rear seat backrests are
folded down.
An electrically operated panoramic
sunroof is a two-panel set in the Combi
and is an optional extra for Ambition and
Elegance trim levels.
Octavia is powered by a range of low
emission TSI petrol engines as well as
common rail diesels. My test car was
the 1.6 TDI version which officially sips
only 3.8 L/100kms (that's a huge 74mpg
equivalent!). During my time with it, the
trip computer registered at 5.4 L/100kms
16
Trish Whelan.