Be prepared for Skoda's Scout

Has Skoda stolen a march on Subaru? The new Octavia Scout represents an excellent alternative to the Subaru Outback, with one principal drawback being the lack of an automatic transmission option -- and a further debatable drawback being the lack of a dual-range transfer.

On the plus side for the Scout, it comes to market with a refined and strong diesel engine, something the Outback is yet to offer the local market.

Skoda has developed the Scout from the standard Octavia all-wheel drive wagon by a range of cosmetic and specification changes, including raising the suspension to provide a ground clearance of 180mm, 40mm higher than that of the standard car.

The suspension has been toughened up and Skoda has changed the spring and damper settings and revised the anti-roll bar so that its articulation is in a ratio of 1:1 with the MacPherson strut lower control arms. There's underbody protection for the Scout's engine and transmission also.

Distinguishing the Scout from the standard Octavia, there are changes to front and rear bumpers and aprons, additional unpainted plastic around the wheel arches, 17-inch 'Proteus' alloy wheels and unique 'Scout' badging. Skoda has also specified 'Scout' door sills and a passenger hand-hold above the glovebox.

The Scout (more here from our first drive in the Czech Republic), is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with a diesel particulate filter. Developing 103kW of power at 4000rpm and 320Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500rpm, the engine also uses as little fuel as 6.6L/100km in the combined cycle test for ADR81/01 and emits 178g/km of CO2. Skoda claims a braked towing capacity of 1600kg.

Drive from the engine is taken via a bevelled gear running off the front driveshaft to a Haldex coupling ahead of the rear differential. When the system detects slip in the front wheels, the Haldex immediately suborns torque from the front to the rear wheels. Built by the same Swedish company that has supplied Volvo for that manufacturer's AWD cars, the Haldex coupling is an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch system.

In addition to the native safety of this part-time all-wheel-drive system, the Scout boasts interlinked active safety features such as a stability control, an electronic differential lock, ABS/EBD, traction control and automatic brake-disc drying. These systems operate through the four-wheel disc system, which comprises front ventilated rotors measuring a diameter of 288mm and solid rotors at the rear, of a diameter of 260mm. Other safety aids include auto-on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights and a seatbelt warning reminder.

For passive safety, the Scout is outfitted with seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters for all outboard seats, dual front airbags, side-impact and curtain airbags. Front-seat occupants are protected by active headrests and all three rear seats feature headrests.

Standard comfort and convenience features run to dual-zone climate control, remote central locking, electric windows front and rear, electric mirrors, reverse parking acoustic guidance, multi-function leather-bound steering wheel, cruise control, trip computer, eight-speaker MP3-compatible six-disc CD audio system with auxiliary input socket, heated front seats, follow-me-home lighting, electro-chromatic mirror, silver and grey floor mats.

Skoda claims that the Scout will accommodate 580 litres of luggage, or up to 1620 litres with the 60/40 split-fold rear seat folded. As is often the case with SUVs and Skodas, the Scout makes a virtue of providing storage receptacles throughout the interior, with a bin above the vents in the centre fascia, an underseat storage tray, a lidded bin under the centre front armrest, a sunglass holder above the mirror and bottle-ready cupholders in the doors as well as cupholders in the centre console.

Exterior colours available are: Candy White, Dynamic Blue, Corrida Red, Brilliant Silver metallic, Cappucino Beige metallic, Flamengo Red metallic, Artic Green metallic, Anthracite Grey metallic, Satin Grey metallic, Storm Blue metallic, Black Magic metallic and Aqua Blue metallic.

Priced at $39,990, the Octavia Scout is sold in just one level of trim and one drivetrain variant only, but Skoda offers an extensive range of ex-factory options.

Among those are xenon headlights and electric glass sunroof (both priced at $1730), front parking acoustic guidance ($490), alarm system ($540), electric driver's seat with memory ($1370), Alcantara leather seats ($2490), metallic paint ($630) and 'Columbus' satellite navigation ($2490).

We'll have a full launch review on this car within the next few days.

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