New Octavia range arrives

Skoda has added a new base model to its volume-selling Octavia line-up, sporting an updated engine and an entry price of $24,990. Offering European quality at Chinese car prices, Skoda expects to attract not only medium car buyers, but also small car buyers with its low price point.

The new '90TSI' 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine replaces the 1.6-litre multipoint injection engine offered in the 1Z model, delivering more power and torque, while significantly reducing fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions.

Skoda is confident the new entry-level model will increase awareness of the brand in Australia, offering small car value with medium-sized interior space. But the car that has the potential to really elevate the European car maker's image in Australia, the compact Fabia, has been pushed back until at least 2012.

The new sub-$25K entry-level Octavia is driven by a 1.4-litre engine, good for 90kW/200Nm, and is more efficient than the outgoing version with claimed economy of 6.5L/100km when paired to the seven-speed automatic DSG.

The twin-clutch automatic gearbox is a $2300 option ($27,290), while the six-speed manual version is priced at $24,990 and uses slightly more fuel, rated at 6.7L/100km. Wagon variants add $2000 to the price.

The standard features list for the medium car is extensive, including everything buyers would expect of a European-built vehicle, such as six airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system, semi-automatic air-conditioning, 15-inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, one-touch power windows all round, cruise control, plus a multifunction leather steering wheel with control for the CD/MP3 eight-speaker stereo.

On top of its long list of standard features, the car boasts a boot larger than the Holden Commodore, offering 560 litres of space in the liftback model, and 580 litres in the wagon.

The introduction of the 2011 Octavia model range sees Skoda realign its mid-sized offering, with more standard features on all models, such as satellite navigation as standard on mid- and top-grade vehicles.

The burgeoning Czech car maker has also confirmed that a new entry-level diesel variant, the 77TDI -- a 1.6-litre turbodiesel -- will be offered early in 2011, starting at $27,490 for the manual and $29,790 for the seven-speed auto.

Skoda has also responded to customer calls for a turbodiesel AWD Scout model (which is based on the Octavia) to be fitted with an automatic gearbox, confirming the six-speed auto Scout will arrive early in 2011 for under $40,000.

The Carsales Network got behind the wheel of the new entry-level Octavia 90TSI this week, so stay tuned for our full report on how the 1.4-litre turbo model fares.

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