Skoda reveals new Octavia

Skoda's drip-feed reveal campaign for the all-new Octavia has culminated in the release of full exterior and interior images plus key details of the Czech brand's handsome new third-generation mid-size sedan.

Confirmed for Australian showrooms in the second half of next year, the redesigned Octavia is larger in every dimension yet more frugal, with the most efficient engine claimed to emit a Toyota Prius hybrid-matching 89g/km of CO2.

Skoda is claiming class-leading interior length (1782mm), knee room (73mm) and rear head room (980mm), as well as best-in-class boot capacity - a massive 590 litres. Meanwhile the second-generation Octavia's already generous front head room grows by 8mm and elbow room is up 39mm at the front and 26mm at the rear.

Stepping up in size to accommodate Skoda's all-new Rapid sedan, which arrives here earlier in 2013 (with the Spaceback hatch version to follow), the MkIII Octavia rides on a 108mm longer wheelbase and is 90mm longer overall, as well as 45mm wider.

Accompanying its larger overall dimensions are a host of new safety features, including the Front Assistant emergency braking function similar to that found in parent company Volkswagen's up!, a pre-crash preparation system dubbed Crew Protect Assistant, a pedestrian-friendly active bonnet, Lane Assistant lane departure warning system and Driver Activity Assistant fatigue detection.

There will also be up to nine airbags, including standard knee airbags for Europe and, for the first time in a Skoda, rear side airbags.

Among a host of other new available technologies is the radar-based cruise control system, Adaptive Cruise Assistant, plus Intelligent Light Assistant automatic high-beam control, Automatic Parking Assistant self-parking, the Keyless Entry Start and Exit System, a sliding/tilting panoramic glass sunroof, Driving Mode Selection and Traveller Assistant traffic sign recognition.

There will also be new-generation infotainment systems with touch-screen control, plus foldable cargo elements for the boot, a double-sided boot floor, an ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap, a warning vest holder located under the driver's seat, a rubbish bin inside the door panel and a host of other innovative storage solutions.

Apart from "extremely stable handling" facilitated by what Skoda says is a precise chassis, a long wheelbase and a rigid and light body structure, the new VW MQB platform-based Octavia will bring efficiency improvements courtesy of newly developed petrol and diesel engines, a low drag coefficient and overall weight reductions of up to 102kg.

Skoda says the latter was achieved despite the vehicle's larger dimensions by "resolute lightweight engineering, a progressive body design, utilisation of high- and ultra-tensile steel and a careful selection of materials".

Fitted with an 81kW 1.6-litre TDI turbo-diesel engine, the Octavia GreenLine will consume just 3.4L/100km and emit 89g/km. A total of four petrol and four diesel engines – all with direct-injection – will be offered initially in Europe, where a natural gas version will also become available.

All engines except the entry-level petrol and diesel will be available in 'green' guise, with fuel-saving idle-stop technology. A 132kW 1.8 TSI petrol engine will top the launch range – until all-wheel drive and flagship RS models arrive – and both manual and dual-clutch DSG automatic transmissions will be on offer.

Dressed in a "clear, precise and timeless" new bodyshell design that has obvious links to the smaller new Rapid, Skoda says the Octavia will continue to offer mid-size vehicle qualities at a compact-car price.

In Australia, the current MkII Octavia opens at $24,990 for the 1.4-litre 90TSI and extends to the RS 2.0 125TDI, with wagon versions commanding a $2000 premium.

"The Skoda Octavia is the heart of the Skoda brand," said CEO Winfried Vahland. "It embodies the good Skoda genes in the best sense of the word: lots of room, quality, precise workmanship, modern, mature technology, timeless design, high functionality and the best price-value ratio.

"Our customers' expectations have grown. Our aim was to make this car even better for its third generation. This is reflected in the values of the new Octavia – it is a class of its own."

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