Skoda Octavia review by Top Gear

The Skoda Octavia hatchback behaves with the manners of a Golf, because that’s what it is underneath. Design is neat, with the rear extension avoiding rivals’ tacked-on look. Owners love them and praise the service provided by the dealers.

  • Comfort

    Good driving position is the gateway to a happy long-distance relationship. Ride has enough travel for ropey roads but doesn't lose the plot by floating. Engine noise doesn't intrude. Seats support your body properly.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Performance

    Serviceable in the base versions. Petrol TSi and TFSI engines punch well above their weight and sound good. Most will buy diesels though, and with the economical 105 1.9 or punchy 170 CR 2.0, they're not making a mistake. The joy of DSG transmission is available too.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Cool

    Even with the vRS coolness isn't really the reason for buying a Skoda is it? You are confident enough not to need it. And that carries a whiff of cool in itself, especially when wrapped in the estate body.

    Rated 4 out of 10

  • Quality

    The cabin has been carefully set up to look like VW's runner-up brand - well made but a little lacking in surprise-and-delight or sparkle. Still, it's as tough as old boots and the reliability makes owners happy.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Handling

    Soft but reassuring on the base models, nicely finessed on the hot vRS. Weighty, well-damped steering makes it easy to drive smoothly. No untoward surprises means you can comfortably nuzzle the limits. The raised 4x4 Scout doesn't roll too much and gets the torque onto the tarmac however greasy it is.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Practicality

     Big of boot, but that's just the start. Cabin cubbies carry all sorts of clobber, and there are roof rails as standard. The Scout is all the off-roader most of us need, without the clumsiness.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Running costs

    Generally the expenditure ought to be well contained. Long service intervals, economical diesel availablity and a three-year warranty will cut the worry. Depreciation no great issue.

Article source: www.topgear.com

Winning Design - Design Center

Made of glass, concrete, and steel, the ŠKODA Auto Design Center is a modern, unconventionally conceived structure that stands out without being overwhelmingly dominant. Built in the spirit of a new architectural philosophy, it is a harmoniously composed structure aiming to express simplicity, compactness, and compatibility with the attributes typical for ŠKODA.

The building is divided with glass partitions that can be moved to create a variety of interior arrangements. This variability enables designers and engineers to concentrate on their work while sustaining visual communication with their colleagues. The monochromatic character of the glass and concrete structure artfully contrasts with colorful work environment. In 1999, the original Design Center received recognition as the Structure of the Year.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

 

Solutions - Personal Contract Plans

Solutions is a flexible personal contract plan (PCP), which could help to give you more car for your money.

 

Whether you want to drive the latest model or change your car to suit your circumstances, SKODA Finance can help. Solutions puts you in the driving seat. You can pay a smaller deposit (as little as one repayment) and defer a proportion of the cars value until the end of the agreement helping you lower your repayments when compared to hire purchase. 

 

Designed around both you and your budget, Solutions works to your preferred repayments over your agreed term, anything from eighteen months to three and half years.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Yeti SE Plus pulls in double win for ŠKODA at Towcar of the Year Awards

  • ŠKODA Yeti SE Plus victorious in two categories at Towcar of Year Awards 2013
  • Best in class for Vehicle Excise Duty Bands G, H & I and Under 1800kg All-Wheel Drive
  • The winners were announced at the Caravan Club’s annual awards in London on Wednesday 26th September

The ŠKODA Yeti SE Plus has scooped two class wins at this year’s prestigious Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards.

The brand’s acclaimed 4x4 model took top honours in both the Vehicle Excise tax bands G, H & I and the All Wheels Drive under 1800kg categories.

The judges, made up of experienced motoring journalists and seasoned caravanning experts, were impressed with the Yeti’s towing capability, applauding its “load capacity, high-speed stability, cornering prowess, handling and ride”.

ŠKODA UK Brand Director, Alasdair Stewart, comments: “The Yeti is an astonishingly versatile vehicle, so it is no surprise that it continues to win awards across the board.

“The caravanning community has always been extremely supportive of ŠKODA – the Superb Estate is already a double-winner at the Towcar of the Year Awards - so it’s fantastic that the Yeti’s exceptional offering for these customers has been recognised this year.”

The 2013 competition attracted 23 entrants from a number of manufacturers, with the entrants put through their paces at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

Special guest, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, attended the testing regime at Millbrook and then presented the Class awards to representatives from the winning manufacturers at an awards ceremony in London on 26th September.

In a bid to make the awards more relevant for members and more attuned to environmental motoring issues, the categorisation of entrants was decided by Vehicle Excise Duty tax bands rather than by price-class for the first time in the competition’s 30-year history.

During track tests, the judges assessed each car’s towing ability more rigorously than ever before, with an acceleration test and a reversing test added to the usual evaluation. The tests included a mid-range 30-60mph acceleration assessment, high-speed towing circuits, emergency braking, ride and handling evaluations and hill-stop and restart tests.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA announces prices for all-new Rapid hatchback

  • Prices start from just £12,900
  • Three familiar trim levels – S, SE and Elegance
  • Four petrol and one diesel engine available at launch
  • Insurance groups from 7E

ŠKODA has revealed UK prices for the eagerly anticipated Rapid hatchback, which will go on sale from the 12 November 2012.

The Rapid is the first ŠKODA production car to fully feature the brand’s new design language and provides outstanding space for five passengers and their luggage.

As you would expect from a ŠKODA, Rapid embodies all of the core values for which the brand has become famous – exceptional value for money and engineering excellence with a human touch.

Four petrol and one diesel engine are available under the bonnet of the ŠKODA Rapid from launch, mated to five or six-speed manual transmissions or a seven-speed automatic DSG. The Rapid offers outstanding value for money and low running costs with CO2 emissions starting from 114g/km of CO2 (on the 1.6 TDI CR 105PS DPF engine) and insurance ratings starting as low as 7E (for the 1.2 MPI 75PS engine).

With Benefit in Kind (BIK) ratings from only 14%, the ŠKODA Rapid is expected to provide a boost to the brand’s rapidly expanding fleet sales.

On-the-road pricing starts from £12,900 for the Rapid 1.2 MPI 75PS engine in entry level S trim, rising to £17,850 for the Rapid 1.6 TDI CR 105PS DPF engine in flagship Elegance grade.

Engine Recommended OTR
S 
1.2 75PS £12,900
1.2 TSI 86PS £13,700
SE 
1.2 TSI 86PS £14,650
1.2 TSI 105PS £15,350
1.4 TSI 122PS DSG    £17,150
1.6 TDI CR 105PS £17,100
Elegance 
1.2 TSI 105PS £16,100
1.6 TDI CR 105PS £17,850

The ŠKODA Rapid comes with a high level of standard equipment. Every model gets remote central locking, curtain airbags, daytime running lights, rake/reach-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable driver’s seat and electric front windows.

The SE trim adds 15-inch alloy wheels, body coloured door mirrors and handles, air-conditioning, Maxi-dot trip computer, MDI (Multi Device Interface), a leather steering wheel and Bluetooth connectivity.

Buyers opting for range-topping Elegance models benefit from 16-inch alloys, cornering front fog lamps, cruise control, height-adjustable passenger seat, rear electric windows, chrome interior detailing and a four spoke multi-functional steering wheel.

The ŠKODA Rapid is the seventh car in the brand’s award-winning range, and will sell alongside the Citigo, Fabia, Roomster, Octavia, Superb and Yeti. Production began last month at the company’s plant in Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

More Articles...

  1. Bienvenue ŠKODA Rapid - ŠKODA at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris
  2. ŠKODA Citigo wins What Car? Green Award
  3. ŠKODA Octavia limited-edition special offers
  4. Octavia Estate

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