Skoda Octavia. More than 7 million buyers
Skoda Octavia is a mid-size C-class car from the Czech automaker Škoda Auto, which has been produced since 1996 in Liftback and Estate 5-doors bodies. It can have both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive modification. In total, 4 generations of this popular car have already been released. The Octavia is the most popular Škoda model in the company’s history. More than 7 million cars all generations were produced by 2019. Skoda Octavia liftback and station wagon of the fourth generation of the 2019 model year was available in the Israel market in 2020.
The name ‘Octavia’ first appeared in the Skoda model range in 1959. The rear-wheel drive two-door sedan, which had a ‘semi-frame’ design and independent suspension of all wheels, was produced under this name. The very first Octavia was produced until 1971.
First generation
The first generation of the modern Skoda Octavia was produced from 1996 to 2010. It was restyled in 2000. Skoda decided to use the Octavia name again in 1996. This is the name of a completely new car, created on the Volkswagen PQ34 (A4) platform, on which the fourth generation Volkswagen Golf was also assembled. Cars with liftback bodies and station wagons with ‘Volkswagen’ gasoline and diesel power units were offered to buyers. The automated transmission was available as an alternative to a manual transmission. After restyling in 2000, the first Skoda Octavia received new front and rear lighting, bumpers, and interior design. In the same year, the first RS liftback appeared with a reinforced body and sporty suspension settings.
Second generation
The second generation of Skoda Octavia was produced from 2004 to 2013. It was restyled in 2008. The second Octavia is based on the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform, also used in the 2nd generation Audi A3, 5th generation Golf, 2nd generation Seat Leon. The 2nd generation Octavia received a new body, increased legroom for passengers in the rear seats, an increased baggage compartment, which became a record in its class. Independent rear suspension was now installed on all versions of the Octavia. Models began to be equipped with automated manual transmissions for the first time, at that time it was an advanced solution for its class.
Third generation
The third generation Skoda Octavia was produced from 2012 to 2019. It was restyled in 2016. The third Octavia is based on the modular platform MQB of the VAG concern. The new model turned out to be larger and more spacious than its predecessor while being lighter. At the same time, there was an increase in the internal space. The trunk volume was again a record in the class, it was 610 liters with rear seats unfolded and 1740 liters with rear seats unfolded for the Combi station wagon. The rear suspension was semi-independent or multi-link, depending on the engine installed.
Skoda Octavia is the most popular Škoda model in the entire history of the company. More than 7 million cars of all generations were produced by 2019.
The 3rd generation Octavia is the first Škoda to be equipped with a front radar and multi-function camera. There are such important electronic assistants as Front Assist, which warns of a possible collision from the front and can brake urgently if necessary, Adaptive Cruise Assistant which is adaptive cruise control, Lane Assistant which is a lane-keeping system, Intelligent Light Assistant which is automatic high beam control, road sign recognition, Crew Protect Assistant which is proactive protection of passengers and Driver Activity Assistant which is control of driver fatigue.
The third generation of the Octavia is available in a wide range of markets in a wide range of modifications, including the sports version of the Octavia RS, the all-wheel drive Octavia 4×4, its station wagon with increased ground clearance, the Octavia Scout, the ‘extra economical’ Octavia GreenLine and the compressed natural gas Octavia G-TEC.
Fourth generation
The fourth generation Skoda Octavia debuted at the very end of 2019, sales started in 2020. The newest Octavia uses the same platform as its predecessor while maintaining the wheelbase, but has increased in all dimensions, received a completely different design solution for the exterior and interior, significantly changed technical stuffing, expanded lists of standard and optional equipment.
The size of the luggage compartment has increased again from 590 to 600 liters for the liftback and from 610 to 640 liters for the Combi which is a record in the class again. The aerodynamic parameters have changed significantly, the drag coefficient Cx for the liftback decreased from 0.29 to 0.24, and for the cargo-passenger version, it changed from 0.31 to 0.26.
The new Skoda Octavia has again increased the size of the luggage compartment from 590 to 600 liters for the liftback and from 610 to 640 liters for the Combi, and this is again a record in the class.
There are such new options for the Skoda Octavia 2019/2020 as matrix LED headlights, rear lights with dynamic direction indicators, radar cruise control, automatic braking, and stopping. Traffic Jam Assist can replace the driver in a crawling traffic jam. The stabilization system tells you exactly where to turn the steering wheel to safely avoid obstacles in an emergency. The Exit Warning function warns when the door is opened when a cyclist or other car is approaching from behind.
The 2020 Skoda Octavia boasts a colored head-up screen on the windshield, a digital assistant with constant Internet access and voice control, 3-zone climate control, massage and ventilated front seats, acoustic-insulated front side windows, retractable curtains on the rear side windows, touch control sunroof. There can be up to 9 airbags in total, including the driver’s knee airbag and curtains.
