So. if the track requires frequent exits for overtaking and operational changes, it is better to set the Normal or Sport mode. In them, the layer of "silicone" under the "gas" pedal becomes smaller, the response of the car improves. How much? In absolute terms - for a considerable two seconds during acceleration from 80 to 120 kilometers per hour. ...
If the track is free and sharp accelerations are not required, it is quite possible to get by with the eco-mode. It worsens acceleration, but allows you to maintain high speed. Moreover, with relative silence: the operation of the motor in the cabin is almost not audible. But, unfortunately, there are many other noises. For example, the oncoming air flow is clearly audible already at 90-100 km / h. And on rough roads, "crickets" can be heard under the trim panels.
It's time to talk about the main thing that made up the highlight of the test of the new "Octavia". The car turned out to be phenomenally economical! Without using the cruise control function, it consumed about 5.6 - 5.7 liters per 100 km on the highway. I did not "brake" (test speeds reached 140 km/h) and did not linger in the ECO position, periodically going through all the possible modes. However, the result exceeded all expectations.
But even more he surpassed them when I activated the "cruise". I set the limit at 110 km / h and ... and after a while I was convinced that the average consumption fluctuates between 5.2 and 5.4 liters per 100 km! At the same time, I often had to pick up speed for overtaking. So, in the "cruise" mode, I covered under three hundred kilometers, after which, on a 100-kilometer section of the M9 highway, I turned it off ... and as a result, I arrived in Moscow with an average consumption of 5.4 liters. Since then, I've had trips around the city, as well as on slower and busier country roads, but the average consumption has only increased to 6.0 liters per 100 km.
So for now, the 1.4-litre turbo Skoda Octavia tops the fuel economy rating of the gasoline cars I've tested. Her closest rivals I know are the Kia Picanto with a 1.2-liter 87-horsepower engine and automatic, as well as the "mechanical" Nissan Tiida, which had a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine with a capacity of 117 hp. With. These models during my tests showed, respectively, 5.5- and 5.6-liter average consumption. Again, not for a short time, but for significant runs. On Tiida, for example, I covered 1100 kilometers in the Tver, Pskov and Novgorod regions only on the first test day.
The new Octavia has such serious options as active cruise control (with automatic deceleration to a complete stop), full LED headlights, lane and blind spot monitoring systems, an “assistant” when leaving the parking lot in reverse, the Columbus multimedia system with navigation and a 9.2-inch touchscreen, a contactless smartphone charging pad and a heated steering wheel.
Naturally, the diesel analogues of the Octavia are not taken into account. However... I accidentally came across a short report from one of the Russian travelers who rented a diesel version of a Czech model in Western Europe. Its fuel consumption result is 5.5 liters per 100 km, however, with "mechanics", along mountain serpentines and speeds up to 200 km / h on autobahns.
Hybrid cars, of course, also do not make sense to compare with pure gasoline, but, again, tests show that in order to achieve maximum fuel economy and use electric drive for the most part, you have to drive a hybrid very slowly and sadly. Yes, and the consumption will be a little less, you can meet five liters per hundred, but not without tricks.
...and an umbrella to boot
What else do I remember about Skoda Octavia? Yes, in fact, nothing. In terms of handling, it is a solid middle peasant, it rides exactly on its own money. Probably, in this regard, 1.8-liter versions with multi-link suspension should be ahead (for 1.6- and 1.4-liter rears, semi-independent, with a torsion beam). Nothing outstanding, nothing extraordinary. A calm family-cottage liftback, very reminiscent of a sedan in profile, which is highly appreciated by our consumers. Of course, they will be pleased with the new design of the front of the cabin, there is no longer a budget "emptiness" and savings. And the abundance of functions-options is also an obvious plus. It doesn't matter that the driver settings of the car are not too striking, far, in particular, from Audi Drive Select. But they are, and they can be flaunted in front of less sophisticated competitors.
And Octavia has a lot of competitors in our market, and everyone takes something of their own. The sports and gambling component plays on the side of the Ford Focus. The steering drive of the updated Peugeot 408 with hydraulics outweighs the Octavia's electromechanical device. Close to it in terms of capacity, but a little more cost-effective sedan Nissan Almera.
She has an opponent in the same "camp", this is Volkswagen Jetta. What makes it stand out? In fact, most of the pluses, oddly enough, are on the Octavia's side: with the same volume of turbo engines, its engine is more powerful and "momentary"; the fuel tank of the Czech model is 5 liters larger, and the trunk is almost 50 liters larger. Octavia wins both in acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h (it is faster by 1.5 seconds), and in terms of fuel consumption (0.5 liters more economical). In fact, the Jetta is ahead only in the sense that it has an independent multi-link rear suspension in all trim levels and the ground clearance is declared at 160 mm, for the front-wheel drive Octavia it is 5 mm lower.
And, of course, the "average" design does not play into the hands of the Jetta. Still, it is boring in terms of design of both the body and the interior. The exterior design of the updated Skoda Octavia is more interesting, but it also does not cause delight, I have heard skeptical statements about it more than once. Like, they made the body “weighty” to give status, but they didn’t bother with the design. Four headlights instead of two? Two looked prettier, but in terms of lighting, four did not add anything. Here, cornering lights with fog lights (which automatically light up even when turned off) are a plus.
Well, design by design, equipment by equipment, but what about reliability? After all, it is not by chance that half of the Octavia buyers opt for cars with a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine and a hydromechanical automatic machine, and the 1.4-liter turbo version with a "robot" attracts only a fifth of customers. According to statistics, the number of calls to the service related to malfunctions of the new "robot" has decreased by a hundred (!!) times. But I happened to hear an opinion about the fragility of the Octavia suspension, especially the anti-roll bars. Allegedly, someone, tired of changing them every 20 thousand kilometers, ordered a familiar turner to fit these parts from a completely different car model, and the problem disappeared. Special case?
However, let's be honest: a dim design is a matter of taste, and the suspension of almost any car can be "killed" for 20 thousand kilometers and even faster, you just need to try. But what you can’t take away from the updated Octavia is the capacity of the passenger compartment and trunk, as well as the level of equipment that is growing literally from year to year. Which, one way or another, emphasizes the status of the model. In the test car, for example, a small cylindrical container with ... an umbrella was found in front under the passenger seat! Such additional equipment was recently available to the flagship model of Skoda - Superb. I wonder what luxury options will be offered to buyers of the next generation Octavia? Maybe chairs with ventilation and massage function? Or "suckers" - door closers? Laughter with laughter, and the demands of an audience that chooses cars of this class and price range are growing by leaps and bounds.
Specifications Skoda Octavia 1.4T DSG7
DIMENSIONS, MM
4670 x 1814 x 1476
WHEELBASE, MM
GROUND CLEARANCE, MM
MINIMUM TURNING RADIUS, M
CURRENT WEIGHT, KG
CARGO VOLUME, MIN. / MAX., L
ENGINE'S TYPE
R4, turbocharged petrol
and direct fuel injectionWORKING VOLUME, CUBE CM
MAX. POWER, HP AT RPM
MAX. TORQUE, NM AT RPM
front
TRANSMISSION
robotic, 7-st.
ACCELERATION 0-100 KM/H, S
MAX. SPEED, KM/H
AVERAGE FUEL CONSUMPTION, L/100 KM
TANK VOLUME, L
Author Andrey Ladygin, columnist for the portal "MotorPage" Edition site Photo photo of the author
In the best traditions of the Skoda company, the new Octavia is the perfection of German technology and practicality at an adequate price. The flagship of the brand has become faster, more economical and more spacious. But not everything is as perfect as it might seem at first glance. To test cars in Russian realities, we went to a two-day marathon along the route Kazan - Yoshkar-Ola - Cheboksary - Kazan. And for me, as the owner of the previous generation Octavia (in the Scout version), it was especially important to find the advantages and disadvantages of the new model in comparison with the previous generation.
Go!
The new car is the first Skoda model to use the new universal platform of the MQB group. In short, VW AG is systematically moving towards capturing the entire automotive world on the planet and is constantly increasing the volume of car production. To reduce costs and accelerate the introduction of new technologies, the maximum unification of parts between the concern's models is needed. Previously, there were several basic chassis sizes for each class of cars, usually each class had a fixed wheelbase, which imposed restrictions on the ability to get cars of different nature and purpose within the same class (for example, Audi A3, Golf 5 and 6 and Octavia of the second generation have same wheelbase). Now the concern has developed a single universal MQB platform for absolutely all vehicles with a transverse engine (there is also an MLB platform for engines located longitudinally), changing the wheelbase, track width and distance between individual chassis elements, designers can use the same platform as on a compact urban hatch and business class sedan.
This move allows you to significantly reduce production costs and use a perfect chassis with unified parts on all models of the concern, while not depriving each model of individuality.
In general, Octavia is long overdue for an update. The previous generation was put into production in 2004, and only a global restyling in 2008 with an update of the entire model range of engines allowed Octavia even now, in 2013, not to look like a black sheep compared to competitors. On the new generation, the technical difference between the “premium” Audi and the “budget” Skoda is even less noticeable. All differences essentially come down to the quality of finishing materials, and only especially ardent fans of the Skoda brand will notice the difference.
Overall dimensions compared to the previous generation. As for space for passengers and luggage, the Octavia is the undisputed leader in the C class. A change in the layout of the chassis and an increase in the wheelbase by 10 centimeters made it possible to “carve out” another 7 centimeters for the legs of the rear passengers!
The design of the model is dominated by chopped lines and sharp edges, which gives the car a solid appearance. The new Octavia looks most advantageous in profile and from the rear, and the front view, in my opinion, is spoiled by thin LED strips of daytime running lights, the thickness of which is completely out of harmony with the rest of the front of the car, and especially with the new grille.
Liftbacks will be assembled in Russia, at a plant in Nizhny Novgorod, and this will not be a SKD assembly, but a full-cycle production. Station wagon Kombi, as before, will be assembled in the Czech Republic, at a plant in Mladá Boleslav. All cars for Russia will come with a package for bad roads. Ground clearance is 155 millimeters, which is more than enough for a passenger car. The test also showed that the cars lacked the buildup and unpleasant rebound damping that the previous generation Octavias were famous for. Then the problem was that in order to increase the clearance at the factory, only the springs were changed, while the shock absorbers remained the same. On the new generation, shock absorbers are also probably changed (the issue requires a detailed study of catalogs and equipment).
Managed the new Octavia is easy and pleasant. There is also the merit of the new electric power steering, which at low speeds allows you to rotate the steering wheel with the little finger of one hand, and at high speed the steering wheel is somewhat heavy, but its sensitivity decreases (it feels like the appearance of free play). This has a very positive effect when driving at high speeds - sharp maneuvers when taxiing are excluded.
It should also be noted that the steering rack is shorter, now the steering wheel makes 2.6 full turns from lock to lock and this is a definite plus when maneuvering in narrow streets and yards. On the last generation Octavia, the steering wheel made 3 full turns from lock to lock, and this required steering with interception even when turning 90 degrees in a narrow street.
With engines, the situation is no less interesting. Three turbocharged petrol engines and one diesel engine will be available in Russia. All gasoline engines are the latest generation of EA211 series engines (they have a little more detail below) with a volume of 1.2 to 1.8 liters and a power of 105 to 180 horsepower. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel has 143 horsepower and will only be offered in tandem with a DSG6 wet robotic gearbox.
In terms of dynamic characteristics, motors set real records. Compared to the previous generation of Octavia, the new 1.4TSI is about the same as the 1.8 of the previous generation in terms of dynamics, and the Octavia with the new 1.8TSI breathes into the back of the head of the two-liter Octavia RS of the previous generation. It's no joke, the new 1.8TSI takes only 7.4 seconds to accelerate to hundreds.
The driver's workplace and controls are standardized for almost all models of the VW AG concern. This means that the owner of the previous generation of Octavia with his eyes closed will be able to adjust the fit and find the right buttons. Compared to the previous Octavia, there are fewer drawers and compartments. A 1.5-litre bottle will no longer fit in the door pocket, and an excellent box for electronic gadgets or sunglasses has disappeared from the center panel (they, of course, do not fit in the regular glasses compartment on the overhead console). But the driver got a full-fledged door handle, just like the passengers got the power window buttons at hand, and not somewhere in the corner of the door handle. Also, in order to open the doors closed by the central lock, there is no need to frantically pull the handle twice (the owner is used to it, but random passengers now and then try to tear off the handle on the previous generation Octavia). The cabin has become a little more spacious.
But a very controversial innovation - the new Octavia lost the floor gas pedal. It is clear that this is due to the unification of the chassis and saving a few centimeters between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment, but now in disputes with the owners of cars with a propeller on the hood (a floor gas pedal is a hallmark of BMW cars) there is one less argument. As for the real sensations - on the mechanics you have to twist your right foot to make a regassing, and on the track it is more difficult to control the fixed position of the pedal with your right foot, cruise control saves.
For the new navigation system Columbus, you can put a solid five. Unfortunately, it does not have a wireless router, Internet access and downloading satellite images, as in the Audi MMI Navigation Plus, but the map detail is excellent, the screen resolution is excellent, and touch controls, including multi-touch, practically do not slow down. And one more "trick" - sensors are installed in front of the screen, which react not to the approach of the hand. It is worth raising your hand, as the control buttons pop up on the screen at the bottom of the touch screen. I didn’t like the thickness of the screen cover, if you poke your finger hard at the screen, it will be noticeable how it bends, and the image around is blurred.
New paddle shifters are more convenient, functionally everything remains in place. It is unlikely that cars with adaptive cruise control will be brought to Russia, and therefore there will be no additional lever on the left to control its functions.
On the test, the first batch of cars, even the Czech assembly. On those produced in Russia there will be no Start-Stop system, no braking energy recovery, nor the ability to turn off two cylinders from a 1.4-liter engine. From electronic systems, we are also unlikely to see a lane control system, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beam control, Driving Mode Selection and much more that is available in Europe. But in Russia there will be an automatic valet of the next generation, which can park both parallel and perpendicular. And most importantly - a circular parktonik. This is perhaps the best invention in recent years in the automotive industry. Moreover, everything ingenious is simple - side sensors are basic for an automatic parking attendant, the engineers only had to turn them on to work with a regular parking sensor.
So that the owners of Octavius are not at all arrogant (“I bought an Audi half the price”), some details remained unchanged. For example, a mechanical handbrake has long been asked to be thrown into the dustbin of automotive history. It takes up a lot of space and is completely inconvenient to use with the armrest extended and raised (as in the previous generation). But in Skoda they came up with the simplest invention - a holder for a mobile phone in a cup holder. And that's not counting the special compartment for a mobile phone with a signal booster. And in the door pockets there are special compartments for garbage with replaceable bags - perhaps this is the best invention in the entire history of the automotive industry.
Part of the useful space of the glove box is now occupied by the navigation system module with DVD and two slots for SD cards. Also on the front panel, a USB connector has finally appeared. Separately, I want to draw attention to the ability to watch movies on the Columbus screen - this is not Apple, which worries about the creators' copyrights, navigation reads almost all video file formats downloaded directly from torrents with great pleasure.
Now, for a modest 16 thousand rubles, you can order not an unknown Sound System for Octavia, but a real Canton with an amplifier and a subwoofer in the trunk. The acoustics are decent, but it is better to pay attention to where the tweeter is placed. On the previous generation, the “tweeters” were located next to the door handles and the following problem arose for the driver - if you put your left hand on the window sill, it blocked the sound from the left speaker, which was well felt by ear. Also look at the right side mirror, now it also has an automatic dimming function (as well as the left and salon ones), which for some reason was absent in principle on the previous generation. Side mirrors have become smaller, but visibility is not affected.
Keyless entry and engine start with a button are optionally available. At the same time, the button remained in the same place on the steering column, where the larva of an ordinary lock was. External sensors are present only on the front door handles and trunk - alas, this is not premium.
The dashboard has become simpler, with more "air". The readability of the readings has improved, but I didn’t understand why it was necessary to make such a huge daily mileage reset button. In the center is a high-resolution Maxidot color display, which, perhaps, does not know how to show a movie. It is quite heavily overloaded with information, but there is nothing superfluous on it. Mention should be made of the attention to detail, namely the odometer, which is complemented by an animation in the style of mechanical meters, with numbers scrolling up.
The seats have received more developed lateral support and have an excellent range of adjustments.
Pay attention to the plastic of the front panel, from the photo it seems that it is quite rough and hard. There is some truth in this - it has become tougher, but not much, but it looks really worse. Door cards have become tougher (on the rear doors, as well as on the restyled Octavia of the previous generation - plywood). Of course, this is the most senseless idea to check the "softness" of the plastic in the cabin, and based on this, draw a conclusion about the car. The main thing is that the cabin is quiet and nothing creaks. In terms of sound insulation, the new Octavia has stepped far ahead, while despite the overall reduction in vehicle weight, the thickness of the side windows, for example, has only increased.
The space on the second row can be compared to Superb.
A driver with a height of 180 cm can easily sit down behind himself and at the same time cross his legs without touching the back of the seat in front.
Of the "pleasures" for the rear passengers, in addition to seat heating, which was also present on the previous generation of Octavia, there is now a 220-volt outlet.
The trunk is the main pride of Octavia owners. 570 liters of net volume, which will fit more than one bag of potatoes. A subwoofer now lives on the left, and under the floor, as before, a full-size spare wheel with a jack and a tool (there is no spare wheel in European versions).
It is not enough for Skoda engineers to make a good car, they are trying in every possible way to improve it. Here, for example, is an ice scraper located on the back of the gas tank hatch. Along the way, journalists discovered another potential use for it - lighting a fire on a bright sunny day. True, it was not possible to set fire to a sheet of paper, but I think that if we hint about this to the engineers, we will soon see an improved scraper with a modified lens shape. And I want to draw the attention of all car owners of the VW AG concern - absolutely all cars for Russia are labeled 98 (95) RON / ROZ, although in fact both new and old engines have their own fuel specifications (usually 95 or 95 / 91).
About motors will be a separate story. We will not discuss the diesel engine, we are only talking about gasoline modifications. This is the latest range of EA211 series engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 liters. What's new in them? There was a refusal from the timing chain drive, now the belt is used again (this has a positive effect on the noise level - the new engines are very quiet throughout the entire rev range). But the belt will no longer need to be changed and it is designed for the entire life of the car. Now the exhaust manifold is a single part with the cylinder head, which made it possible to significantly accelerate the engine warm-up in the cold season (the main problem of TSI engines of the previous generation, which the manufacturer solved on low-power 1.2 and 1.4 by installing additional heating elements to warm up the passenger compartment). And the intercooler was combined with the intake manifold. In general, there are so many technical innovations in new generation engines that you can write more than one article.
The braking system has also been changed. Everyone knows a serious problem with the previous generation Octavia Scout, which has brakes that do not match the weight of the car. As for the usual Octavia, the situation has also changed for the better. The smallest front brake discs are 288 mm (for the version with the 1.2TSI engine), and the 1.8TSI discs are 312 mm in diameter (the same as on the previous generation Octavia RS). If you look at the catalog of parts, then for the already presented Octavia RS of the new generation, they will also offer front brake discs with a diameter of 340 mm! And do not forget that the mass of the new Octavia has decreased by about 100 kilograms. The new brakes are excellent and more than enough for emergency braking of the car at any speed.
There is also bad news. Cars with an engine of less than 150 horsepower will be content with a semi-independent beam instead of a rear multi-link suspension. While the 180-strong 1.8TSI has an updated multi-link suspension on the rear axle. What's wrong with a beam? Firstly, the suspension is noticeably stiffer with it, and this is especially noticeable on a broken road with medium-sized pits - the rear wheels cannot handle pits independently of each other and the impacts fall on the body and passengers. If we talk about handling when cornering (in conditions of public roads, not a track), then here the difference with a multi-link is minimal. Another thing is that the model with the 1.4TSI engine will most likely be in the greatest demand, which means that drivers will have to put up with a less comfortable suspension if they plan to drive a lot on bad roads. Or take the version with a 1.8-liter engine.
The out-of-town test route passed through Yoshkar-Ola (pictured on the left), where the mayor of the city did an excellent job and decided to build copies of all the iconic places of the largest megacities in the world in the city center. It looks too pretentious, especially against the background of completely broken roads in the city center (it was here that the shortcomings of the rear suspension with a beam on a car with a 1.4TSI engine were fully revealed). After that, there were cute and cozy Cheboksary, and in the end - the island city of Sviyazhsk (on the right in the photo), which a few years ago represented the ruins. Now it has been almost completely restored (an asphalt road was laid, excursion bureaus were opened), and local residents have become part of the museum exposition.
As for the drive, the 1.8TSI undoubtedly tears all competitors to shreds, both in the version with mechanics and with the DSG7. Here, special attention should be paid to the torque of the new motors (photos 3 and 8), as you can see in 1.4TSI and 1.8TSI, the torque bar is electronically limited at around 250 Nm. Analyzing the components used, we can draw a simple conclusion - it's all about the torque limit for the DSG7 robotic box with dry clutches, which was popularly deciphered as "Two Clutches per Year" (for those who rape it with daily traffic jams). The DSG7 itself has not changed much, in D mode it goes to the highest stage at the first opportunity and blunts to accelerate quickly if necessary, and in Sport mode it keeps the engine in good shape at high speeds, which is somewhat annoying with increased noise (although it is worth noting that new engines noticeably quieter, including the merit of using a timing belt instead of a chain). On the track, everything is decided by driving in S mode on a cruise (only then the box goes to 7th gear, while without a cruise it will stubbornly hold on to sixth gear). By the way, the gear lever has lost its fixed mode S, now it is turned on by rolling the lever down - the advantage of this solution is that you can directly turn on the manual mode from S, without passing through D. On the mechanics, the clutch pedal has become stiffer and more elastic, this is unlikely fans of driving through Moscow traffic jams will like it.
Feels like overclocking, everything again rests on the torque bar at around 250 Nm. The control unit limits the torque (although the same 1.8TSI, according to rough estimates, is capable of delivering 320 Nm without any modifications, at least comparing it with the existing third-generation EA888) and the surge of adrenaline during acceleration no longer covers the head. For normal operation, the 1.4TSI engine is enough for the eyes, and 1.8TSI is almost the RS of the previous generation. In terms of fuel consumption, 1.4TSI is especially worth noting. On the track in the mode of 110-120 km / h with dynamic overtaking, he showed a consumption of 6.6 liters on the on-board computer (cars are new, with a mileage of 200-300 km, not run-in).
And a few words about prices. Compared with the previous generation, with similar equipment, the new Octavia can even come out cheaper. The basic version of 1.2TSI on the mechanics starts from 590 thousand rubles. It is much more interesting to pay attention to the cost of the base 1.8TSI on the mechanics - 840 thousand rubles. It can be stuffed almost to the eyeballs with options and it will come out exactly 1 million rubles. And these are the lowest prices among competitors.
Do you know at least one car that can accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour in less than 8 seconds and at a cost of no more than 1 million rubles? Let me remind you that the Octavia 1.8TSI on the mechanics costs from 840 thousand rubles (and not in the most basic configuration), while it is a large and comfortable family car.
More recently, a new Octavia RS with a two-liter engine with 220 horsepower was announced, but we will wait for the new Octavia Scout (with a 5th generation Haldex clutch), which is expected to go into production at the very beginning of 2014.
The stylishly updated facade of the new Octavia promises change. But for the company, there is no point in a serious reworking of such a successful car. Football coaches are regularly reminded that it is foolish to shuffle the composition of a team that wins matches. And the share of the liftback accounts for more than half of all Skoda sold. But along with the introduction of the new MQB platform, to which all compact cars of the Volkswagen concern are being transferred, the new generation of Octavia had to change. But carefully; so as not to scare away those who have been regularly paying salaries to employees of a Czech company for a decade and a half. Owners of Skoda Octavia, if anyone does not understand.
In the parking lot in front of the hotel at the Kazan ski resort, not far from the Tatar capital, a dozen brand new liftbacks lined up. The differences between them, at first glance, are reduced only to the color of the body. But if you look closely, then on the edge of the tailgate of some cars you could see small spoilers - this is how the designers marked the 1.8-liter 180-horsepower engines. Other than that, I didn't notice any difference.
1 / 3
2 / 3
3 / 3
It’s a pity that diesel engines are not provided for the test, because, to the delight of fans of diesel-powered vehicles, the Czechs again began to deliver heavy-fuel versions to Russian dealers - with a 2.0-liter 143-horsepower engine. It would be interesting to ride on them - it's a pity, but it was not possible to do this. However, given the initial price of 924,000 rubles for a poor version of the Ambition with a manual transmission, I suspect that few people will be interested in such Octavia modifications. And the Skodovites themselves do not place special hopes on diesel cars.
Another thing is gasoline. Moreover, the new Skoda Octavia completely lost atmospheric engines - now everything is only turbocharged. There is no disaster in this, in BMW, for example, they have long abandoned naturally aspirated engines. Turbo engines are economical, and most importantly, they are damn good in dynamics. Particularly interesting are the 1.4- and 1.8-liter units, each of which has become noticeably more powerful than on the previous Octavia: now the engines develop 140 and 180 hp. respectively.
The most powerful Octavia is fire! A real provocateur. I think it will become an internal competitor for the RS modification, which will appear later this year. It shoots like it's been stung! It is necessary to slightly press the gas, and the speedometer needle will indicate the danger of being fined. And if you press it properly, then then a slow ride will seem like torture. I loosened the pressure of my right foot - the DSG gearbox, taking care of economy, would quietly tuck in the seventh speed, keeping gasoline in the tank and clean air in the atmosphere.
And if you need to accelerate, the “automatic” will spit on the environment, immediately going down three or four steps, and the liftback will forcefully pull ahead. On the track - happiness: you can overtake a chain of trucks in seconds, even in fifth gear. An excellent engine, but it seems to me that the Volkswagen Jetta would fit better: the customers of the "Germans" are ready to operate with slightly larger amounts of money, and a rare fan of Czech vehicles will pay 840,000 rubles for a fast white car with a manual gearbox, air conditioning and steel wheels. Moreover, by paying 24,000 rubles to the price of such a version, you can get a 140-horsepower Octavia with an “automatic”, climate control, cruise control, alloy wheels and other delights ...
In addition, when changing to a new Skoda Octavia with a less powerful engine, you do not feel any restrictions in terms of dynamics. Compared to the 122-horsepower version, Octavia did not go much faster, but acceleration was already vigorous both in the city and on the highway. Fuel consumption - judging by the on-board computer - does not exceed 7 liters, even with pushing in traffic jams and frequent overtaking.
Unlike 1.8-liter cars, the "budget" versions of the new Skoda Octavia have a different rear suspension. Instead of an advanced multi-link in the top modification, the simpler versions have a semi-independent rear beam. It is structurally simpler, hence the lower cost of the node itself, as well as the cost of maintenance. But there are differences in suspension and "feel".
The roads between the cities of Kazan, Yoshkar-Ola and Cheboksary are of good, and in some places quite decent quality. But in the cities themselves, the situation often looks worse: pits, bumps, cracks - everything that we have long been accustomed to. Beam machines are less smooth; Octavia with semi-dependent suspension shakes more on bumps, their reactions to the driver's signals for a sharp change of lane are a little slower. But the difference is almost imperceptible - liftbacks rulitsya superbly. Shkodovites, on the other hand, say that the lack of smoothness is inherent only in unloaded cars, while those filled with luggage and people to the eyeballs of Octavia are much softer and smoother. I'll have to take my word for it - there was no opportunity to check this ...
Changes in the cabin did not make Octavia look new, rather, differently. The shape of the diffusers from rectangular has turned into an irregular trapezoid (repeating the design of foglights); the interior door handles have been modified, the graphics of the display between the instrument scales have improved, the mechanism for opening the glove box has been slightly changed. For some reason, the Czechs refused the floor gas pedal: apparently, this “innovation” is due to the MQB platform - after all, the suspended gas pedal is now on the new VW Golf VII, and on.
The laconic design of the instrument panel remained virtually untouched. A small display is very informative, but it glares in the sun.
The previous generation Octavia was one of the most spacious in the class, and rear passengers were especially comfortable. The new version has become even more spacious, but now the front row has become freer. As in the Passat, no more! And behind the driver with a height of 180 cm, a taller person can easily sit down.
The only place in the Octavia where a mobile phone can "rest" is an optional rubber pocket. In the photo on the right - an ice scraper hidden under the gas tank hatch.
In addition, there is an interesting detail in the back row that is unusual for cars of this class: a 230V socket from which you can charge your mobile phone - if you don’t have the usual “charging” through the cigarette lighter at hand. In general, more and more attention is being paid to smartphones in cars: as an option, Skoda even offers a rubber phone holder installed in the cup holder between the front seats. Not an essential item, but I hadn't noticed anything like it before. Nice.
To thoughtfully scroll through all the sections of the on-board multimedia system on the center console, it will take more than one hour. Your finger will get tired of scrolling...
The on-board computer will give odds to the screens of smartphones: in a tactile way, you can press buttons, scroll through menu items and even change the scale of the map by sliding or spreading two fingers! There are no complaints about the operation of the multimedia system, regular navigation has never failed: not a single turn was missed.
I like everything in the trunk of the Skoda Octavia: both the volume (568 liters with the rear seats up and 1558 with the rear seats folded down), and the organization of space with a lot of nets for fixing bags.
Drawing analogies between Czech cars and beer has become bad form. But the temptation is too great... Compared to German, Belgian, Japanese or English, Czech beer is the most ordinary foamy drink. No fancy raspberry or basil extracts, just water, malt and hops. And that doesn't stop the foamy pilsner from being one of the world's most beloved beers. Even vice versa. Skoda dealerships - like Czech pubs - will not be empty. They still serve comfortable thoughtful cars, "welded" as if specially for us. Cars that quench the thirst of a practical and accurate driver. Unless you can no longer call the Skoda Octavia affordable - I'm sure that next year the Rapid will be the most popular car of the brand in Russia.
The third generation Skoda Octavia debuted at the end of 2012. It is built on the modular MQB platform - the one that underlies the VW Golf VII and many other models of the German concern VW Group.
Compared with the second generation, the third Octavia has grown significantly. For example, the wheelbase has increased by 10.8 cm. The dimensions call into question positioning as a compact car. This model was somewhere between classes C and D. Despite the increase in dimensions, the weight decreased by almost 100 kg.
Octavia, as before, was offered in two body types: liftback and station wagon. The trunk of both versions is simply huge: 590-1580 and 610-1740 liters, respectively.
Fortunately, the manufacturer did not save on amplifiers in critical places. Skoda Octavia A7 earned 5 stars in crash tests. The predecessor was only able to get four stars.
At the beginning of 2017, a restyled version with dual headlights was introduced.
Modern equipment
The basic modifications of the Octavia A7 were equipped with a manual transmission, air conditioning, electric and heated exterior mirrors, front electric windows, 2 airbags, ABS and central locking.
For an additional fee, it was possible to significantly expand the level of equipment. For example, purchase a two-piece panoramic sunroof, active cruise control, emergency braking system, lane assistant, keyless entry and much more. The predecessor could not offer so much modern equipment.
Czech cars are valued for many useful solutions in the cabin (Simply Clever): a cooled temperature-controlled glove box, a vest under the driver's seat, openings in the front doors that can hold 1.5-liter bottles, an umbrella in the station wagon or the famous green glass scraper under the cover filling hatch.
The dimensions of the cabin cause a real delight among people in the first and second rows. Passengers with long legs on the back sofa will not have to complain about discomfort during long trips.
Engines
One of the popular gasoline engines is 1.4 TSI. The third Octavia uses its revised version EA211. Instead of a timing chain, a toothed belt is installed here. The engine has not yet created big problems, and oil consumption is within reasonable limits. Nothing is heard about the accumulation of soot.
However, many owners have to deal with turbo failures. The problem is the turbine actuator, which is sticking. Until September 2014, it was integrated into the turbocharger, so the entire assembly had to be replaced. After it became possible to change the actuator separately from the turbine.
Some owners point to the fact that the upgraded 1.4 TSI is much louder than the old EA111. Perhaps it's all about the simplified soundproofing.
The reliability of 1.2 TSI is also rated well. True, its power is clearly not enough for such a large car. The most powerful 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI are the same EA888 with a timing chain drive. Fortunately, there are no problems with the timing drive yet, and the issue of oil consumption is not as acute as before.
The new atmospheric 1.6 liter (now with a chain-type timing drive) sometimes closer to 100,000 km disappoints with the rather noisy operation of the gas pump or phase shifter.
The thermostat is a common ailment of cars with gasoline engines. Its malfunction can lead to underheating, and sometimes to overheating of the engine. He can refuse after 10-20 thousand km. After 50-100 thousand km, the pump can also fail.
The 1.6 TDI CR replaced the 1.9 TDI. It was not offered in Russia. In the basic version, the young motor has the same power and torque as the old engine. But the 1.6 TDI consumes less fuel - about 5.5 l/100 km. Even when fully loaded, it burns around 6.5 l/100 km. A typical problem with a small diesel engine is the premature failure of the water pump. Another common ailment is charge air sensor failure.
No less good is the 2.0 TDI CR (150 or 184 hp). Its main vulnerability is the timing belt tensioner, which does not withstand the 200,000 km allotted to it. It has to be changed closer to 150,000 km.
Transmission
The most expensive faults are associated with gearboxes. For example, there is premature wear of bearings in manual transmissions. In this case, a characteristic noise appears.
The notorious DSG has not relieved owners of anxiety. Although it is worth recognizing - the percentage of malfunctions has decreased. The worst opinions are collected by the DSG7 (DQ200) with a dry clutch. After 150-200 thousand km, repairs are practically unavoidable. However, there are also positive examples with trouble-free mileage of more than 350,000 km. Most often you have to change the clutch and release bearing, less often mechatronics. It is noteworthy that until 2014 the warranty for the robot was 5 years, and after that it was reduced to 2 years.
DSG6 (DQ250) with oil bath clutch turned out to be much more enduring. It is used only in combination with a 2-liter turbodiesel. The wet clutch DSG7 is only for the RS version with a 245 hp petrol engine.
The hydromechanical machine went to a 1.6-liter aspirated. He hasn't raised any objections yet.
Chassis
The universal platform allowed not only to increase the wheelbase, but also to use various types of suspensions. Depending on the engine version, a torsion beam or a lever system is installed in the rear of the Octavia. The multi-link scheme is used in the most powerful versions of 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI (RS), as well as in the presence of an all-wheel drive system.
The suspension has a decent lifespan, but often hits hard, especially in the rear on the beam versions. It is possible to get rid of noise by replacing standard shock absorbers with analogues. Knocking in the front, as a rule, occurs due to the banal wear of the struts and stabilizer bushings.
Typical problems and malfunctions
The first customers encountered electrical failures. In most cases, it was possible to get rid of ailments by updating the software. There were also problems with power windows. After replacing the switch, the problem did not return.
The touch screen of the Balero head unit is often buggy - it stops responding to touch, especially in wet weather. Dealers are changing the screen, and in the meantime, the owners have found a simple solution - the use of a protective film.
In a car with xenon, the headlight washer sometimes fails. Due to damage to the spring, the nozzle remains in the open position. The service completely changes the atomizer.
Another childhood disease is the spontaneous lowering of the back of the driver's seat with a mechanical adjustment of the position.
Special versions
Skoda Octavia RS
Octavia RS III was presented in 2013 at the Goodweed Festival of Speed. Like its predecessor, it was equipped with two engines: petrol 2.0 TSI / 220 hp. and diesel 2.0 TDI / 184 hp The RS has bigger brakes, lowered suspension and sports seats.
In 2015, a more powerful variation of the RS 230 was introduced with a 10 hp boost. 2.0 TSI and electronically controlled differential. It is capable of accelerating up to 250 km / h. In 2017, another limited edition RS 245 with 245 hp was presented.
Skoda Octavia Scout
The Scout version appeared in 2014 and was based on the Octavia Combi 4x4. It has increased ground clearance (by 31 mm), special lining on the body and 17-inch wheels. The transmission uses a 5th generation Haldex clutch. All Scouts, like all-wheel drive modifications, have a multi-link rear suspension.
Conclusion
The strengths of the Skoda Octavia are a huge interior and trunk, good equipment and the latest German Volkswagen technologies. Today, gasoline engines practically do not cause concern, but the DSG robot still haunts the owners.
Autotravel July 15, 2016 White BirdHaving set off on a trip to the Vladimir and Ryazan regions in a car created in a Slavic country, we tried to answer the question why the Skoda Octavia is so popular among Russians. The design, engineering and driving capabilities of the "Czech" made the trip equally comfortable and full of discovery.
15 0
Test drive February 26, 2015 Musical pause Some cars remain just a means of transportation all their lives. Others are still enjoyable. To the second group, we can include Skoda Octavia, with which we have become close acquaintances in a couple of months.
13 8
City slickers: Kia Cerato, Mazda 3, Skoda Octavia, VW Golf, Audi A3 
Comparison test
It is enough to look around to understand: the main battlefield for the hearts and wallets of consumers is the “C” segment. Serious battles are in full swing here. Over the years, "compact city cars" are getting bigger, more powerful engines, lower consumption, and richer basic equipment. After all, the consumer wants everything at once, and competitors do not forgive mistakes. And let the fighters, which will be discussed below, perform in slightly different price categories, each has a couple of signature moves in reserve.
three faces
Comparison test SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf look completely different, but are built on the same platform, and are identical in other respects. And how do these cars, born in one concern, go? Also the same? Now we know the answer to this question
