by Emmy Griffiths and Chris Jefferies
Skoda has unveiled the UK specification and price details for their brand new Skoda Octavia Estate, which is due to make its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
This model has a lot to live up to, as Skoda has earned a strong reputation in the caravanning community, after winning the 2011 Caravan Club Towcar of the Year for the Superb Estate.
In fact, the Czech company has gone a long way towards shaking off its previously shabby reputation, with 2012 seeing a record level of more than 50,000 new Skodas being sold in the UK.
The new Octavia design claims to set new standards in terms of space, practically, versatility and quality in the compact segment, and the 13-model range is available in Skoda’s three trim levels, S, SE and Elegance.
The price also shows exceptional value for money, and combined with excellent functionality and fuel-efficient engines, this model is expected to prove very popular with UK customers as a caravan tow-car.
Pricing and features
The new Octavia Estate will be available in the UK with four advanced engine options: two petrol and two diesel.
Prices start from a reasonable £16,790 for a 1.2-litre petrol version, with the flagship 2.0-litre diesel model costing £24,040. Diesel versions start from £18,840.
The car comes with ‘Simply Clever’ features, including a double-sided boot floor mat, multiple bag hooks and even a waste bin as well as cubby holes for bottles, keys and gadgets in the spacious cabin and an ice scraper behind the fuel flap.
The range also boasts a luggage compartment, retractable parcel shelf and roof bars which are standard across the range, whilst the SE and Elegence specifically benefit from a remote fold-down function for the rear seats.
There are a number of advanced technologies normally reserved for high-segment vehicles making their debut in the new Octavia, and some of them are becoming available for the first time ever in a Skoda.
One of the new features is the adaptive cruise assistant, which is a system that automatically maintains a pre-set distance to the car ahead.
There is also the new and exciting Intelligent Light Assistant (standard on Elegance) which will switch to high beam and back automatically, a useful and clever safety measure for country road driving.
Bay and parallel parking will now be easier than ever before with the Octavia thanks to the Automatic Parking Assistant. Also, for the first time ever, the Octavia will introduce traffic sign recognition as part of the optional Columbus sat nav system.
During the development of the Skoda Octavia, safety measures were key, and as a result there is a host of cutting-edge safety systems for the new Octavia including the Driver Fatigue sensor, the Crew Protection Assistant and the Lane Assistant to keep you inside the lanes.
Looks and practicality
The sleek lines of the new Octavia should have a broad appeal, while the dark window surrounds are a classy touch that gives it more than a passing resemblance to the new VW Passat Estate.
An electric panoramic sliding/tilting sunroof is also available for the new Skoda Octavia Estate. Comprising two parts – the front part can be tilted and shifted electrically, while the rear section is fixed – the entire roof module is made of tinted, heat-insulated glass.
Tax and fuel consumption
The Skoda Octavia Estate boasts of low CO2 emissions with engines up to 17% more economical than previous generation units.
There is also a fuel-efficient GreenLine version which is available in the UK later in 2013, offering CO2 emissions of 87g/km, meaning you will pay much lower Vehicle Excise Duty.
Towing and boot capacity
The car is 90 mm longer than its predecessor at 4.66 metres long and is 45 mm wider, which should add to towing stability.
The interior space has also improved, with leg room at the rear increasing by 73 mm and headroom at the front and rear of the car changing from 981 to 983 mm and 984 to 995 mm. Passenger elbow and shoulder room has also grown considerably.
The Boot space measures 610 litres (20 litres more than the new Octavia Hatch) – a record for the segment – and expands to a massive 1,740 litres with the rear seats down.
The boot opening offers improved access, making loading extremely easy; and the width of the boot is a maximum 1,070 mm.
Kerbweights for this range are yet to be confirmed, with an announcement expected nearer to the June 2013 arrival date, but if the previous Octavia Estate is anything to go by then this should prove more than a match for most mid-weight caravans.
Skoda has done some great work improving its image in the last ten years, and with this latest redesign they will surely keep winning over the skeptics for some time yet.
