The 2020 Skoda Octavia is almost upon us and while we aren’t giddy with anticipation, we are indeed looking forward to its world premiere on the 11th of November.
“For ŠKODA, the Octavia is of immense importance. That’s why we’ve totally renewed this car. The outcome is the best Octavia of all time: it is even more spacious, more practical and safer than ever. Just in time for its 60th anniversary, we are taking a big step into the future with the new generation. Over the last six decades, the Octavia has contributed to the positive development of the company and the brand. I am very confident that the new generation will play its part in maintaining this positive development” said Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier.
Before its big unveil, we thought we’d walk you through some of the fourth-generation Octavia’s details that have been made public such as the larger dimensions, better aerodynamics, LED Matrix headlights, new interior concept, shift-by-wire DSG, driver assistance tech and finally its powertrain options.
Starting with dimensions, at 4,689mm the new Octavia ‘Combi’ wagon will be some 22mm longer than its predecessor while its width has grown by 15mm to 1829mm. The liftback's body length has increased by 19 mm to 4,689 mm and by 15 mm in width to 1,829 mm. The wheelbase for both body styles are the same as the previous generation, at 2,686mm.
As Maier mentioned, the Octavia has been redesigned to achieve better aerodynamics and claims a drag coefficient from 0.24 and 0.26 for the liftback and wagon respectively, thus reducing its fuel consumptions and CO2 emission figures.
LED lighting systems are nothing new to the car industry but to the range topping variant of the Octavia, it’s the first time LED Matrix headlights are employed. As a quick refresh, a Matrix LED system focuses multiple individually controlled beams of light into one. It can even engage the high beams without dazzling other drivers by using a windscreen-mounted camera and detection software. Dynamic indicators are also thrown in for good measure.
At the time of press, Skoda has released a few more details about the interior such as a 78mm increase in kneeroom than before with a 40-litre increase in boot space for the wagon which now stands at 640-litres. It also has a new two spoke steering wheel. From the sketch, we can see a couple of 10-inch screens for both the instrument cluster and infotainment. The brand says that the Octavia will be the first Skoda model to receive a head-up display. Rounding off the interior’s new features is the rocker-type gear selector for the shift-by-wire transmission.
Speaking of the transmission, the Octavia will the first Skoda to come with shift-by-wire. For the unfamiliar, the gear selector isn’t mechanically connected to the gearbox but rather relays the driver’s commands electronically.
As you would expect, the Octavia will be offered with an array of TSI engine options with mild-hybrid tech. A 48-V belt-driven starter motor and a lithium-ion battery will be fitted to the three-pot 81kW 1.0-litre TSI and 110kW 1.5-litre TSI four-cylinder, but only if paired to a DSG transmission. Opting for a 6-speed manual will mean ditching the mild-hybrid tech altogether. Meanwhile, a 2.0-litre TSI with 140 kW is exclusively available with all-wheel drive and the same 7-speed DSG. All TSI equipped cars will be fitted with a particulate filter.
Skoda says that the aforementioned 7-speed DSG that’s mated to the TSI variants is a newly developed unit for engines that deliver high torque outputs which is why all TDI-powered Octavias will also use this new gearbox. The brand also says that they will be launching the Octavia with three diesel options from the new Evo family of engines ranging from 85 to 147kW which is said to emit 80 percent less nitrogen oxide thanks to specialised catalytic converters.
As mentioned, the all-new Octavia will will also be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that uses a 1.4-litre TSI four-pot engine paired up to an electric motor and battery pack for a combined output of either 150 or 180kW.
Finally, the fourth-generation Octavia will come with driver-assistance features such as Collision Avoidance Assist, Exit Warning and Hands-on Detect. Collision Avoidance increases steering input in the event of an impending collision with a controlled evasive manoeuvre. The Exit Warning system alerts the driver if another vehicle or a cyclist is approaching from behind when opening the door. Finally, Hands-on Detect is able to check whether or not the driver is touching the steering wheel consistently or whether they no longer have control of the vehicle due to a potential medical emergency, in which case will bring the car to a stop.
We will be bringing you more updates on the 2020 Octavia as and when details are made available. Stay tuned to this space.
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