Škoda Auto is updating the hatchback and estate versions of its iconic Octavia. With more than 7 million units sold, it is by far the brand’s best-selling model. Its fourth modern generation has now been given a freshened look that includes a revised Škoda grille and new second‑generation LED Matrix beam headlights. Customers benefit from even more comprehensive standard equipment like a 10-inch Digital Display or dual-zone Climatronic. On top of that, the share of sustainable materials inside the car has increased. Further safety and assistance systems enhance active and passive safety and a new range structure provides additional individualisation options.
The updated Octavia offers nine Design Selections for the interior, which are marked by an increased use of sustainable materials. For the first time, the Octavia is available with a 13‑inch central infotainment display. USB-C ports offer three times more charging power, now providing 45 watts. The Kessy keyless entry system has undergone improvements for more convenient opening and locking. The AI-based ChatGPT chatbot will later be integrated into the Laura voice assistant as standard.
The updated Octavia comes with even more comprehensive standard equipment, including a free-standing central 10-inch infotainment display in combination with a 10-inch Digital Display. In a first for the model series, a 13-inch display is available as an option. The AI-based ChatGPT chatbot will be integrated into the Laura voice assistant as standard. This integration introduces a variety of new capabilities that go far beyond the previous voice commands.
A dual-zone Climatronic system is now standard on all models, and from the Selection trim level upwards the interior includes a 15 watt Phone Box. This offers inductive fast-charging of smartphones as well as a cooling function. USB-C ports now deliver an output of 45 watts and thus three times more charging power than before. For the first time in the Octavia, the upgraded Kessy keyless vehicle access system automatically unlocks or locks the vehicle as soon as the driver enters or leaves an area within 1.5 metres of the car while carrying the key.
The interior of the updated Škoda Octavia comes with new upholstery, trim and door panel designs. Škoda uses sustainable materials in some of the nine Design Selections, which are clustered around the four trim levels Essence, Selection, Sportline and RS. Examples include recycled fabrics in the Lodge and Sportline Design Selections and sustainably treated leather in the Suite Design Selection. The latter’s perforated leather is available in the colours Black and Cognac, marking a first for the Octavia. It is tanned using sustainable materials, including coffee husks, to replace traditional chemicals. The ergonomic front seats of this optional Design Selection also have an AGR (Healthy Back Campaign) seal of approval as well as a ventilation and massage function. In another first for the Octavia, Unique Dark Chrome trim elements are used in the interior and on the steering wheel which now features the new, two-dimensional Škoda logo.
The revised Octavia also introduces new Simply Clever features. An optional automatic retractable luggage compartment cover can be fitted to the Combi estate to make access to the cargo area easier. A dedicated storage box to hold rear passengers’ bags, cups and bottles is also making its debut. The multifunction pocket in the luggage compartment now has two variable hooks. The optional tablet holder on the back of the front seats is now also available for the sports seats. The ice scraper in the fuel filler flap and the optional umbrella in the front door are now made from sustainable materials. The hand brush in the dedicated front door compartment also remains part of the standard equipment.
The Škoda Octavia is available with a range of advanced four-cylinder engines – four petrol units and two diesels. Power outputs range from 85 kW (115 hp) in the two entry-level variants to 195 kW (265 hp) in the Octavia RS. The 2.0 TSI with 150 kW (204 hp) is due to be launched at a later date and will come with all-wheel drive as standard.
The powertrain line-up of the updated Octavia starts with a 1.5 TSI petrol engine and a 2.0 TDI diesel, each with 85 kW (115 hp) of power and a manual 6-speed gearbox. Like the 1.5 TSI version with 110 kW (150 hp), the entry-level petrol engine is optionally available with mild-hybrid technology and DSG. Energy recovered during braking is stored in a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, using a water-cooled 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator. This supports the internal combustion engine with a surge of electric power or allows the Octavia to coast with the engine completely switched off. When less power is required, both 1.5 TSI engines can switch off two cylinders using ACT+ active cylinder deactivation to reduce fuel consumption. The turbocharger features variable turbine geometry and superior thermal efficiency.
Both 2.0 TSI engines inject fuel with a pressure of 350 bar and feature variable valve lift. Improved air intake and friction optimisation contribute to increased power output. The 150 kW (204 hp) variant with all-wheel drive as standard runs on the Budack cycle with an increased compression ratio of 12.2:1 and is 10 kW (14 hp) more powerful than its predecessor. The top petrol engine in the Octavia RS now produces 195 kW (265 hp) – 15 kW (20 hp) more than before.
In both 2.0 TDI engines, a crankshaft drive with steel pistons efficiently reduces heat losses while at the same time increasing combustion speed. Injection pressure is 2,200 bar, while the turbocharger benefits from variable turbine geometry, which ensures optimum boost pressure over a wide rev range, resulting in a smoother power curve characteristic. The optimised exhaust gas treatment system reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions is positioned close to the engine and uses a twin-dosing process to inject AdBlue upstream of two SCR catalytic converters arranged in series.
– Škoda Auto has further refined the Octavia’s high level of active and passive safety in the updated version. The new Attention and Drowsiness Assist uses an innovative algorithm to assess driver behaviour more precisely. The updated Octavia comes with up to ten airbags while further assistance systems take driver convenience to a new level.
In the updated Octavia, Škoda has replaced Driver Alert with the Attention and Drowsiness Assist, as seen in the all‑new Superb and all‑new Kodiaq. The system monitors the driver’s behaviour and assesses their level of drowsiness. While Driver Alert mainly analysed data from the electromechanical power steering, the Attention and Drowsiness Assist accesses information from various vehicle control units, such as the Lane Assist. It uses an innovative algorithm to recognise short-term inattention (distraction) and long-term inattention (fatigue). It detects deviations from normal steering behaviour at speeds above 65 km/h and continuously evaluates the driver’s behaviour in order to draw conclusions about their fitness to drive. If the system concludes that the driver is fatigued, it triggers visual and audible warnings in the Virtual Cockpit at three levels: recommendation, warning and escalation. More advanced traffic sign recognition also provides enhanced driver support.
The new Intelligent Park Assist (available only with automatic transmission) enables the Octavia to enter and exit parallel and perpendicular parking spaces automatically. In addition to controlling the steering, like the Park Assist in other Škoda models, it now also takes charge of the brakes, speed and direction of travel (forward and reverse). The car will also stop automatically if the system detects an obstacle. The upcoming Remote Park Assist (available only with automatic transmission) will go even further. It will allow the driver to control Intelligent Park Assist manoeuvres remotely from outside the vehicle via the MyŠkoda app. The vehicle and smartphone communicate via Bluetooth when the user is within four metres of the Octavia. All they have to do is select the type of manoeuvre in the app and the direction in which they want to exit the parking space. The maximum speed during the manoeuvre is 9.5 km/h.
The Škoda Octavia is one of the safest vehicles in its class. In 2022, it successfully repeated its 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP reference test for crash safety, even under the now more stringent test conditions. Since summer 2022, up to ten airbags have protected the vehicle’s occupants in the event of an accident: the central airbag between the driver and front passenger and the knee airbag for the driver, along with the driver and front passenger airbags as well as front side airbags and head airbags, come as standard. Rear side airbags are available as an option.
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