The New Skoda Octavia Plug-In Hybrid

Skoda are offering the new Octavia plug-in hybrid (PHEV) for the very first time, including mild hybrid, diesel and petrol versions.

The new Skoda Octavia goes on sale in the middle of next year, with a starting price of around £19,000, rising to around £30,000.

After the latest Skoda Superb, the new Octavia offers fleet a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option. It features a 1.4 TSI petrol engine delivering 115kW (156PS) and a 75-kW electric motor. Combined they produce a total output of 150kW (204PS) and have a maximum torque of 350 Nm. It uses a 37Ah, 13kWh lithium-ion battery, promising an electric range of up to 55km in the WLTP cycle.

For the first time in the Skoda line-up, the Octavia is available in two ‘eTEC’ variants with mild hybrid technology.

Using a seven-speed DSG (the PHEV model uses a six-speed DSG), the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI produces 81kW (110PS) and the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI produces 110kW (150PS). Both use of a 48-volt belt-driven starter motor and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery. This allows eTec models to take advantage of energy recovery through regenerative braking and to ‘coast’ with the engine completely switched off.

Stop/start technology, reduces fuel consumption “and CO2 emissions even further” says Skoda – but they have not published any CO2 emissions figures for the new Octavia.

Efficient diesel

The manufacturer says its latest generation EVO diesel engines emit up to 80% less nitrogen oxide than its predecessor. The process which allows this to happen by a new ‘twin dosing’ exhaust gas treatment. AdBlue is injected in front of the two catalytic converters that are arranged one after the other.

The 2.0 TDI models are available with a six-speed manual, or seven-speed DSG gearbox, with outputs of 116PS (85kW), 110PS (150kW) and 147PS (200kW); the latter being for the 4x4 version.

Petrol variants are offered as a 1.0 TSI EVO with a six-speed manual gearbox and 110PS (81kW) power output, a 1.5 TSI EVO with the same gearbox and 150PS (110kW) on tap; and a 2.0 TSI, which comes with a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 190PS (140kW).​

​Safety

The new model features a generous range of safety features: using a combination of passive and active components.

Additional safety systems include Collision Avoidance Assist, Turn Assist, Exit Warning and the local Traffic Warning function are also making their debut at Škoda. Other new features for the OCTAVIA include Area View, Side Assist and Predictive Cruise Control, which – together with the updated version of Traffic Sign Recognition and the further improved Lane Assist, as well as Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist – forms the Travel Assist system. Using Hands-on Detect, this system also checks whether the driver is touching the steering wheel consistently. Up to nine airbags, including a driver knee airbag and rear side airbags, protect occupants in the event of a collision.

Head-up display

Another debut for Skoda is an optional head-up display. It projects information such as speed, navigation, detected traffic signs and activated driver assistance systems directly onto the – optionally heated–windscreen. The 4.2-inch, multifunction Maxi DOT 16-colour display comes as standard, while Tri-zone Climatronic makes its debut in the Octavia.

Keyless vehicle entry system (KESSY) is another option, as are noise-reducing acoustic side windows at the front. One key feature which may of most interest to fleet drivers who do considerably high mileage is the ‘particularly back friendly’ Ergo seats. These offer an electric massage function and optional ventilation.

Infotainment system

Additionally, the new Octavia offers a choice of four infotainment systems from the latest generation with screens measuring from 8.25 to 10 inches. A selection of them can be operated using gesture control or by voice via the Laura Skoda Digital Assistant.

The top-of-the-range Columbus infotainment system can display the navigation system’s maps in a different level of zoom than the 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit (which, by the way, has also been further improved, making it even more user-friendly). This new function can be adjusted via a touch slider located below the display, which can also be used to control the volume.

New DSG offer

The tried and tested DSG gearbox is fitted in the Octavia and breaks new ground for Skoda, as it is the first to use shift-by-wire technology. As suggested, this electronically transmits the driver’s gear selection to the transmission.

Replacing the familiar DSG level, there is a new control module located in the centre console with a small rocker switch which is used for selecting driving modes, as well as the parking mode.​