Automotive

Skoda pulls the curtain back on 2013 Octavia

Skoda pulls the curtain back on 2013 Octavia
The newly unveiled 2013 Skoda Octavia
The newly unveiled 2013 Skoda Octavia
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Skoda has unveiled its latest Octavia
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Skoda has unveiled its latest Octavia
The drivers view of the Skoda Octavia
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The drivers view of the Skoda Octavia
The front quarter of the Skoda Octavia
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The front quarter of the Skoda Octavia
The newly unveiled 2013 Skoda Octavia
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The newly unveiled 2013 Skoda Octavia
The new Skoda Octavia on stage during its announcement
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The new Skoda Octavia on stage during its announcement
Dr. Vahland, CEO of Skoda presents the Octavia
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Dr. Vahland, CEO of Skoda presents the Octavia
The Skoda Octavia in red
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The Skoda Octavia in red
Jozef Kabaň, Chiefdesigner of Skoda, presents the new version of the Octavia
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Jozef Kabaň, Chiefdesigner of Skoda, presents the new version of the Octavia
The Skoda team with the new Octavia
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The Skoda team with the new Octavia
The newly unveiled 2013 Skoda Octavia
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The newly unveiled 2013 Skoda Octavia
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Skoda has just revealed its new 2013 Octavia compact sedan. The compact market is incredibly competitive, and the Skoda Octavia is looking to differentiate itself through what the company describes as "middle-class qualities at compact-car price." That being said, Skoda has yet to announce the final price of the compact.

The first thing Skoda focused on for the redesign is the size of the compact sedan. With this focus, the interior of the car has been expanded, giving passengers and the driver more room within the vehicle and creating more leg room for both the rear and front occupants. As a result, the car is 90 mm longer, 45 mm wider and the wheelbase is 108 mm longer than the second-generation Octavia. Despite this, the car is up to 102 kg (225 lb) lighter (depending on the vehicle configuration) than its predecessor.

The drivers view of the Skoda Octavia
The drivers view of the Skoda Octavia

Skoda's new model also adds some more premium features that are typically found on more expensive sedans. The new version adds features such as an infotainment system, intelligent cruise control and automatic parking assist. With the optional "Traveller Assistant" package, buyers also get traffic-sign recognition.

On the outside, the third iteration of the Octavia includes an Intelligent Light Assistant feature, which will automatically dip the high beams when oncoming traffic is detected. It also comes with a panoramic sunroof, and driving mode selection.

Skoda is offering a slew of engine options when the car arrives in the European market next year. In all, there are eight different turbocharged and diesel engines to choose from, each of which is designed to meet low emission standards. The engine options range from a 1.4-liter TSI petrol engine with 120 hp (88 kW) up to a 1.8-liter TSI petrol outputting 177 hp (132 kW).

The new Skoda Octavia on stage during its announcement
The new Skoda Octavia on stage during its announcement

The company will release the vehicle with manual and Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmissions. DSG transmissions feature an electronically controlled dual-clutch multiple-shaft manual gearbox without the traditional clutch that comes with most manual transmissions. These can function as either an automatic or semi-manual.

Down the line, ŠKODA intends to release an all wheel drive version of the compact sedan and a performance RS version that will be fitted with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the next VW Golf GTI.

Source: ŠKODA

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4 comments
4 comments
Laszlo Kiss
How come there is no mention that this car is a version of the VW Jetta with a new front grill?
bergamot69
As always with Octavias (and the larger Superb), lots of understated elegance, and usually, better reliability than it's more expensive Volkswagen sibling.
Trouble is, Skoda keeps moving up-market, surrendering the low-cost end of the market, as with Kia and Hyundai. The only genuinely low-end products on the market now (in the UK at least) are from Chevrolet and Dacia (Romanian company owned by Renault). I would have thought that if ever there was a company that could have cleaned up in the cheep'n'cheerful end of the market it would have been Skoda- but alas, they are now too mainstream, and are not in a position to benefit from these economically straightened times.
Iván Imhof
Ah, again those common cliches.. "Jetta with new grill" At least it looks way better than the boring Jetta. :)
RichC
Nice combination of BMW Lincoln front end coupled to design cues from an Audi rear. Not overly conservative. No grotesque 'vacuum cleaner' grille. Nice side lines. Interior is conservative but orderly looking. Maybe some good quality, real fabric seats with matching door inserts would take away from the cavernous shiny black plastic look. But, designers couldn't leave the steering wheel alone, however.
Rich