Škoda’s New Octavia here for Mid-2020

Published on 27th November 2019 at 10:54

The new Škoda Octavia, now in its fourth generation, will be available in Ireland from July 2020, with prices and specifications available closer to the time.

 

The Octavia is Škoda’s most popular car, with more than 6.5 million units produced, and is the bestselling Škoda ever, both in its Czech home country as well as in numerous other markets around the world. Now for 2020 it is longer and wider than its predecessor, with an even larger boot, a new interior, with high-quality materials and clever details, promising great functionality. Innovative connectivity and new assistance systems raise comfort and safety to a higher level than previous.

Bigger and even more attractive
The new Octavia has grown to a length of 4,689mm, the hatchback is 19mm and the Combi 22mm longer than the third-generation model. Its width has increased by 15mm. The Combi’s boot capacity has increased by 30litres to 640litres. The hatchback has a capacity of 600litres, 10litres more than the previous generation.

 

The new front apron and the narrower, new headlights feature LED technology for low beam, high beam and daytime running lights as standard. The tail lights, brake lights and fog lights make use of LED technology as well. The newly designed, shallow roof rails emphasise the elongated silhouette of the Octavia Combi, while the hatchback looks almost like a coupé.

 

New interior and multi-level dashboard

The newly designed interior offers a new two-spoke steering wheel, which can be heated as an option and if ordered as a multifunction variant, comes with new control buttons and knurled scroll wheels, allowing drivers to operate a total of 14 different functions without removing their hands.

 

The redesigned dashboard is modular and has been arranged in different levels, featuring a large, free-standing central display. The centre console is uncluttered and adorned with chrome details, as are the new door trims and handles. New soft-touch material and new LED ambient lighting allow for the creation of a personalised interior, where the front doors and dashboard can be indirectly illuminated in a choice of ten different colours, even in a variety of colours if desired. Coordinated lighting scenarios can also be selected.

Head-up display

Ergo seats are an optional, which on top of their comfort and safety also offer an electric massage function, the top version can also be ventilated. Another option is a head-up display, which projects information on speed, navigation, detected traffic signs and activated driver assistance systems directly onto the windscreen, which itself can be optionally heated.

 

 

 

New Display

A 4.2-inch, multifunction Maxi DOT 16-colour display comes as standard as is tri-zone Climatronic. Owners can use the optional keyless vehicle entry system (KESSY), so that any one of the car’s four doors can be opened first. The standard equipment also includes electric side windows and an electromechanical parking brake, with acoustic side windows at the front also now available on the 2020 Octavia. 


DSG with shift-by-wire technology

The new Octavia uses shift-by-wire technology for operating the double-clutch DSG, which electronically transmits the driver’s gear selection to the transmission. In place of the familiar DSG lever, there is therefore a new control module located in the centre console with a small rocker switch for selecting the drive modes as well as a button for the parking mode.

 

Optional full LED Matrix headlights

Full LED matrix headlights are available as an option, allowing the driver to leave the high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users. Full LED tail lights featuring crystalline elements and dynamic indicators are another option.

 

New safety systems such as Collision Avoidance Assist, Turn Assist, Exit Warning and the local Traffic Warning function are also on the Octavia menu. Other features for the Octavia include,

 

  • Area View
  • Side Assist
  • 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 comprehensive Travel Assist system.
  • Hands-on Detect - this system checks whether the driver is touching the steering wheel consistently.
  • Up to nine airbags, including a driver knee airbag and rear side airbags

 

Powertrains and engines

The 2020 Octavia line-up includes a plug-in hybrid, the Octavia iV. Some of the petrol engines are now equipped with mild hybrid technology, while the diesel engines come from the latest EVO generation and emit up to 80 per cent less nitrogen oxide.

 

The wide range of powertrains deliver anything from 110PS to 204PS.

 

The Octavia G-TEC, with 17.7 kg of natural gas (CNG) in its tanks, can cover up to 523km in its eco-friendly and efficient CNG mode.

 

In the Octavia iV, a 1.4 TSI petrol engine and an electric motor deliver a combined power output of 204PS. With a capacity of 37Ah providing 13kWh of energy, the high-voltage lithium-ion battery allows for an all-electric range of up to 55km in the WLTP cycle.

The eTEC variants fitted with latest EVO-generation 1.0TSI or 1.5TSI petrol engines feature mild hybrid technology when equipped with DSG. Using a 48-volt belt-driven starter motor and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, it is possible to recover brake energy, support the combustion engine by providing it with an electric boost, and to coast with the engine completely switched off.

 

Dynamic Chassis Control, which is optional, now comes with slider controls within the different driving modes, allows the driver to change individual parameters such as the suspension, damping and steering characteristics or the operation of the DSG to suit their preferences.

Infotainment

A choice of four infotainment systems from the latest generation with screens measuring from 8.25 to 10 inches. Some of them can be operated using gesture control or by voice via the Laura Škoda 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. This new function can be adjusted via a touch slider located below the display, which can also be used to control the volume.

 

Škoda Connect

Coming with a built-in eSIM, the OCTAVIA is always online, making access to the latest Škoda Connect mobile online services always possible. These include eCall, which is mandatory in the EU, comprehensive remote vehicle access and infotainment apps backed by online data.

 

The car features up to five USB-C ports for charging or connecting media devices and USB sticks, one of which can optionally be housed in the overhead console above the rear-view mirror. Older devices with a USB-A 3.0 port can easily be connected using the USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter from the Škoda Genuine Accessories range. Smartphones can also be charged inductively, using the optional Phone Box. Those who love their sounds can go for the option of the Canton sound system.

Simply Clever features

For diesel cars, the range of the brand-typical Simply Clever features now also includes a convenient filler tube for AdBlue®, enabling it to be filled up using a lorry pump nozzle too.

 

In the rear there are two smartphone storage pockets on the front seatbacks. The Sleep package for the back seat is now also an optional extra for the Octavia. In addition, new retractable sun blinds for the rear side windows make it possible to block out the light.

 

There is a multifunction storage pocket below the boot cover in both the hatchback and the Octavia Combi; the latter will also feature an automatically retractable load cover. The storage compartment with an umbrella and hand brush in the front doors is new. The funnel integrated into the lid of the windscreen washer tank is yet another new feature in the 2020 Octavia.