Check this Czech out
By LOUIS CHEANGIT was really fun to see the faces of our friends and colleagues when we told them Skoda is a car marque that comes from the Czech Republic. Immediately, they thought of the former Eastern Block countries and what sprang to mind was a poor country and thus, poor quality goods. Yet, as they examined the Skoda Octavia closely, they were surprised to see that it is of a standard that rivals anything from Europe.
What they also didn’t know was that this Octavia model is the flagship of the range and is known as the Octavia Laurin & Klement (L&K) – meaning, it is the most luxurious.
They were even more astonished when we told them the reason behind its leading-edge technology and quality features: Skoda is part of the giant Volkswagen Group.
For the record, Porsche, Audi, Seat and Skoda are all part of the Volkswagen Group. For motorists and enthusiasts alike, this is a boon because it is a fact that that they all share technologies, which means better quality, at cheaper costs. Thus it is not surprising to find that individual models share a common chassis, engine, and suspension and brake systems.
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Luxury on wheels -- that's what motorists can expect from the sporty Skoda Octavia. |
Instead of the usual 16-valve (four valves per cylinder), it has the higher spec 20-valves (five valves per cylinder) DOHC engine that delivers a gruntful 150 bhp, peaking at 5,700rpm. For oomph, 240Nm of torque is delivered at 4,600rpm.
With an extra valve in the inlet tract, there is more opportunity to ram in extra air-fuel mixture for a more complete burn. This in turn results in a more powerful surge. The power has been fine-tuned to give a steady surge without any raw feel, more in tune with a sporty family hatchback and not like an out-and-out race car.
That’s why pushing the Octavia L&K was a real pleasure. The turbo engine is a gem, a smooth fire-breathing dragon! The power potential is really something. It was really heady to have so much torque, power and oomph generated in a smooth and extremely responsive manner. The moment we floored the accelerator there was an answering surge in power response.
Because of this, we naturally be- came addicted. Who wouldn’t? So, wherever possible, we found ourselves flooring the accelerator pedal. In no time at all, we found ourselves flying in excess of 160kph!
The suspension system was up to the mark, taking everything we threw at it - from fast driving, charging into corners, or accelerating hard from a traffic light.
Thanks to the tighter gearing, the steering was more precise and made the car more agile. We could negotiate tight corners with ease and only when close to the limits of adhesion did the rear of the car threaten to step out of line. A quick tap on the brakes and this was corrected.
However, the suspension is not as sophisticated as we thought, with MacPherson struts up front and a crank axle with trailing arms for the rear. Here, there are subtle inputs from Audi. With upgraded specifications to the spring and absorber settings, it could take all the punishment meted out, especially when tearing around in a sporty manner.
With the combination of a good powerful engine and good handling, the Octavia L&K simply begged to be driven in a sporty manner. All the same, it will amble along in town traffic without any fuss. And with new generation turbos, there was no need for a turbo-timer to idle the car for, say, a minimum of 10 seconds before switching off the ignition.
Ride comfort was equal to that of any European executive luxurious car. Somehow, the chassis engineers have managed to couple sporty handling with ride comfort. The car tackled speed bumps and other road undulations in a firm but not harsh manner.
Stopping power is provided by the ventilated discs for the front axle and solid discs for the rear. ABS (Anti-lock braking system) and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) ensure safe and even braking.
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A two-tone combination gives the dashboard a touch of class. |
We were told that the Octavia was included in the crash tests carried out by Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), which focused on large family cars. It received the coveted four-stars, which says a lot for its emphasis on safety.
The interior of the Octavia is luxurious, with designer beige leather for the seats, side sections and armrests, the knob and gaiter of the gear lever and handbrake lever. The smallish steering wheel - with its sporty 13-inch diameter - is wrapped in black leather. Likewise, the top of the dashboard as well as the instruments, although the lower half is in beige, for contrast. The central console has wood trim, all of which add ambience and an airy feel.
Though the front passenger seat has the usual mechanical adjustments, the driver’s seat has electric adjustments for three memory positions. This is a good move because different drivers can now easily find their best sitting/driving positions.
We expected to find a foldable central armrest in front and were not disappointed. We were pleasantly surprised to find a unique solution for the stowage of handphones: in the Octavia, you can store yours by pressing down on a central upwards sliding pocket next to the seatbelt anchorage point. Because it is slim, the handphone is securely held down.
It is easy to see why the Octavia is the mainstay of the Skoda lineup. Since its introduction, it has gained the respect of more than 850,000 owners. This certainly tells a lot.
Of course, its link with Volkswagen AG plays an important part. The synergy between members of the Volkswagen Group is obvious .Likewise, the shared technology and quality.
Tech Specs
Skoda Octavia Laurin & Klement Engine
Type: Four-cylinder,inline, turbocharger
Capacity: 1,781cc
Bore & Stroke: 81.0 mm X 86.4mm
Fuel system: Electronic multi-point fuel injection
Ignition System: Electronic, contactless, microprocesser-controlled
Maximum Power: 110kW (150bhp) @ 5,700rpm
Maximum Torque: 210Nm @ 4,600rpm
Chassis
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil spring, shock absorber
Rear suspension: Crank axle with trailing arms, coil springs, gas shock absorbers
Steering: Rack and pinion, power assisted
Brakes: Ventilated disc/solid disc
Wheels: 16-inch
Tyres: 205/55 R16
Dimensions
Overall length: 4,511mm
Overall width: 1,731mm
Overall height: 1,429mm
Wheelbase: 2,512mm
Fuel Tank: 55 litres
Price: RM130,488.40 without insurance (subject to new government duty)
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