The 2013 Skoda Octavia | Views of an Unofficial Expert

vb-saan · 13th September 2013, 11:22

Thanks SS-T and the other unofficial experts for the review, and some great pictures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

The multi-link rear is provided on the top end Diesel abroad but in India Skoda has decided to go with the torsion beam.

Are you sure about this? I thought even in Europe the 150ps 2.0TDI Elegance gets the torsion beam setup. Being a CKD, I would expect the car to be mechanically same as what is sold abroad.

puchoo · 13th September 2013, 11:36

Additional pictures great as well , i really like the look of the steering wheel. Maybe i will explore swapping the logo on my Fabia with this new one , think it might look really nice.

SedatedDrive · 13th September 2013, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

A couple of other features that appear to detract from being 'Simply Clever' - a key fob with flippy key (how about touch start for at least the top-end model, Skoda?)...

Attachment 1136033

Attachment 1136034

Thanks for a wonderful report.

The flip out key is omnipresent in cars that have keyless-start-stop feature. The key acts as a backup in case the battery in the key fob fails. There will be a slot for inserting the key tucked away somewhere. You can find this in the Indian Cruze in the storage compartment under the hand brake lever.

It is very unfortunate that the Indian Skoda does not retain Push-to-Start/Stop feature.

SS-Traveller · 13th September 2013, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by vb-san

Being a CKD...

All the vehicles were CBU units, not CKD.

vb-saan · 13th September 2013, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

All the vehicles were CBU units, not CKD.

Sorry, I mean the production cars which will be brought in as CKD.

v.anand · 13th September 2013, 20:26

A very nice report on the upcoming car. A brief comparison with the old Laura also would complete the package. I still feel Laura Diesel AT is better than the new one due to multi link suspension and 1.8 TSI price difference is going to be huge.

Ravveendrra · 14th September 2013, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by vb-san

Are you sure about this? I thought even in Europe the 150ps 2.0TDI Elegance gets the torsion beam setup. Being a CKD, I would expect the car to be mechanically same as what is sold abroad.

Actually I am not very sure about it, this was months ago when I was researching the car and was going through a whole slew of reviews. I do however recall that some sites had mentioned that the top-end Diesel too would get the multi-link. Now whether they meant the RS or the Elegance is the moot point. I took it to mean Elegance as RS was not on the horizon then. Briskoda however is the first place where the sub 150 and over 150 distinction was made. Even with CKDs a large number of things can be configured in for e.g. the rough road package.

Cheers,

SS-Traveller · 14th September 2013, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by v.anand

A brief comparison with the old Laura also would complete the package.

I am afraid I have very little experience of driving the Laura. Where applicable, I have tried to compare the 1.8 TSi with the 1st gen Octavia vRS. Others may pitch in and contribute their feedback.

prakhar1998 · 14th September 2013, 15:40

I am glad Skoda is bringing in new cars. I hope skoda doesn't price this gem of a vehicle disastrously. Anyway, I guess the prices will be in the 17-21 lakh price range, because they cannot price this any lower than the yeti or even the current gen Laura. But, at this price, the superb will get tough competition from the little brother who has grown soo much. Isn't the superb also ready for an update sometime early next year? I am eagerly waiting. My predictions are that Skoda will see a sharp increase in sales next year, hopefully the new Managing Director will bring about a change in the ASS.

Good luck Skoda, I hope you will give a tough competition to the Jap's and tell them that European Cars are superior.

karthikpra · 15th September 2013, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

I am afraid I have very little experience of driving the Laura. Where applicable, I have tried to compare the 1.8 TSi with the 1st gen Octavia vRS. Others may pitch in and contribute their feedback.

From all the discussion, i conclude that that the new octavia is a segment above the old octavia. Given a choice of the old octavia vRS and the new octavia 1.8 TSI which one would you pick for a weekend drive?

SS-Traveller · 15th September 2013, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by karthikpra

Given a choice of the old octavia vRS and the new octavia 1.8 TSI which one would you pick for a weekend drive?

On the track: the old Octavia vRS.
On the highway: the new Octavia 1.8 TSi.

Mohan Mathew A · 17th September 2013, 09:58

Has anyone any idea when the Teambhp official review will come up. The earlier unveiling thread has been closed a week back making me believe the official review will soon come up, but i see no sight of it.

Can mods or anyone in the know pls update

ajmat · 17th September 2013, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mohan Mathew A

Has anyone any idea when the Teambhp official review will come up. The earlier unveiling thread has been closed a week back making me believe the official review will soon come up, but i see no sight of it.

Can mods or anyone in the know pls update

The official review is under preparation, TBHP drove the car earlier this month

Mohan Mathew A · 17th September 2013, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

The official review is under preparation, TBHP drove the car earlier this month

Thanks ajmat for the update. When do you expect it to be made available so that i don't need to check every hour

adi_petrolhead · 17th September 2013, 16:36

Not sure if I can post this here or not, I booked the Octavia TSI 1.8 yesterday. I asked them today to send me the brochure in pdf format, but instead i was sent the entire collection of Team-Bhp 's first unveiling report

now how proud does one feel eh? T-Bhp, respect! Dealer in discussion is Torque Automotive Ahmedabad.

13th September 2013, 11:36	#77
puchoo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Delhi / Shimla Posts: 1,451 Thanked: 776 Times	Re: The 2013 Skoda Octavia \| Views of an Unofficial Expert Additional pictures great as well , i really like the look of the steering wheel. Maybe i will explore swapping the logo on my Fabia with this new one , think it might look really nice.
	() Thanks

13th September 2013, 20:26	#81
v.anand BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 345 Thanked: 104 Times	Re: The 2013 Skoda Octavia \| Views of an Unofficial Expert A very nice report on the upcoming car. A brief comparison with the old Laura also would complete the package. I still feel Laura Diesel AT is better than the new one due to multi link suspension and 1.8 TSI price difference is going to be huge.
	() Thanks

14th September 2013, 15:40	#84
prakhar1998 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Noida Posts: 306 Thanked: 718 Times	Re: The 2013 Skoda Octavia \| Views of an Unofficial Expert I am glad Skoda is bringing in new cars. I hope skoda doesn't price this gem of a vehicle disastrously. Anyway, I guess the prices will be in the 17-21 lakh price range, because they cannot price this any lower than the yeti or even the current gen Laura. But, at this price, the superb will get tough competition from the little brother who has grown soo much. Isn't the superb also ready for an update sometime early next year? I am eagerly waiting. My predictions are that Skoda will see a sharp increase in sales next year, hopefully the new Managing Director will bring about a change in the ASS. Good luck Skoda, I hope you will give a tough competition to the Jap's and tell them that European Cars are superior.
	(1) Thanks

17th September 2013, 09:58	#87
Mohan Mathew A BHPian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kochi Posts: 565 Thanked: 592 Times	Re: The 2013 Skoda Octavia \| Views of an Unofficial Expert Has anyone any idea when the Teambhp official review will come up. The earlier unveiling thread has been closed a week back making me believe the official review will soon come up, but i see no sight of it. Can mods or anyone in the know pls update
	() Thanks

17th September 2013, 16:36	#90
adi_petrolhead Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 1,502 Thanked: 2,659 Times	Re: The 2013 Skoda Octavia \| Views of an Unofficial Expert Not sure if I can post this here or not, I booked the Octavia TSI 1.8 yesterday. I asked them today to send me the brochure in pdf format, but instead i was sent the entire collection of Team-Bhp 's first unveiling report now how proud does one feel eh? T-Bhp, respect! Dealer in discussion is Torque Automotive Ahmedabad.
	(9) Thanks