Škoda Auto is updating the hatchback and estate versions of its iconic Octavia. With more than 7 million units sold, it is by far the brand’s best-selling model. Its fourth modern generation has now been given a freshened look that includes a revised Škoda grille and new second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights. Customers benefit from even more comprehensive standard equipment like a 10-inch Digital Display or dual-zone Climatronic. On top of that, the share of sustainable materials inside the car has increased. Further safety and assistance systems enhance active and passive safety and a new range structure provides additional individualisation options. The fourth generation of the modern Octavia enters its next production phase with a renewed sense of purpose. The refresh includes a new, upgraded design with revamped front and rear bumpers and an updated Škoda grille. Also new are the second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights, revised LED rear lights with animated indicators and a number of new alloy wheel designs. The new range structure comprises four trim levels – Essence, Selection, Sportline and RS – as well as nine Design Selections for the interior.
In addition to new and sustainable materials for the seats, dashboard and door panels, a 10 inch Digital Display now comes as standard on selected model variants. The familiar 10 inch Virtual Cockpit, introduced at the launch of the fourth-generation Octavia, remains on offer. A 13 inch infotainment display is available as an option for the first time on the Octavia. The AI-based ChatGPT chatbot will be integrated into the Laura voice assistant as standard. The integration of ChatGPT into the Laura voice assistant introduces a variety of new capabilities that go far beyond the previous voice commands. Intelligent Park Assist and Remote Park Assist also make their Octavia debuts. The engine line-up consists of two 1.5 TSI petrol engines, optionally available with mild-hybrid technology, two power-boosted 2.0 TSI petrol engines and two diesels. Outputs range from 85 kW (115 hp) to 195 kW (265 hp). Moreover, Škoda Auto has further extended its comprehensive portfolio of active and passive safety features: a new Attention and Drowsiness Assist now uses a wide range of data and parameters to assess driver behaviour. In addition, the updated Octavia comes with up to 10 airbags.
New aprons and a revised Škoda grille lend the updated Octavia a fresh look. The advanced, second-generation LED Matrix beam headlights with their new Crystallinium elements and 36 individual matrix segments deliver even better illumination of the road ahead than the first generation, while effectively shielding oncoming road users from headlight glare. The new, two-dimensional Škoda logo and the lettering on the tailgate of the new Octavia reflect the updated Škoda CI. The hatchback and estate versions are available in four trim levels – Essence, Selection, Sportline and RS. The Czech car manufacturer’s best-seller now features redesigned front and rear aprons that increase the overall length of the hatchback and the Combi estate by nine millimetres to 4,698 millimetres. The lower air intakes, Air Curtains and transitions to the front wheel arches on the front apron have been redesigned and lend the car a more dynamic look. Moreover, the designers have adjusted the sides of the Škoda grille to match the height of the new headlights.
Both 2.0 TSI engines inject fuel with a pressure of 350 bar and feature variable valve lift. Improved air intake and friction optimisation contribute to increased power output. The 150 kW (204 hp) variant with all-wheel drive as standard runs on the Budack cycle with an increased compression ratio of 12.2:1 and is 10 kW (14 hp) more powerful than its predecessor. The top petrol engine in the Octavia RS now produces 195 kW (265 hp) – 15 kW (20 hp) more than before. In both 2.0 TDI engines, a crankshaft drive with steel pistons efficiently reduces heat losses while at the same time increasing combustion speed. Injection pressure is 2,200 bar, while the turbocharger benefits from variable turbine geometry, which ensures optimum boost pressure over a wide rev range, resulting in a smoother power curve characteristic. The optimised exhaust gas treatment system reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions is positioned close to the engine and uses a twin-dosing process to inject AdBlue upstream of two SCR catalytic converters arranged in series.
The Škoda Octavia is available with a range of advanced four-cylinder engines – four petrol units and two diesels. Power outputs range from 85 kW (115 hp) in the two entry-level variants to 195 kW (265 hp) in the Octavia RS. The 2.0 TSI with 150 kW (204 hp) is due to be launched at a later date and will come with all-wheel drive as standard. The powertrain line-up of the updated Octavia starts with a 1.5 TSI petrol engine and a 2.0 TDI diesel, each with 85 kW (115 hp) of power and a manual 6-speed gearbox. Like the 1.5 TSI version with 110 kW (150 hp), the entry-level petrol engine is optionally available with mild-hybrid technology and DSG. Energy recovered during braking is stored in a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, using a water-cooled 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator. This supports the internal combustion engine with a surge of electric power or allows the Octavia to coast with the engine completely switched off. When less power is required, both 1.5 TSI engines can switch off two cylinders using ACT+ active cylinder deactivation to reduce fuel consumption. The turbocharger features variable turbine geometry and superior thermal efficiency.
The new Intelligent Park Assist (available only with automatic transmission) enables the Octavia to enter and exit parallel and perpendicular parking spaces automatically. In addition to controlling the steering, like the Park Assist in other Škoda models, it now also takes charge of the brakes, speed and direction of travel (forward and reverse). The car will also stop automatically if the system detects an obstacle. The upcoming Remote Park Assist (available only with automatic transmission) will go even further. It will allow the driver to control Intelligent Park Assist manoeuvres remotely from outside the vehicle via the MyŠkoda app. The vehicle and smartphone communicate via Bluetooth when the user is within four metres of the Octavia. All they have to do is select the type of manoeuvre in the app and the direction in which they want to exit the parking space. The maximum speed during the manoeuvre is 9.5 km/h. The Škoda Octavia is one of the safest vehicles in its class. In 2022, it successfully repeated its 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP reference test for crash safety, even under the now more stringent test conditions. Since summer 2022, up to ten airbags have protected the vehicle’s occupants in the event of an accident: the central airbag between the driver and front passenger and the knee airbag for the driver, along with the driver and front passenger airbags as well as front side airbags and head airbags, come as standard. Rear side airbags are available as an option.
Škoda Auto has further refined the Octavia’s high level of active and passive safety in the updated version. The new Attention and Drowsiness Assist uses an innovative algorithm to assess driver behaviour more precisely. The updated Octavia comes with up to ten airbags while further assistance systems take driver convenience to a new level. In the updated Octavia, Škoda has replaced Driver Alert with the Attention and Drowsiness Assist, as seen in the all-new Superb and all-new Kodiaq. The system monitors the driver’s behaviour and assesses their level of drowsiness. While Driver Alert mainly analysed data from the electromechanical power steering, the Attention and Drowsiness Assist accesses information from various vehicle control units, such as the Lane Assist. It uses an innovative algorithm to recognise short-term inattention (distraction) and long-term inattention (fatigue). It detects deviations from normal steering behaviour at speeds above 65 km/h and continuously evaluates the driver’s behaviour in order to draw conclusions about their fitness to drive. If the system concludes that the driver is fatigued, it triggers visual and audible warnings in the Virtual Cockpit at three levels: recommendation, warning and escalation. More advanced traffic sign recognition also provides enhanced driver support.
Customers looking for an Octavia with sporty flair have a choice beyond the top-of-the-range RS model. In the Sportline variants, Škoda Auto combines elements of the RS look with other powertrains in the series: the 1.5 TSI with 110 kW (150 hp), the 2.0 TSI with 150 kW (204 hp) and all-wheel drive as well as the two 2.0 TDI diesels with 85 kW (115 hp) and 110 kW (150 hp). The sports suspension, lowered by 15 millimetres, and progressive steering are also included as standard. The Škoda grille surround, window frames and wing mirrors are finished in Black Magic metallic on the Octavia Sportline, and the rear side windows and rear window are tinted (“Sunset”). The spoiler lips on the front apron and on the hatchback’s tailgate are also painted in Black Magic metallic, as is the roof spoiler on the Combi. The rear bumper features a Black Magic metallic diffuser. LED rear lights with animated turn indicators and animated Coming/Leaving Home function come as standard, while LED Matrix beam headlights are available as an option. The Octavia Sportline rolls on the new black 17-inch brushed Slagard aero wheels as standard. 18-inch Vega aero wheels and the 19-inch Draconis wheels exclusive to the Sportline are available as options. The front wings are adorned with redesigned Sportline badges. The new, two-dimensional Škoda logo on the bonnet and the Škoda lettering on the tailgate are black. The lettering projected onto the ground from the front doors conforms to the new Škoda CI. The scuff plates are finished in black.
