Skoda is preparing to launch the fourth generation of the Octavia, which has grown in size and is longer and wider than its predecessor. Nearly two thirds of all Octavia buyers opt for the estate body style and today, the Octavia is the bestselling estate in Europe and the most popular import car in Germany. Skoda will therefore launch the estate variant of the Octavia first; with the launch of the following a few weeks later.

Skoda Auto CEO, Bernhard Maier, said, “For Skoda, the Octavia is of immense importance. That’s why we’ve totally renewed this car. The outcome is the best Octavia of all time: it is even more spacious, more practical and safer than ever. Just in time for its 60^th anniversary, we are taking a big step into the future with the new generation. Over the last six decades, the Octavia has contributed to the positive development of the company and the brand. I am very confident that the new generation will play its part in maintaining this positive development.”

In January 2019, the Octavia celebrated 60 years since the start of its production. The first cars of this model range rolled off the production line at the plant in Mladá Boleslav at the beginning of 1959. The Czech car manufacturer has built more than 6.5 million Octavias since. Over the past few years, the third generation of the large compact car has sold about 400,000 units a year worldwide, accounting for almost one third of Skoda’s total sales.

Currently, the Octavia is the overall bestselling model in the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Serbia and Belarus.

Emotive exterior design, greater dimensions
The new front apron and headlights provide visual highlights for the Skoda Octavia. At 4,689 mm, the fourth-generation Octavia estate is 22 mm longer than its predecessor; its width has grown by 15 mm to 1,829 mm (the length of the hatch has increased by 19 mm to 4,689 mm and by 15 mm in width, taking it to 1,829 mm). The wheelbase measures 2,686 mm. The redesigned, shallow roof rails emphasise the vehicle’s elongated silhouette, whilst alloy wheels measuring up to 19 inches lend a powerful appearance.

New Octavia ranks among the most aerodynamic cars on sale
The new design sharpens the Octavia’s visual presence and enables excellent aerodynamics. The hatch has a drag coefficient (c_d) from 0.24 and the estate from 0.26. The new Octavia thereby ranks among the most aerodynamic cars on sale today. The improved aerodynamics also reduce the fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

First Octavia with full LED Matrix headlights
The narrower front headlights and the tail lights use modern LED technology. In the top-of-the-range version, the Octavia is equipped with full LED Matrix headlights. This system generates a light beam consisting of several segments which are controlled individually. The high beam can be on at all times, without dazzling other road users. Using the camera on the windscreen, the intelligent technology detects vehicles that are approaching or up ahead as well as people and objects reflecting the light. The lights also greet the driver with an animated Coming/Leaving Home function. The full LED tail lights are incorporated into this animation too, and boast – which is a first for the Octavia – dynamic indicators.

New interior concept
The rear passengers more kneeroom than before – now 78 mm. The boot capacity, claimed to be the largest in the segment, has increased to 640 l in the estate variant and 600 l in the hatch. The Skoda designers have completely revamped the Octavia’s interior. The new steering wheel now features just two spokes and has a chrome trim; in the multifunction variant, 14 different functions can be performed via push and new scroll buttons in a chrome finish.

The centre console, door trims and dashboard have been redesigned too. Featuring a modular, multi-level arrangement, the dashboard echoes the shape of the Skoda grille with a contrasting, coloured area below the large, free-standing central multifunction display. Ergonomic, heated seats now boast the options of a massage function and/or cooling ventilation. The optional sports seats are covered in a ThermoFlux fabric. Another optional feature in the new Octavia is the tri-zone Climatronic air conditioning. When equipped with the KESSY keyless entry system, any one of the Octavia’s four doors can be opened first.

SCOUT and vRS variants will be added to the range later in 2020.

New: head-up display and two 10-inch screens
The Octavia is the first Skoda model to feature a head-up display. This projects important information such as the speed or navigational information directly onto the windscreen in immediate view of the driver, allowing them to read it without taking their eyes off the road. The new Octavia’s infotainment systems offer optional streaming services for radio and TV as well as completely cable-free smartphone connection using wireless SmartLink+ technology. Media devices or USB sticks can also be directly linked to the infotainment system via the two USB-C ports in the front out of the up to five USB-C ports; a 230-V socket in the rear is optional too. The acoustically optimised interior and the new optional Canton Sound System ensure perfect sound.

Skoda has further improved the Virtual Cockpit for the new Octavia. The latest generation of the digital and individually customisable instrument panel comes with a 10-inch screen and is now more user-friendly. The driver can choose from four different layouts – Basic, Classic, Navigation and Driver Assistance Systems – and specify their desired content using the controls on the multifunction steering wheel. Users can now also opt to display the navigation system’s maps on the Virtual Cockpit and the central display measuring up to 10 inches in two different levels of zoom. Climatronic can be operated via an integrated bar at the bottom of the infotainment display. Via a new touch slider at the bottom of the infotainment system’s display, the volume can be adjusted using one finger and the navigation map can be zoomed in and out using two fingers.

DSG with shift-by-wire technology
The new Octavia is the first ever Skoda to use shift-by-wire technology to operate its DSG transmission. The gear selector is no longer connected to the gearbox mechanically. Instead, it relays which gear has been chosen electronically. In place of the familiar DSG lever, there is therefore a new control module located in the Octavia’s centre console with a small rocker switch for selecting the drive modes – R (reverse), N (neutral) and D/S (drive/sport) – as well as a button for the parking mode, P.

Premiere for innovative assistance systems such as Collision Avoidance Assist and Exit Warning
The fourth generation of Octavia sees the introduction of several new assistance systems, some of which are making their debut in a model made by the Czech manufacturer. The new Collision Avoidance Assist supports the driver by actively increasing the steering moment in the event of an impending collision with a pedestrian, cyclist or another vehicle – ideally preventing the accident with a controlled evasive manoeuvre. The Exit Warning system lets the driver know if another vehicle or a cyclist is approaching from behind when opening the car door. Using Hands-on Detect, the car is able to check whether the driver is touching the steering wheel consistently or whether they no longer have control of the vehicle due to a potential medical emergency. If such an emergency occurs, Emergency Assist can bring the car to a stop.

Christian Strube, Skoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development, emphasised, “The safety of our cars and their passengers, as well as other road users, is top priority at ŠKODA. With the new safety and assistance systems of the fourth Octavia generation, such as Collision Avoidance Assist and the Exit Warning system, we have raised the Octavia to a new level and made it one of the safest cars within its segment.”

Premiere for mild-hybrid technology
The new Octavia features modern TDI and TSI engines with increased efficiency that, thanks to improved aerodynamics, lower fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. In addition to the diesel and petrol engines, plug-in hybrid variants and, for the first time at Skoda, engines featuring mild-hybrid technology will be offered. When fitted with the 7-speed DSG, the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI producing 81 kW (108 bhp) and the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI outputting 110 kW (148 bhp) make use of a 48-V belt-driven starter motor and a 48-V lithium-ion battery. This makes it possible to ‘coast’ with the combustion engine completely switched off, recover energy whilst braking and support the engine with an electronic boost. At the same time, the engine is able to start more quietly and with fewer vibrations. Both engines are also available in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox without mild-hybrid technology. The gearbox that comes with the 1.5 TSI is newly developed for engines that deliver high levels of torque and is being used in conjunction with the Octavia’s diesel engines too. The 2.0 TSI with a power output of 140 kW (187 bhp) is exclusively available with all-wheel drive and a 7-speed DSG. All of the TSIs are fitted with a petrol particulate filter.

Plug-in hybrid with two different power variants
Following on from the first Skoda plug-in hybrid, the Skoda Superb iV, the Czech brand is also offering the new Octavia with a 1.4 TSI petrol engine – the Octavia iV features an electric motor too – and comes with two different power variants. As well as the model with a power output of 150 kW (201 bhp), another version outputting 180 kW (242 bhp) is planned to be added to the portfolio. Both variants will come with a 6-speed DSG.

Diesels from the new EVO generation of engines emit up to 80 per cent less nitrogen oxide
For the Octavia, a total of three new diesel engines provide power outputs ranging from 85 KW (113 bhp) to 147 kW (197 bhp). The TDIs each have a 2.0-litre cylinder capacity and are from the newly developed EVO generation of engines. In addition to a diesel particulate filter, the engines are equipped with a new development stage in SCR exhaust gas treatment. Using what is known as ‘twin dosing’, AdBlue is specifically injected in front of two SCR catalytic converters that are arranged one after the other. This method and the use of the second catalytic converter reduces nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions by around 80 per cent in comparison to the previous generation of each engine. As a result, the EVO engines provide the technical preconditions to fulfil the future Euro 6d emissions standard. The variants delivering 110 kW (148 bhp) and 147 kW (197 bhp) are available with all-wheel drive as an option.

Three chassis options and Dynamic Chassis Control
In addition to the standard setup, Skoda is offering two other options for the Octavia, a 15-mm-lower sports suspension and a Rough Road chassis providing 15 mm more ground clearance. Dynamic Chassis Control – which constantly adjusts the suspension and damping, provides a range of different profiles for Driving Mode Select – is available as an option. When fitted with DCC, the ground clearance remains unchanged in plug-in hybrids, all other variants are lowered by 10 mm.