First drive: Skoda pumps up entry-level Octavia

REDUCING the entry price to its medium-size Octavia range by $2000 to $24,990 while increasing its engine performance and reducing fuel consumption are the main elements to a tweaked Octavia range for the 2011 model year.

The Octavia 90TSI is the new entry point to the Skoda range and the replacement for the 1.6 MPI, available in hatch and wagon, and with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG gearbox with the added bonus of the 75kW 1.6-litre engine.

The 1.4 litre TSI is a turbocharged four-cylinder that develops power peak of 90kW at 5000-5500rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1500-4000rpm.

Fuel consumption is quoted as 6.7 litres per 100km combined for the manual and 6.5L/100km for the DSG. CO2 emissions are 158g/km for the manual and 152g/km for the DSG. The 90 TSI is rated at Euro 5 emissions level, all on 95 RON petrol.

Acceleration from rest to 100km/h is claimed to take 9.7sec for both manual and DSG.

The manual weighs 1390kg and the DSG 1410kg.



Standard safety equipment on the Octavia 90TSI includes six airbags (dual front, front side and side curtain), ESC, ABS, EBD, and ASR.

The 90TSI is also equipped with semi-automatic air-conditioning, remote central door locks, front and rear power windows, 15in alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, eight-speaker AM/FM tuner with CD and MP3 player and aux input, cruise control, trip computer and height-adjustable front seats and adjustable lumbar support.

Other models have been updated further up the model range, with the 2011 Octavia Scout, 118TSI and 103TDI equipped with satellite navigation, which also includes a 30GB hard disc as well as voice control.

The Octavia Scout, opens with only available with a six-speed manual transmission, but will come with a six-speed DSG option from early 2011.

The 2011 Octavia RS is fitted with a new ESP system, which includes an additional function to the electronic lock differential, called XDL. When cornering, XDL applies brake pressure to the wheel on the inside corner to avoid wheel spin.

Two diesel models – the 77TDI and 103TDI – will feature improved fuel economy and reduced emissions from early 2011 with a running change of common-rail fuel injection in place of the existing pumpe duese system.

Power and torque figures remain unchanged for both 77TDI and 103TDI models.

The 77TDI manual combined fuel consumption will reduce from 5.3 to 4.9L/100km (DSG: from 6.3 to 5.1L/100km) and CO2 emissions from 140g/km to 129g/km (DSG: 167 to 133g/km).

The 103TDI manual fuel consumption will reduce from 5.7 to 5.1L/100km (DSG: from 6.4 to 5.5L/100km) and eCO2 emissions from 150g/km to 134g/km (DSG: 169 to 143g/km.)

Skoda Octavia 90TSI pricing:
Octavia Liftback 90TSI	$24,990
Octavia Liftback 90TSI (a)	$27,290
Octavia Wagon 90TSI	$26,990
Octavia Wagon 90TSI (a)	$29,290