Skoda Octavia Combi (2001)

Safety

The Škoda Octavia was included in the latest tests carried out in 2001 by the independent association, Euro NCAP, which focused on large family cars. Škoda Octavia performed very well and was awarded four stars - the highest possible rating for a vehicle without curtain airbags, demonstrating how well the body construction design has been carried out. The level of occupant safety can be increased even further with the installation of additional airbags.

As demonstrated by independent evaluators, including the Euro NCAP independent association test, all Škoda Octavia and Škoda Octavia Combi cars have a very rigid and safe body design with many reinforcements and programmable crumple zones providing increased safety for occupants in a collision.

Both the Škoda Octavia and the Škoda Octavia Combi models are factory-fitted with a driver airbag (the Elegance also has a front passenger airbag) and optional side-impact airbags are available for all versions. Another important option is the possibility of deactivating the passenger airbags (front and side - if installed) so a child seat can be used on the front passenger seat. The bags are deactivated by turning a key in a box in the facia in front of the passenger. The deactivation is then signalled by an indicator integrated into the ceiling light above the front seats. The rear seats can be fitted with a third three-point seatbelt and a third adjustable head restraint.

If the airbags are deployed during a serious crash, an automatic sequence of defined operations will be activated via the CAN-Bus on-board network; the interior illumination will come on, the central door locking system will be unlocked (if locked), and some power circuits will be switched off to prevent short circuits and fire. The fuel pump and the fuel supply pipe will be immediately switched off.

All Škoda Octavia and Škoda Octavia Combi cars with left hand steering and equipped with the ABS system are fitted with a mechanical braking assistant (MBA). Based on the mechanical sensing of the force applied to the brake pedal this "assistant" produces the best possible start of the braking action and therefore takes full advantage of the vehicle's braking system. By using the braking assistant, the main and most important difference is in that the full level of braking action is reached earlier and this results in a shorter braking distance than usual.

All Škoda Octavia models are equipped with an immobiliser and a VIN code label on the windscreen frame, which significantly helps to identify the car. Options include an alarm system that monitors the interior of the car and a backup alarm horn.

Engines and transmissions

An extremely wide variety of petrol and diesel engines are available for Škoda Octavia and Škoda Octavia Combi models. Other power units are available for derivatives of Škoda Octavia models such as the 1.8 20V Turbo/132 kW unit for Škoda Octavia RS and Škoda Octavia Combi RS, or the 1.9 TDI/74 kW unit combined with six-speed transmission for Škoda Octavia Combi 4x4.

The range of petrol power units for the Octavia includes six engines with outputs varying from 55 kW (75 bhp) to110 kW (150 bhp). All available engines have electronic fuel injection and ignition, three-way catalytic converters and lambda probes or two catalytic converters and two lambda probes to comply with EU IV and EU III standards (except for the 1.6 MPI/55 kW and 1.6 MPI/74 kW engines). Depending on vehicle emissions regulations in various countries, the power units comply with EU IV, EU III or EU II. Petrol engines complying with EU IV and are fitted with the EOBD diagnostic system, which monitors engine components that influence exhaust gas composition. If the monitored values exceed the set limits, a warning light on the instrument panel will come on informing the driver that a service is needed and the fault will be stored in the diagnostic memory.

Overview of petrol engines for the Škoda Octavia:

• 1.4 MPI/55 kW (75 bhp);
• 1.6 MPI/55 kW (75 bhp) (hatchback only, EU II only);
• 1.6 MPI/74 kW (100 bhp) (EU II only);
• 1.6 MPI/75 kW (102 bhp);
• 2.0 MPI/85 kW (115 bhp);
• 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW (150 bhp).

The popularity of diesel engines continues to rise and now more than half of all Škoda Octavia cars are delivered with this type of engine. The range of diesel power units for the Octavia currently includes three engines with outputs varying from 66 (90 bhp) kW to 96 kW (130 bhp). In particular, the Pumpe Düse turbocharged direct-injection TDI engine (high-pressure injection pump-nozzle system for the 1.9 TDI/96 kW) with an inter-cooler, an oxidizing catalytic converter and exhaust gas re-circulation, continues to be an excellent combination of unbeaten power output, low fuel consumption and minimum emissions. All diesel engines comply with EU III, and all turbo-charged versions are now equipped with the EOBD diagnostic system. In some markets, the 1.9 TDI/66 kW and 1.9 TDI/81 kW engines in the EU II version are also available.

Overview of diesel engines for the Škoda Octavia:

• 1.9 TDI/66 kW (90 bhp);
• 1.9 TDI/81 kW (110 bhp);
• 1.9 TDI/96 kW (130 bhp).

All power units come with the standard five-speed fully synchronized manual transmission. The only exception is the 1.9 TDI/96 kW engine, which has a six-speed manual transmission. The 1.6 MPI/74 kW, 1.6 MPI/75 kW, 2.0 MPI/85 kW, 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW and 1.9 TDI/66 kW engines are also available with a four-speed automatic transmission with a hydrodynamic torque converter. The transmission electronics use the fuzzy logic function: the gear-change mode is adjusted not only to the character of the road, but also to the driver's driving style.

The Škoda Octavia Laurin & Klement and Škoda Octavia Combi Laurin & Klement models are available with the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW (150 bhp), 1.9 TDI/81 kW (110 bhp) and 1.9 TDI/96 kW (130 bhp) engines. Automatic transmission can be ordered for the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW engine. Both Laurin & Klement models - hatchback and estate - are also available with 4x4 drive. The 4x4 version is equipped with the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW (150 bhp) petrol engine.

Škoda Octavia RS has a 1.8 l turbo-charged petrol engine producing 132 kW (180 bhp) and a maximum torque of 235 Nm at 1950-5000 rpm, which provides outstanding driving characteristics: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 sec. (the estate version in 8.0 sec.) and a maximum speed of 235 km/h (the estate version 231 km/h).

The Škoda Octavia 4x4 hatchback is available with the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW engine (150 bhp, EU III). The Combi is driven by 2.0 MPI/85 kW (115 bhp, EU IV) or 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW (150 bhp, EU III) petrol engines. Two diesel engines - 1.9 TDI/66 kW (90 bhp, EU II) and 1.9 TDI/74 kW (100 bhp, EU III) are also available. The 1.9 TDI/74 kW engine has a high-pressure injection pump-nozzle system and is available with a six-speed transmission. All Škoda Octavia 4x4 vehicles have automatically activated drive for the rear axle using a Haldex inter-axle clutch with electro-hydraulic control.

Chassis

The design of the Škoda Octavia and the Škoda Octavia Combi's reliable chassis significantly contributes to the high active safety of the cars, their excellent driving characteristics, as well as their comfort and long life.

The front axle consists of MacPherson struts with coil springs in combination with lower triangular transverse links and torsion stabilizers. The axle is fitted on an auxiliary support that reduces the vibrations and noise transmitted to the interior of the car. The rear axle uses pilot-pin technology with torsion stabilizers. In-line coils and dampers do not intrude into the wide luggage compartment.

The chassis of the 4x4 version is adjusted according to the expected higher operating stress and operation on rougher roads. Compared to standard Škoda Octavia vehicles the clearance is 17 mm higher and the springs and shock-absorbers have also been adjusted. The front axle is the same as in all Škoda Octavia vehicles; however the rear axle has a multi-element suspension.

An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard on models with higher performance engines. For engines with lower power outputs, ABS is available as an option. ABS includes electronic braking force distribution (EBV) and also a mechanical braking assistant (MBA, only for vehicles with left-hand drive). Another component available as an option with ABS is electronic Engine Drag Control (EDC). Anti-Slip Regulation for the driving wheels is factory-fitted in cars with turbocharged 110 kW (with the EU IV version) and 132 kW (RS model) petrol engines and the 96 kW TDI diesel engine. With some other engines, it is available as an option. As a supplement to ABS, the Anti-Slip Regulation includes some EDL functions. The ultimate technical solution of chassis stability systems is the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). 4x4 versions have ABS and EDL as standard. Models with the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW engine are equipped with the ESP electronic stability system as standard.

The Škoda Octavia is equipped with the most advanced electronic systems. Via a CAN-Bus, electronic systems, such as injection, ignition, ABS, ASR, ESP and other electronic devices (accelerator, air-conditioning, cruise control, "intelligent" door locks, electric windows and sunroof) are interconnected (except with the power unit 1.6 MPI/55 kW).

Colours and upholstery

Customers buying a Škoda Octavia or Škoda Octavia Combi can choose from twelve different colours.

Non-metallic colours:

• Candy White;
• Corrida Red;
• Dynamic Blue.

Metallic colours:

• Diamond Silver;
• Cayenne Red;
• Admiral Blue;
• Deep Sea Blue;
• Agave Green;
• Nature Green;
• Stone Grey;
• Graphite Grey;
• Black Magic with pearl effect.

The interior design depends on the specification and includes a variety of colour and material combinations, which will satisfy the needs of even the most demanding customers.