Skoda Automobile has churned out two new models – Octavia and Rapid. The auto maker unveiled the cars at Stallion Motors, Lagos last week. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.
The new generation Octavia is in a class of its own – practical, conservative and demanding. While the Octavia is re-emerging as a third generation A7 family sedan, with a new design DNA, the Rapid is making a debut as Skoda’s first model incorporating new design language with an embodiment of crisp lines.
The Rapid is the first product that materialises from new strategy. Tagged Baby Octavia, it is a timeless elegance, pure in shape and natural. Its electronically radio could be taken out and placed elsewhere.
This means that the signature feature common to Skoda cars, such as the grille, has been fundamentally transformed to make the grille, for instance, an integral part of the model nose; so it is not lifted along with the bonnet.
For the Octavia, it’s into new generation – a third one. The first generation was between 1996 and 2004, while the second ended this year.
Though there have not been much noise about the earlier two generations, emphases are laid on this third generation A7 Skoda because the new Octavia is the main pillar in the ŠKODA portfolio and a logical part of the automaker’s Growth Strategy 2018.
Skoda World Head, Sales and Marketing Sanjay Rupani, said the new generation Octavia stands out for its unique combination of most recent technologies and new design DNA with Skoda Auto’s harmonious lines of five-door body for those in search of dignified elegance.
He said there is also an emphasis on delivering the prefect experience in terms of quality, aesthetics and ergonomics
This, he said, would significantly strengthen the brand’s position in the A-segment in some parts of the world, including Nigeria.
A highly acclaimed brand in Western Europe, Skoda has also being a success in Eastern Europe and Asia and making frantic inroads against established competition in other markets.
According to Rupani, the Octavia is targeted at customers, who expect a spacious interior, timeless design and value for money.
“It is only logical that most owners of previous generation Octavia (A5) will soon start to think of buying a new car,” he said.
He is, however, convinced the new generation Skoda would inspire a positive change in the way the brand is perceived.
“The challenge is to express the rising power of a brand steeped in traditions dating back more than 117 years while remaining young and dynamic, but I’m optimistic the new look Octavia wouldn’t have any trouble retaining its tile as Skoda’s best-selling model,” he said.
Mounted on Volkswagen’s MQB platform similar to VW Golf and Audi A3, the new Octavia is to, henceforth, have independent suspension at all four corners (Macpherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear.)
Skoda offers the New Octavia in eight engines, only the 1.8 TSI model generating 132kw /180 bhp turbo petrol engine will, at the moment, be available in the local market.
Rupani noted that weight has been reduced due to the adoption of higher tensile strength metals in the car’s construction with some models shedding as much as 102kg of weight.
Riding on a 108mm longer wheelbase, the Octavia’s growth spurt was necessary to accommodate the Rapid sedan and the benefits of this growth include a massive 590-litre boot space.
By also pushing the front wheels forward, Skoda has managed to improve interior space significantly, claiming class-leading rear seat headroom of 980mm with ample knee and leg room for rear seat passengers as well as scads of headroom.
“It is no exaggeration that the new Octavia is, indeed, a roomy car,” he added.
The new Octavia has received a five-star NCAP safety rating with options of up to nine airbags – up from six, implying a stronger passenger cell plus collision avoidance and automatic braking systems.
Aside, the driving safety systems, such as anti-lock braking and electronic stability control are included with radar based cruise control, whose sensor can automatically brake the car as part of a pre-crash braking system.
There is also a new automatic headlight system that switches the high beams on and off when needed plus lane departure warning and correction systems that will steer the car back into its lane.
Suffice to say the new Octavia has benefited from Volkswagen’s technical and manufacturing know-how with an ergonomic cabin and a tangible sense of quality.
On the new Octavia after the test drive, Rupani said: “The new Octavia is an effortless car to drive, cruising quietly, yet more than happy to be propelled through consecutive corners at grin-inducing velocities.”
He added: “Being lighter pays off in terms of cornering ability and braking too and this makes the car sharper and more nimble than its predecessor (despite being longer and wider.)
“This new recipe would surely help Skoda to up the ante by half a million annually from four million Octavia cars sold since 1996.”
