Škoda introduces fourth gen Octavia as PHEV

Škoda has just presented the fourth generation of the Octavia, which is now also available as a plug-in hybrid for the first time. After the Superb iV, the Octavia iV is the brand’s second PHEV model. Škoda has not yet released prices or the date for its market launch.

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The part-time electric vehicle combines a 1.4 TSI petrol engine with 115 kW and a 75 kW electric motor, the system output is 150 kW. The battery has an energy content of 13 kWh and enables an electrical range of up to 55 kilometres in the WLTP cycle. However, Škoda has not yet provided any data on combined consumption and CO2 emissions.

There are no official data on the charging time either – but this is not yet available at Volkswagen, where the recently introduced Golf 8 eHybrid uses the same PHEV drive. As with the Golf, the Octavia is also available with several mild hybrid drives.

The PHEV version of the new Octavia is equipped with a 6-speed DSG and will be available in all equipment versions and models except Active and Scout. However, the PHEV’s boot volume is somewhat smaller than that of its combustion engine counterparts. Škoda states the values here as 450 litres for the saloon and 490 litres for the station wagon – which is 600 and 640 litres respectively for the pure combustion engine versions. The petrol tank is also around five litres smaller at 40 litres.

Visually, the fourth generation differs only slightly from its predecessor, even though Škoda boss Bernhard Maier says the car was completely redeveloped on the basis of the MQB platform. The eye-catching four-eye-face has disappeared, only the LED daytime running light picks up on the earlier visuals. Otherwise, the Octavia fits into the current brand design of the Czech Volkswagen subsidiary.

The major change of this PHEV in contrast to the purely fossil-fuelled version is in the interior. Here the Octavia adopts the layout introduced in the Golf 8 with the large touchscreen offset upwards – keys and rotary knobs have almost completely disappeared. In the automatic versions, the gearshift lever is only a small rocker switch, and the speedometer instruments are also fully digital as an option. However, the cheaper entry-level versions will differ significantly from the high-end versions shown in the press photos.

Information on the prices and the date for the market launch is not yet available.

Update 29.11.2019: Just two weeks after the launch of the new Octavia, series production has already started at Škoda’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav. The vehicles will roll off the production line in production hall M13, where the first Octavia was built more than 20 years ago. The capacity is 1,150 vehicles per day. Škoda still remains silent on price or market launch data.

carscoops.com, skoda-storyboard.com, skoda-storyboard.com (Update)