Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Euro, Paris Motor Show
?koda Octavia Scout: Baby Allroad, Czech-style
Click to enlarge
One upcoming Paris debut that caught our eyes is the new Škoda Octavia Scout. Based on the Volkswagen Golf MkV, the Octavia Scout is a small wagon whose ride height is 16mm higher than that of the regular Octavia Combi 4x4.
Its unpainted bumpers, fender flares and side skirts, combined with skidplates fore and aft, scream "AUDI ALLROAD," and if you ask us, that's a good thing. The rear view is very reminiscent of the Porsche Cayenne, thanks to a rear glass angle and taillamps that look like they were lifted from the Porsche SUV, shrunken down, and applied here. The thing is, they look better on the Scout. Beefy 17" five-spoke wheels add to the car's attractive yet commanding presence.
Underhood, a 140-hp 2.0 TDI with particulate filter or a 150-horse 2.0 FSI provide motivation. Power goes to the ground via Škoda's version of VW's 4Motion system. In keeping with its off-road theme, there's even a passenger grab handle in the cabin. This is a nice package all around, and we have to wonder if a Jetta-ized version would look nearly as good as its Škoda cousin. We'd take this car -- as is -- in a heartbeat.
(Rear view, press release after the jump)
[Source: Skoda]
Click to enlarge
PRESS RELEASE:
THE NEW ŠKODA OCTAVIA SCOUT – PARTNER FOR LEISURE AND HOLIDAYS
Sometimes there is not a comfortable road on the way to the final destination, but the new Škoda Octavia Scout is prepared to continue – anytime, anywhere. Its ground clearance is 40 millimetres higher than that of the Octavia Combi and 16 mm greater than that of the Octavia Combi 4x4, thus increasing the its off-road ability considerably, enabling it to master poor and rutted tracks effortlessly.
The reliable four-wheel drive estate car, with its boot volume of up to 1620 litres, can cope with even the most demanding transport tasks and is ideally suited for hard daily use or as a partner for leisure and vacation. The Octavia Scout radiates a feeling of both power and dynamics. Robust and authentic, it is representative of the brand's competence in four-wheel drive and represents a further step in the still-young life cycle of the Octavia.
The Octavia Scout, at 4581 millimetres in length, is one centimetre longer, 1.5 centimetres wider and 1.3 centimetres higher than the Octavia 4x4. Newly designed bumpers at the front and rear, side mouldings and profiled door sills lend the Scout its design and are also an indication of its possible uses. Protective strips on the wheel housings, front door sills with "Scout" engraved on them and sumpguard protection front and rear equip the car for difficult tasks. The 17" "Proteus" alloy wheels cope with even the worst roads and provide reliability in the flight from the humdrum of the day. The Octavia Scout is also distinguished by its exclusive logo and polished steel dual exhaust pipes.
In the interior, the driver and passengers enjoy outstanding comfort. Under the comfortable front central armrest is the Jumbo box, a spacious storage compartment, something which normally is offered only in higher level models. Upholstery that is exclusive to the Octavia Scout, and a front passenger handgrip on the dashboard are further characteristics of the new model.
The Škoda Octavia Scout is supplied with the most powerful diesel and petrol engines - the 2.0 TDI PD diesel engine with 103 kW (140 HP) and the 2.0 FSI petrol engine with 110 kW (150 HP), both of which are four cylinder engines. The diesel is fitted with a diesel particle filter (DPF) as standard. Both engines are combined with a six-speed manual transmission.
To provide its off-road capability, the Octavia Scout is fitted with the well-proven four-wheel drive system from Škoda Auto. The core of the drive train is the Haldex multi-plate clutch installed in front of the rear axle.
The Octavia Scout will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September 2006. Its market introduction is planned for the first quarter of 2007.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BOB 6:19PM (9/02/2006)
If it will price out well for the US market, I can see it Czech-ing right out of showrooms here. (groan!!)
But, it would need a new front clip, and, preferably, the same interior as the US Rabbit or Jetta to fit in -- and who knows whether it needs major re-engineering for US regs.
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Tion 6:22PM (9/02/2006)
BRING IT BRING IT BRING IT!!! we want!
This is what the american market needs - SEAT, Skoda, Renault, Peugeto, Citroen, and DIESELS!!!!
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MadeinDetroit 6:50PM (9/02/2006)
Ehh-- Nothing terribly remarkable about it that warrants a BRING IT BRING IT BRING IT!!! we want! comment. I'll agree with the diesel statement, just not in this or any of those other brands that America "needs".
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Bill 7:41PM (9/02/2006)
I love it. I've admired modern Skodas for a few years now. I doubt there's a business case for them in the US. My heart has always been set on an Octavia Combi 4X4 with TDI and Tiptronic. I really wish we could get a fuel efficient AWD small diesel wagon here. Tried a Subaru Impreza, but they're gas hogs, outdated, and not very refined IMO.
Perhaps the new-improved, Opelized Saturn will bring something in this niche to the US market?
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Howard Kerr 9:59PM (9/02/2006)
Isn't VW working on bringing a similar mini-SUV for the U.S. as a Rabbit/Golf variant? This sort of looks (without that grille) like what a Volvo V50 XC would look like, if and when Volvo gets a smaller XC in the pipeline.
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JON 11:59PM (9/02/2006)
Front pic looks like Volvo.Rear looks like mercedes c-class wagon.It all comes together nice.Nothing to be ashamed of.
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RDL 12:18AM (9/03/2006)
"... I really wish we could get a fuel efficient AWD small diesel wagon here. Tried a Subaru Impreza, but they're gas hogs, outdated, and not very refined IMO...
Posted at 7:40PM on Sep 2nd 2006 by Bill"
They're working on it:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/08/03/subaru-announces-diesel-engine-for-2008/
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Mark 12:29AM (9/03/2006)
A Subaru diesel would be great -- I think they build terrific cars but wonder if they won't be left behind when it comes to hybrids and diesels. The autobloggreen story notes "its (sic) unclear weather (sic) it will show up in the U.S. market at all."
Anyway, this Skoda is a sharp little wagon, I would love to see some of its ilk in the US; unfortunately, it looks like we're about to be swamped with crossovers:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/02/business/02crossover.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1157257621-HfQllJvtKHIq0V+MbiIewg
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IHC 12:45AM (9/03/2006)
Isn't the Scout name still a trademark of International (Navistar)?
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Myspace Layouts 2:08AM (9/03/2006)
looks a little underpowered.
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Harry 2:35AM (9/03/2006)
Thinking that they (VW et al) should bring Skoda over as he price leader. Their products have been a good mix of size and content.
Of couse the GM losers that permeate VW would beg to differ. They give us the Toureg and the Phaeton. Remember westmoreland!
Losers.
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War 6:40AM (9/03/2006)
Octavia is to popular in UKR!
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Clarence 10:36AM (9/03/2006)
Every once in a while a car comes along, that seems to be totally harmonious with itself. This Skoda is one of them. I wouldn't change a thing. It’s a beautiful car but it will not be heralded in museums 50 years hence. It will be seen as a good example of the era.
Most cars that make the museums are the ones that have some non-harmonious quirks.
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Michael 10:58AM (9/03/2006)
Skoda is good, but prices are very high. In Czech republic costs Skoda Octavia like an american SUV.
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Big AL 12:30PM (9/03/2006)
I am very impressed.....very nice styling......would like to see the inside, though !!!!
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bingo 1:49PM (9/03/2006)
The interior will probably look like something between these two: http://www.auto.cz/base/2005-28/teskoc02_42d2445c6e8f5.jpg (standard better equipped Octavia) http://www.auto.cz/base/2005-36/teskocrs03_4324118acc6d0.jpg (Octavia RS - similar car as Golf GTI only with different looks)
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ErolB 2:45PM (9/03/2006)
Skodas were the butt of many jokes in the UK during the 80s and early 90s. VW have really turned them around. The Skoda marketing campaign featured people in dealerships being first impressed with the new car then running screaming through the doors when they found out it was a Skoda. The little Favorits are great.
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Greg A. 12:46AM (9/04/2006)
#5 "Isn't VW working on bringing a similar mini-SUV for the U.S. as a Rabbit/Golf variant?"
You're thinking of the Tiguan. Do a search of autoblog for entries about it. Briefly: Spy photographs taken this summer; close-to-production concept will be shown at the fall L.A. Auto Show, official debut at next year's Frankfurt motor show; on sale in Europe in late 2007/early 2008, on sale in U.S. in 2009.
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Greg A. 12:49AM (9/04/2006)
Correction: On sale in Europe beginning with model year 2008, on sale in U.S. beginning with model year 2009. If I recall correctly.
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Tarasik 9:53AM (9/04/2006)
It is simply excellent car!!
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