Škoda Octavia has been redesigned and is now in Finland. We took a short test drive in the gas version of the Octavia.

The new Škoda Octavia is particularly recognisable by its redesigned front end, dominated by a wider radiator grille. The outermost light units of the front fog lights provide the low beam and the inner ones the high beam.

The exterior dimensions of the Škoda Octavia and Škoda Octavia Combi have changed slightly as a result of the model changes.

The length of the Octavia has increased by 11 mm to 4 670 mm and that of the Octavia Comb by 8 mm to 4 667 mm. The rear axle track width has increased by 20-30 mm, depending on the model version. The wheelbase remains at 2 686 mm.

The five-door model has a boot capacity of 590 litres or 1 580 litres with the rear seat backs folded. In the estate Comb, the boot capacity is 610 litres, rising to 1 740 litres with the rear seat backs folded. The gas version has a slightly smaller boot due to the gas tank.

More environmentally friendly with gas

The new Octavia is a direct continuation of the old Octavia, so there’s not much to complain about. I tried the gas version, and the main thing I noticed was that you can’t really tell whether the engine is running on gas or petrol.

Gas is currently an environmentally friendly fuel, especially domestic biogas. The network of gas stations is growing all the time, and filling up a gas car is no different from filling up a petrol or diesel car.

Moreover, Octavia gas versions are not significantly more expensive than petrol versions.

There is plenty of space in both the cabin and the boot, and the car is packed with little extras. One is the 230-volt outlet for rear-seat passengers.

Revamped interiors

Inside, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls have been given a new look.

Ambient lighting is now available as an option on the door curtains. The narrow light strips at the bottom of the trim strips are available in a choice of ten shades.

Seven engine options are available for the Octavia: three TSI petrol engines, three TDI diesel engines and one CNG gas engine.

The engines have power outputs ranging from 81 kW (110 hp) to 135 kW (184 hp) and transmission options include a 5 or 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6 or 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The 1.4 TSI G-TEC engine in the test car runs on petrol, bio and natural gas. The engine has a power output of 110 hp. The Škoda Octavia with gas engine and 7-speed dsg gearbox has CO2 emissions of 98 g/km (Combi 99 g/km).

New assistance systems

The Škoda Octavia comes with an adaptive chassis control system. Driving mode options include Normal, Eco, Sport, Comfort and Individual.

With the renewal of the Škoda Octavia, there are five new driver assistance systems.

The automatic emergency braking system includes city driving emergency brake assist and now also proactive pedestrian protection.

A new lane-change warning system ensures safe lane changes on multi-lane roads. Two radars mounted at the rear of the car monitor traffic approaching from behind. If another vehicle is approaching quickly from the rear or is blocked in the rear wing, a warning light will come on in the outside mirror on that side.

The reverse warning light also uses the same radar. It is a new feature that helps the driver to reverse safely out of a parking space or out of a gateway. The system detects passing traffic and warns the driver first visually, then with a warning sound and finally by braking if necessary.

Trailer assist is a feature that facilitates trailer reversing.

It is also a new feature that helps when reversing a car without a trailer. The system automatically applies the brakes if it detects an obstacle on the parking sensors.

The Octavia also features adaptive cruise control, lane assist, high beam assist, traffic sign recognition, parking assist, reversing camera with washer and driver alertness detection, among other features.

New generation infotainment systems

Škoda Octavia’s infotainment system options include Swing audio system, Bolero audio system, Amundsen navigation and Columbus navigation.

The light-touch responsive capacitive touchscreen is completely new for Bolero, Amundsen and Columbus. The screen size ranges from 6.5 to 9.2 inches, depending on the system.

The Swing audio system already has a memory card slot, an Aux in input socket and a usb interface.

The Bolero audio system features an 8-inch touchscreen with finger approach technology. The system can read text messages aloud and messages can be written from the car screen.

The Amundsen navigation system is based on the Bolero system. A wireless local area network is added to the car’s interior, allowing passengers to connect to the internet with their mobile terminal while driving.

The Columbus navigation system features a 9.2-inch touchscreen display, 64 GB of storage space and an optional 4G sim card module.

The mobile service can be used to ensure that doors are locked

The infotainment systems are complemented by Škoda Connect mobile services. These are divided into two categories: Infotainment Online, which provides information and entertainment, and Care Connect, which enables driver assistance and certain remote access to the car.

One of the Infotainment Online functions is traffic information, which allows Octavia to suggest routes around traffic jams. The petrol station function lists the petrol stations along the route and their fuel prices. The Parking, News and Weather functions provide customised information.

The Škoda Octavia also offers an automatic emergency call, Škoda Driving Safety call in case of a road accident and functions such as booking a service appointment.

The driver can remotely control certain functions of the car using the Škoda Connect app on their smartphone, such as checking the fuel level, making sure the windows are closed and the doors locked.

Navigation items can be sent to the car’s navigation system, and the location of the parked car can be viewed using a smartphone.

Is a gas car a viable option?

The Octavia gas car is available with either Ambition or Style equipment. There is also the option of an automatic or manual gearbox. Body styles include a five-door and a station wagon. Octavia gas versions are always front-wheel drive. Other versions are also available with all-wheel drive.

The cheapest estate version costs €24 833 and the most expensive €28 911.

The gas car is a viable option if a gas station is close to your daily route. Then, as a rule, you can always use gas.

However, compared to a fully electric car, with a gas car you don’t have to worry about running out of gas. If there is petrol in the tank, the car will switch to petrol without you noticing.

Gasum is currently running a campaign to offer new gas cars 18 months of gas at a fixed monthly price for almost unlimited use. Biogas costs €89/month and natural gas €69/month.