Unveiled for the first time at the Paris auto show last October, the mildly facelifted Octavia Sedan and Estate models boast a new nose and tail that brings them in line with Czech firm's latest vehicles like the Fabia and Superb. Likewise, the 2009 Octavia's cabin inherits several styling elements from the larger Superb such as the four-spoke steering wheel, the climate controls and the revised trim. Under the sheetmetal, changes include the addition of the new 122HP 1.4 TSI gasoline engine in and the availability of the VW Group's new seven-speed DSG double-clutch gearbox. 
At the Essen Motor Show in Germany, Skoda presented a study version of its flagship Octavia model, the RS, which unlike the rest of the car's range, has yet to be revealed in facelift form - see details and images here. The Essen motorshow Octavia RS+ Study sports a black colored bodykit with a front lip spoiler and a rear diffuser that incorporates the twin tailpipes, black mirror caps and black alloy wheels. Inside, the Czech automaker accessorized the RS+ with contrasting red leather seats (Recaro bucket seats up front), door panels and steering wheel as well as with faux carbon fiber trim.The Octavia RS+ Study does not feature any mechanical upgrades. In Europe, the Octavia RS is offered in both sedan and estate variants with two powertrain options, a 200HP 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel unit that delivers 170 HP. The facelifted RS is expected to be introduced in early 2009.
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The freshly revised Skoda Octavia that was unveiled for the first time at the Paris Motorshow will be arriving at the Czech firm's U.K. showrooms this January with prices representing an average increase of £473 for the Octavia Hatch and £478 for the Octavia Estate over the outgoing model. The new Octavia has undergone a series of design changes which include a new front fascia with sweeping headlights, new foldable door mirrors, an updated interior and a brand new 1.4 TSI 122bhp engine that replaces the current 1.6 FSI 115HP engine. Prices for the Octavia range from £11,580 for the 80HP 1.4 16v sedan to £21,200 for the 170HP 2.0 TDI vRS Estate with the dual-clutch DSG transmission (click here for our high-res image gallery).
Continuing its positive growth trend, VW’s Czech subsidiary Skoda sold 63,726 vehicles worldwide in April recording a 23.3% increase on the same period last year. In the first four months of the year, Skoda sold 237,200 cars, up 17.7% on January-April 2007. The Czech carmaker’s fastest-growing markets were The company’s best selling model is the Octavia, with 25,475 vehicles, increased by 42.9% on April last year. A total of 7,500 Octavia Estates were sold in the month, a rise of 16.3 per cent on last April.-Continued
“We are very happy about the positive sales trends, especially as we are now waiting for the launch of the new Superb, which will soon be available to customers in all major markets,” said Fred Kappler, Skoda Auto’s Head of sales and marketing. “We are mainly growing in the new markets –
It took Skoda 12 years and two generations to produce its two-millionth Octavia model. The milestone-marking vehicle, a silver Octavia Scout 2.0 TDI, was produced today at the Czech carmaker’s home plant in Vrchlabí. The first generation Octavia, based on the VW Golf, was launched into the market in 1996. In 2004, Skoda presented the second-generation model but since the older model was still popular with customers, the company keeps producing it under the Octavia Tour mark.The production of Octavia Tour is located in Vrchlabí with assembly points in Skoda’s plants in
Altogether the Company has produced 1,315,000 first-generation Octavias and 685,000 second-generation Octavias since the market launch in 2004. Skoda delivered 72,529 Octavia Tour vehicles and 237,422 Octavias in 2007.
Skoda is entering the crossover territory with its new Octavia Scout that will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September 2006. Nothing special, as differences between the stock Octavia Station Wagon and the Scout basically sum up to the slightly upraised ground clearance and a few plastic add-ons. If your still intrested and willing to pay a "few" euros more, market introduction for the Scout, is planned for the first quarter of 2007.
Press Release: 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.
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 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, 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, body-colour 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 Skoda 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 6speed manual transmission.
To provide its off-road capability, the Octavia Scout is fitted with the well-proven four-wheel drive system from Skoda Auto. The core of the drive train is the Haldex multi-plate clutch installed in front of the rear axle.
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