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The ‘90’ in ‘90TSI’ refers to the power level of the engine in
the latest addition to Skodas’ Octavia model range. While 90kw from a 1.4litre engine does not sound like much, the 200Nm of torque enable this car to become a sporty sedan. It truly must be one of the luxury/ sports sedan bargains of the century!
Proportionally,
the Octavia wagon looks like a large vehicle, but once you’re
comfortably nestled in behind the wheel, it feels like you’re steering
nothing bigger than a Golf, such are the dynamics and versatility of
this engine and the progressive way the car puts the power down. It’s
also quiet inside the cabin, but with just the right dose of engine
note, when you have cause to prod the right pedal. 
My first test car was fitted with only one option, the DSG (Direct
Shift Gearbox) 7-speed transmission, and what a treat this piece of
technology is. Super smooth shifts, with almost no loss of power
between those shifts.
Of course, you don’t have to buy an Octavia wagon, for many, the
Octavia Liftback would be the better choice although, few would argue
that it’s not as visually appealing as the wagon. What Skoda calls the
‘Liftback’ is actually a hatch, but the clever design makes it look
like a traditional sedan with a boot and what a boot it is, the word
‘huge’ comes to mind.
It’s been a while since I climbed aboard a Skoda Octavia, and the
first thing you notice is that rock solid prestige ‘thud’ when you
close the door. Even in this base model, you can’t help feel that
you’re sitting in a premium marque and it sure is a nice place to be.
It’s not about any one feature, it’s the whole package, from the
quality plastics and materials, the superbly bolstered and comfortable
seats (which you would expect to find in a proper Euro sports car),
together with a first class ride quality.
Even the steering wheel is a thick rimmed, leather bound, sports
style tiller, with easy to use remote audio controls. There’s also
cruise control, power windows and remote central locking as standard
kit, as well as a full inventory of active and passive safety features.
Driving down into the Galston Gorge in Sydney’s Berowra Valley,
there were plenty of hairpins and quick corners to test the handling of
the 90TSI, and it didn’t disappoint. Turn in is accurate and the
steering is quick to respond, while body roll is non-existent at the
speed limit, even in the wagon. This thing feels very planted on the
road.
Skoda, like its big sister brand Volkswagen, have always had the
Midas touch when it comes to suspension tuning. While the Octavia’s
ride is suitably firm to combat any hint of lean in the bends, it’s
always complaint, ironing out potholes and bumps on the worst of our
tarmac.
Forward and side vision is good too, there’s plenty of window depth
around the Octavia, despite the rather thick A, B, and C pillars, which
clearly add to the structural rigidity of the car.
On my return journey back to the airport, I hopped into the $24,990
entry model 90TSI with a six-speed manual transmission, which I was
more than ready to rule out given how easy the DSG box is to live with.
How wrong could I have been, and precisely the reason why
test-driving different variants is mandatory before making that final
purchase decision.
I seriously doubt there exists a smoother, more slippery manual
transmission than what Skoda have employed in the Octavia 90TSI. This
car puts the fun back into the daily drive. Slipping into any one of
the six gear ratios requires fingertip shift effort only, while the
sheer smoothness of each gear change, makes for an incredibly enjoyable
driving experience. Would I take the manual version over the DSG? The
short answer is, yes.
The other good news in the Octavia stable is the addition of SatNav
on the 118TSI and 103TDI variants as standard equipment. That alone, is
a saving of $2590 off the previous iteration.
The RS gets the SatNav too and also picks up another useful piece of
standard fit technology in the Extended Electronic Differential Lock
(XDL).
Skoda has loads of potential especially in Australia, with sales
this year up 50 percent on 2009 numbers. That means around 1800 new
Skoda club members for 2010 and the Octavia model range will be a big
part of that sales drive.
The biggest problem Skoda has here in Australia, after supply, is
getting folks to at least visit a Skoda dealer. Once they test drive
the cars, dealers report a one in five success rate, which is not at
all surprising, given the value for money proposition this marque
represents.
The list of customer satisfaction awards and Car of the Year wins
for Skoda throughout Europe is long and indeed impressive, but again,
not surprising to anyone who has actually driven a Skoda.
There are currently twenty-four Octavia variants to choose from in
Australia, from $24,990 for the 90TSI Liftback with the six-speed
manual transmission, through to the halo car, the Octavia RS Wagon with
DSG for $43,790.
Thanks to Caradvice.
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