There is a problem with current lineup of Octavia 3 in UK.
First, engine vs drivetrain options. In current lineup 1.2 and 1.4 TSI engines were revised to be belt driven. Belt is of a long life type, but it's worth to remember that last time VAG tried this (1.8T) they had to lower down belt service intervals down to 40,000 miles after first few years and lawsuits. First reports from continent indicate "long life" oil intervals might have been electronically shortened to 13-15k miles on 1.4 TSI.
1.8 and 2.0TSI are still chain driven (at least there are chain parts listed in ETKA for both) and apparently a lot of changes were made to avoid the appetite for oil. In O2FL generation factory tolerance for TSI engines was 1 litre per 630 miles (which is why Skoda is still refusing to address oil consumption of 9 litres between two services 18,000 miles apart on my TSI as it's "within tolerance"). The current TSI generation tolerance was adjusted to "just" 0.5 litre per 1000 miles.
2.0TSI in O3 is only available in vRS range, while 1.8TSI was destined for high output and 4x4 versions of Elegance and eventually Laurin & Klement. However, due to unexplainable decision by Skoda UK, 1.8TSI models will not be sold in UK. They are available in other RHD countries, Ireland for example, but SUK will not allow any orders for the new 1.8 TSI through any UK dealers at the moment or in the near future. In similar fashion, UK dealers cannot order factory 4x4 versions in Hatchback format, petrol engines with 5th gen 4x4 haldex or 4x4 matched with DSG gearboxes (they use the old, more reliable 6 speed wet clutch boxes for haldex versions). The only 4x4's available in UK appear be two manual diesels in estate format. Some other options are inexplicably missing from UK catalogue as well. Some seat options, internal footwell lighting, chrome window surroundings and such.
But here is where SUK decision to shag around with factory spec creates a problem. Due to low power output being destined for fleets and mini cabs, Skoda (the factory) decided to remove multilink rear suspension from anything that does not have haldex or is below 160hp. Probably to save weight, cost and improve emission figures. In other words, the only O3 cars that will have handling and grip comparable with previous O2FL are the vRS, 4x4 petrols and 1.8TSI. The latter two are not sold in UK, which means the only way to get multilink rear suspension in UK is to order vRS.
Unlike the previous vRS range which had base price of £16k (via brokers), the new vRS range currently starts at nearly 20k (via brokers). Incidentally, that's about the sum that would previously buy you L&K TSI with about every single option factory had to offer in 02FL world.
Along with price hike it's also worth noting that UK vRS gets less standard equipment than RS on continent. Optional extras are a bit of a problem too. To give you an example, by the time you spec O3 vRS to have the same level as Golf GTI it will cost about the same (within 5% price difference) to the very Golf GTI with the same engine. Obviously Golf in comparison can be brought to the level one cannot spec on Octavia, mechanical limited slip differential, adaptive chassis control and more power out of the box to name but few major differences. In similar fashion, pimped out Elegance is more expensive than Leon FR with considerably more power and about the same toys.
Weird trivia about O3:
- in this generation hatchback has more real life loading space than estate. Estate still has more "volume", 20 litres or one jerry can worth of "air space" due to shape of the tailgate, but hatchback is few cm longer inside and has wider opening.
- vRS diesels get embarrassing "engine note" generator that plays back audio of fake petrol engine through speakers.
- All vRS have "fake diff". Upon fast cornering additional set of instructions in ABS system applies slight braking pressure on the inner wheel to increase torque on the outer wheel to imitate LSD behaviour.
In short, it's about what Evo said in their review
- in non vRS range, the only O3 cars worth having will not be sold in UK. The rest despite better tech, is worse drivers car than outgoing O2FL. Insanely priced on top of it.
- in vRS range, the current O3 vRS thanks to better tech is better car than outgoing vRS O2FL. Pricing to own is just prohibitively insane. Some positively cheap PCP are available, but almost all are based on totally miscalculated depreciation values and you are highly unlikely to be paying the final settlement figures to own it.
Realistically, Skoda UK will have to drop prices and go another permanent "0% VAT" for several years on O3. They overpriced the heck out of this car, probably to push slow selling Rapid to cabbies, but as Seat prepares to launch Cupra and ST before the end of the year, O3 prices will have to go down where they belong - back to £16k for vRS, under £20k for L&K. They'll probably call it "limited" or "Black" Edition for several years again.
Just noticed what meant to be few lines turned into one heck of a rant. My apologies. thanksfortheinfo.jpgs will be frowned upon.
I think I'm going to have a good look at the new vrs estate (petrol/manual) within the next few weeks. The hatch would probably suit me fine but I just don't get the look of that spoiler!
