Review: Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI and 1.4 TSI Manual Transmission

While we did a comprehensive review of the Skoda 2.0 TDI DSG automatic earlier, we had not sampled the manual version of the 2.0 TDI and the 1.4 TSI variants. We had driven the new Octavia on the smooth and windy roads leading up to Shimla. This time, we wanted to test the two manual transmission cars on the excruciating Mumbai streets with slow moving traffic. Here’s our two pence on the manual transmission variants of the two cars

Design

The new Octavia is inspired by the new, more angular and sporty Skoda design philosophy, and thus features straighter cuts and chiseled surfaces as compared to its predecessor, known as the Laura in our part of the world. The new model has also grown in terms of length, breadth and width and now looks like a car from a class above the segment it represents. Space, comfort and convenience have all gone up a notch with the new model.

There’s something amazing about the cars coming from an evolved manufacturer design wise. They have the brand’s identity stamped all over them – their lineage is simply unmistakable. It’s the same in the Octavia’s case too. The face of the car now looks different. It’s more aggressive and slashed out, and yet, manages to retain just the right number of typical Octavia design cues to stand out as a Skoda.

The angular headlights impart loads of purpose to the face of the car. Strong creases on the bonnet merging into the radiator grille lend the new Octavia a sense of brawn, power and athleticism. The slim, wide front central air-dam in the lower part of the bumper and the angular fog lamps add to the visually wide stance of the car.

The new Octavia is significantly longer, the rear windows are bigger, and the shape of the roofline also suggests more headroom for the rear occupants. The rear window on the new car also features a quarter-panel with a pronounced black cladding around the aft portion.

At the rear, the new Octavia has some resemblance with that of the smaller Rapid. The bumper is more angularly cut, and the boot appears to be taller. The familiar C motif on the tail-lights makes this car instantly recognizable as a Skoda from behind, even from a distance.

The new Octavia has a muscular feel and an aggressive air without crossing the boundary of elegance and good proportions.

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