Skoda World, a
burgeoning subsidiary of Stallion Motors and marketers of Skoda Auto last week
began a cautious but aggressive stance to reposition Skoda on the preference
map just as it unveiled two of Skoda’s most technologically imbued models,
Octavia and Rapid.
While the new
Octavia is re-emerging as a third generation A7 family sedan, with a new design
DNA, the Rapid is debuting as Skoda’s first model incorporating new design
language with an embodiment of crisp lines.
This by
implication means that the signature feature common to all Skoda cars such as
the grille has been fundamentally transformed to make the grille for instance
an integral part of the model nose, so it is not lifted along with the bonnet.
Mr. Sanjay
Rupani, head of sales and marketing at Skoda World, Stallion Motors Limited
said this at the product presentation of the cars at a press launch in Lagos.
He said the new
generation Octavia stands out for its unique combination of most recent
technologies and new design DNA with Skoda Autos’ harmonious lines of five-door
body for those in search of dignified elegance.
There is also a
clear emphasis on delivering the prefect experience in terms of quality,
aesthetics and ergonomics, the marketing helmsman added.
But why has
Skoda been so emphatic about its third generation A7 Skoda? Mr. Rupani
explained that the
new Octavia is the main pillar in the ŠKODA portfolio and a logical part of the
automaker’s Growth Strategy 2018.
“This will significantly
strengthen the brand’s position in the A segment around the world including
Nigeria,” he reasoned.
A highly acclaimed brand in Western
Europe, Skoda has also being a success in the markets of Eastern Europe and
Asia and currently making frantic inroads against established competition in
other markets.
Mr. Rupani who also said the Octavia is
targeted at customers who naturally expect a spacious interior, timeless design
and value for money remarked that “it is only logical that most owners of
previous generation Octavia (A5) will soon start to think of buying a new car.”
He is however convinced the new
generation Skoda would inspire a positive change in the way the brand is
perceived.
“The challenge is to express the rising
power of a brand steeped in traditions dating back more than 117 years while
remaining young and dynamic but I’m optimistic the new look Octavia wouldn’t
have any trouble retaining its tile as Skoda’s best-selling model,” he
envisages.
Mounted on Volkswagen’s MQB platform
similar to VW Golf and Audi A3, the new Octavia is to henceforth have
independent suspension at all four corners (Macpherson struts at the front and
a multi-link setup at the rear.)
Skoda offers the New Octavia in a variety
of eight engines, only the 1.8 TSI model generating 132kw / 180 bhp turbo petrol engine will at the moment be available
in the local market, Mr. Rupani assured.
He also said weight has been
significantly reduced due to the adoption of higher tensile strength metals in
the car’s construction with some models shedding as much as 102kg of weight.
Riding on a 108mm longer wheelbase, the
Octavia’s growth spurt was necessary to accommodate the Rapid sedan and the
benefits of this growth include a massive 590-litre boot space.
By also pushing the front wheels forward,
Skoda has managed to improve interior space significantly, claiming
class-leading rear seat headroom of 980mm with ample knee and leg room for rear
seat passengers as well as scads of headroom. “It is no exaggeration that the
new Octavia is indeed a roomy car,” Mr. Rupani sighed.
The new Octavia has received a five-star
NCAP safety rating with options of up to nine airbags – up from six, implying a
stronger passenger cell plus collision avoidance and automatic braking systems.
Aside this, all of the regular driving
safety systems are included such as anti-lock braking and electronic stability
control along with radar based cruise control, whose sensor can automatically
brake the car as part of a pre-crash braking system.
There is also a new automatic headlight
system that switches the high beams on and off when needed plus lane departure
warning and correction systems that will steer the car back into its lane.
Suffice to say the new Octavia has
benefited immensely from Volkswagen’s technical and manufacturing know-how with
an ergonomic cabin and a tangible sense of quality.
Commenting on the new Octavia after the
test drive Mr. Rupani said “the new Octavia is effortless car to drive,
cruising quietly yet more than happy to be propelled through consecutive
corners at grin-inducing velocities.”
He said “being lighter pays off in terms
of cornering ability and braking too and this makes the car sharper and more
nimble than its predecessor (despite being longer and wider.)
This new recipe would surely help Skoda
to up the ante by half a million annually from four million Octavia cars sold
since 1996, Mr. Rupani envisions.
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