A quarter of a century ago, Škoda Auto took a step into a new era: one of the most modern car plants in Europe at the time began operations in Mladá Boleslav. At the same time, series production of the new Škoda Octavia, the brand's most important new model, started there. Since then, around seven million of the four new Octavia generations have been delivered.
The modern Octavia is one of the most important guarantors of Škoda Auto's successful development. From the very beginning, it has impressed with its good space, modern technology, high safety standards and an attractive price/performance ratio. It also offered modern technologies in every generation - in the current edition, for example, a plug-in hybrid drive as the Octavia iV (combined fuel consumption 1.5 - 1.2 l/100 km, combined carbon dioxide emissions 34 - 28 g/km). With these qualities, the Octavia developed into the heart of the brand.
In 1996, Škoda Auto presented the first compact class model following the company's integration into the Volkswagen Group. The traditional name Octavia was used as the model designation. Between 1959 and 1971, more than 280,000 units of this popular model series had already rolled off the production line, including the Octavia Combi version. The Latin term 'octavia' means 'the eighth'. At the time, the newcomer was the brand's eighth model after the Second World War and also the eighth Škoda model with independent all-round suspension since the Czech car manufacturer introduced it in 1933.
The 'Ur-Octavia' was also in demand beyond the borders of what was then Czechoslovakia and also achieved a number of motorsport successes: highlights in the now 120-year history of Škoda Motorsport include the class victory hat-trick at the Monte Carlo Rally from 1961 to 1963, the triumph of the Škoda Octavia in its category at the 4.000 miles from Montreal in Canada to Vancouver in 1962 and at the Shell 4000 Rally in 1963.
The history of the modern Octavia began in 1992. Since the integration of Škoda Auto into the Volkswagen Group, the compact class model has been gradually developed further. On the new Group platform, computer-aided design (CAD) technology was used to create a body with an unmistakable, timeless design - the result of the work of the team led by designer Dirk van Braeckel.
At the same time, preparations were made for the construction of a new production facility in Mladá Boleslav, which would enable efficient modular production and the assembly of components and assemblies delivered just-in-time. The body skeletons traveled along the assembly line on height-adjustable assembly plates, so that it was no longer necessary to rely on hanging devices from conveyor systems. A new paint shop was also added to the assembly line in the 37,500 square meter hall, large parts of which are glazed. After the grand opening of the factory hall on September 3, 1996, production capacity increased by 90,000 to 350,000 vehicles per year.
In 1996, the first year of sales, Škoda Octavia customers could choose between two four-cylinder petrol engines (1.6 MPI/55 kW and 1.8 20 V/92 kW) and a turbodiesel - the economical 1.9 TDI with an output of 66 kW achieved a standard consumption of 5.1 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. At the top of the engine range, which was gradually expanded, was the 1.8 20 V Turbo with 110 kW. The Octavia Combi made its debut in March 1998, and a version with all-wheel drive was added in 1999. By November 2010, a total of more than 973,000 liftbacks and over 472,000 estate cars of the first Octavia generation had been produced.
Among other things, the liftback was characterized by a high level of active and passive safety, for example it had front and side airbags. The spacious trunk was easily accessible via the large tailgate and offered space for 528 to 1,328 liters of luggage.
The second generation of the modern Škoda Octavia was delivered to customers from 2004 to 2013 and even surpassed the success of the first. In addition to an even higher utility value, it also offered many technical innovations - such as petrol engines with direct injection or the DSG automated dual-clutch gearbox. The third generation of the Octavia rolled off the production line between 2012 and 2020.
On November 11, 2019, the car manufacturer from Mladá Boleslav presented the current, fourth generation of its bestseller. Today, Škoda Auto offers the Octavia with the widest range of engines in the history of the model series to date. It is available as a saloon and estate and comes with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. In addition to efficient petrol and diesel engines, the range also includes a wide selection of alternative drive systems, including natural gas (CNG) (combined fuel consumption 3.7 - 3.6 kg/100 km, combined carbon dioxide emissions 100-98 g/km) as well as plug-in hybrid drive and mild hybrid. Compared to the previous generations, the amount of space has increased once again, and the new Octavia is safer and more connected than ever.
In the meantime, it has won numerous awards from renowned international trade magazines and is in demand worldwide as a permanent fixture in its segment.
