2013 Skoda Octavia III

The 2013 Octavia is the first Skoda model to make use of the VW Group's new and lighter MQB platform that underpins several other compact cars, most notably the VW Golf Mk7 and the latest Audi A3 hatchbacks.

Compared to the model it replaces, the new Octavia is 90mm longer at 4,659mm, 45mm wider at 1,814mm, and more importantly, the wheelbase has been stretched by 108mm to 2,686mm, something that mainly benefits the interior and space on the rear seats.

As a result, front head room has increased by 8 mm, front elbow width by 39 mm and rear elbow width by 26 mm over the outgoing Octavia. According to Skoda, the Octavia offers a class-leading interior space in the compact segment with 1,782 mm of interior length and the largest boot with a volume of 590 liters.

Besides being more spacious, the new model also sports a more premium feel both inside and out.

The exterior design of the car is sleek and to the point and has more presence than the previous Octavia. A new characteristic that we will be seeing more of in future Skoda models is an upswept dynamic window line in the rear doors, which the company calls a “fin”.

Inside, the uncluttered interior styling is typical of VW Group models with Skoda adding the latest in infotainment systems and other tech goodies including the availability for the first time of an Adaptive Cruise Assistant and a traffic-sign recognition as part of the ‘Traveller Assistant’ package.

Also new are the Intelligent Light Assistant that will switch to high beam and back automatically, a panoramic sunroof and the Driving Mode Selection that enables drivers to set certain vehicle driving characteristics at the push of the button.

The new Octavia Mk3 will make it to the European market next spring with a selection of eight turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. These include a 1.4-liter TSI petrol delivering 120hp (122PS), a 1.8-liter TSI petrol producing 177hp (180PS) and a 1.6-liter TDI, which in GreenLine trim generates 109hp (110PS) returning 3.4lt/100km (69.2mpg US or 83.1mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of just 89 g/km.

Skoda said manual and DSG transmissions are available, with all-wheel-drive versions in the works.

A performance RS (vRS in the UK) version fitted with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the next VW Golf GTI will follow late next year as well.

The new Octavia will be formally introduced to the public at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March. 

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2013 Skoda Rapid Sedan Details

The Rapid makes use of on an extended version of the VW Polo's platform and measures 4.48 m (176.4 in.) in length, 1.71 m (67.3 in.) in width and 1.46 m (57.5 in.) in height.

The Czech automaker said that despite the car's compact dimensions, it will "comfortably seat up to five persons" providing ample luggage space.

While we cannot comment on the passenger room yet, the new Skoda that is equipped with a tailgate that lifts together with the rear window has a capacious boot space of 550 litres, which is just shy of the 560 litres offered by the much larger BMW 5-Series Estate.

The car that closes the gap between the Fabia supermini and the Octavia will hit European showrooms this fall following its debut at the Paris Moto Show with a selection of four petrol and two diesel engines, all of them conforming to EU 5 standards.

The petrol line-up includes the 1.2-liter MPI three-cylinder producing 74hp (75PS), a 1.2-liter TSI turbo with 85hp (86PS) and 103hp (105PS) and a 1.4-liter TSI turbo with 121hp (122PS).

The two diesels are a 1.6 liter unit with direct common rail injection and a particulate matter filter with 89hp (90PS) that is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2013, and the 1.6-liter TDI CR with 104hp (105PS). Both of these diesel engines will be offered with an optional seven-speed DSG double-clutch transmission.

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