The new Octavia Hatch model will be introduced to the European markets in the coming weeks. The Czech car manufacturer will also be presenting the new ŠKODA Octavia Estate model for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show.

“For ŠKODA safety is one of the key priorities,” says Dr. Frank Welsch, ŠKODA Board Member for technical development. He continued, “That is also true for the new Octavia. Our goal is to make the journey as comfortable and safe as possible for both the driver and passengers. With numerous active assistance systems and a comprehensive package of passive safety features, this new model is the safest ever”.

“The test results from Euro NCAP are further evidence of our high level of safety. We are pleased with the overall result of a five-star top rating from independent experts”, explained Welsch.

Euro NCAP awarded top marks for the circumferential occupant protection of adults seated in the front. The new ŠKODA Octavia achieved 93% of the possible number of points in this category. The passenger compartment remained stable and the front-seated dummies were virtually undamaged after the test. The circumferential protection of front seated adults of different body sizes, in different seating positions, was proven to be equally as good.

Likewise, the new ŠKODA Octavia achieved very good results in terms of child safety. The Euro NCAP test engineers gave a high rating in pedestrian protection. Additionally, the testers were impressed by the Octavia’s innovative safety assistance systems, including the equipment fitted as standard in EU countries such as electronic stability control (ESC) and the driver and passenger seatbelt reminder.

The new ŠKODA Octavia also employs active safety systems, which had formerly been reserved for higher class vehicles. These include the Front Assistant with Emergency Brake Function (available from May 2013), the Lane Assistant, keeping the Octavia in lane, Multi Collision Brakes with automatic brake intervention during an accident, a Crew Protection Assistant to safeguard the vehicle in accidents and the Driver Activity Assistant to recognise driver fatigue. These systems help to avoid accidents or mitigate their consequences for passengers and other road users. You can find out more about these great active safety systems here.

The driver and passengers are well catered for with a comprehensive package of passive safety elements. Up to nine airbags in finely tuned interaction with 3-point seat belts reactively protect the occupants from injury. It is the first time that side airbags in the rear and knee-airbags (standard in EU countries) have been available in the ŠKODA Octavia. Additionally, the precise chassis, long wheel-base and solid body structure ensure extremely stable handling for the latest ŠKODA model. The new ŠKODA Octavia has grown significantly in its dimensions and, thanks to its lightweight construction, is actually 102 kg lighter than the previous model.

Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) is an independent consortium of European transport ministries, automobile associations, insurers and consumer advocates. The organisation conducts crash tests on new types of automobiles and assesses their safety.

ŠKODA’s Octavia sets new standards in the compact segment and reaffirms its unique position in the class. The new Octavia Estate offers unrivalled space, functionality, innovative safety and comfort systems, fuel efficiency, and many ‘Simply Clever’ ideas at exceptional value for money setting it apart from its competitors.

“The ŠKODA Octavia is at the heart of the brand and our most popular model by far,” said ŠKODA Chairman, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. He continued: “The Estate represents all good ŠKODA values and has a large share in the success of this model range. With the third generation, the Octavia Estate takes a huge leap forward. The car really is in a class of its own; offering mid-class quality at compact-estate prices.”

The new ŠKODA Octavia Estate has grown significantly, boasting a dynamic and elegant design. ŠKODA Chief Designer, Jozef Kabaň, and his team have redesigned the car from head to toe. Never before has a ŠKODA Octavia Estate been so dynamic and yet timelessly elegant, distinctive, sophisticated and confident on the road as the third generation of this best seller.

Dynamic loadmaster with precise design

The new ŠKODA Octavia Estate is 90 mm longer and 45 mm wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase has grown by almost 11 cm, resulting in record room and space. “Our ŠKODA Octavia Estate offers rear-seat passengers lots of legroom – 73 mm in front of the knees – the highest in its segment. And at 610 litres, the size of the boot sets a new record for its class,” said Dr. Frank Welsch, ŠKODA Board Member for Technical Development. By folding the rear backrests down, the boot space of the Estate increases to an impressive 1,740 litres.

There are also numerous ‘Simply Clever’ details shared with the Octavia Hatch, including, a double-sided boot floor mat, the comprehensive net restraint system, multiple bag hooks, a waste bin and numerous bottle holders, multimedia device holders, an ice scraper in the fuel tank opening and a warning-vest holder under the driver’s seat. In addition, the new Estate offers a host of smart solutions which make life easier, including a coat rack and a remote fold-down function for the rear-seat backrest. The folding passenger seat makes transporting long objects easy. There is also space for a luggage compartment retractable parcel shelf and roof bars under the adjustable and retractable variable boot floor.

The design of the Octavia Estate is the epitome of clarity, precision and perfect proportions. “The new ŠKODA Octavia Estate is the perfect combination of form and function,” said Dr. Welsch.

The front view is identical to the new Hatch. The clearly structured side view of the new ŠKODA Octavia Estate works through a dynamically flowing silhouette. Additionally, the closed, clear-cut side graphic is distinctively emphasised by the high Tornado line. The roofline of the Estate slopes gently towards the rear and passes elegantly over into the D-pillar. The rear lights extend far into the side rear section and are the final points of the tornado line.

The rear is also clearly and precisely designed. The new Octavia Estate is instantly recognisable as a ŠKODA from the back view because of the C-shaped taillights as well as the characteristic triangular elements in the tailgate. Just like the Hatch, the ŠKODA Octavia Estate has two C-shaped light strips in each taillight, which enhance the graphical impact.

Innovative assistants, fuel-efficient engines

There are modern safety assistants available upon request onboard the new ŠKODA Octavia Estate such as the Automatic Post-Collision Brake, Front Assistant with City Emergency Braking Function, the Driver Activity Assistant (fatigue detection), the Crew Protection Assistant and the Lane Assistant to keep you inside the lanes. If an accident does occur, a comprehensive passive safety package ensures the best possible protection of the driver and passengers, including up to nine airbags.

The new Octavia Estate has numerous electronic comfort systems that have so far only been seen in higher class cars. These include the new Adaptive Cruise Control, an automatic distance control and the Intelligent Light Assistant, a high-beam assistant. There is also a range of completely new generation radio and radio-navigation systems.

The newly developed engines of the third-generation ŠKODA Octavia Estate are up to 17% more economical than the previous generation engines. In the UK, two petrol and two diesels will be available. A fuel efficient GreenLine II version will reach a consumption of only 83.1mpg and CO2 emissions of only 89 g/km.

Also, to be seen for the first time at the 2013 Geneva Motor show is the ŠKODA Octavia Estate 4×4 with a newly developed all-wheel drive and fifth-generation Haldex clutch.