Skoda are something of a role in those days. It celebrated its best year ever and now have commercials edgy and powerful do to celebrate niche models – a sure sign of a particular company – as the Fabia VRS ad ran, we demonstrated last week. And it’s not just on the road Skoda prove to be stellar performers, but also motor sport. Well, the International Rally Challenge (IRC). 
The ‘90’ in ‘90TSI’ refers to the kilowatts the engine develops in the latest addition to Skodas’ Octavia model range. After a short drive, I can tell you without any qualms whatsoever, this car is the prestige bargain of the century.
You’d be right in thinking that 90 kilowatts might have had hard time hauling around the mass of the Octavia 90TSI wagon we drove today as part of the launch program by Skoda Australia, but that’s just not the case when you factor in the extra wide peak torque curve.
The 1.4 litre TSI engine delivers 200 Newton-metres of good old fashioned pulling power, from 1500-4000rpm, and that’s more than enough for this family chariot to feel like a fun, if not, sporty car to drive.
Proportionally, the Octavia wagon looks like a large vehicle, but once you’re comfortably nestled in behind the wheel, it feels like you’re steering nothing bigger than a Golf, such are the dynamics and versatility of this engine and the progressive way the car puts the power down. It’s also quiet inside the cabin, but with just the right dose of engine note, when you have cause to prod the right pedal.
My first test car was fitted with only one option, the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) 7-speed transmission, and what a treat this piece of technology is. Super smooth shifts, with almost no loss of power between those shifts.
Of course, you don’t have to buy an Octavia wagon, for many, the Octavia Liftback would be the better choice although, few would argue that it’s not as visually appealing as the wagon. What Skoda calls the ‘Liftback’ is actually a hatch, but the clever design makes it look like a traditional sedan with a boot and what a boot it is, the word ‘huge’ comes to mind.
It’s been a while since I climbed aboard a Skoda Octavia, and the first thing you notice is that rock solid prestige ‘thud’ when you close the door. Even in this base model, you can’t help feel that you’re sitting in a premium marque and it sure is a nice place to be.
It’s not about any one feature, it’s the whole package, from the quality plastics and materials, the superbly bolstered and comfortable seats (which you would expect to find in a proper Euro sports car), together with a first class ride quality.
Even the steering wheel is a thick rimmed, leather bound, sports style tiller, with easy to use remote audio controls. There’s also cruise control, power windows and remote central locking as standard kit, as well as a full inventory of active and passive safety features.
Driving down into the Galston Gorge in Sydney’s Berowra Valley, there were plenty of hairpins and quick corners to test the handling of the 90TSI, and it didn’t disappoint. Turn in is accurate and the steering is quick to respond while body roll is non-existent at the speed limit, even in the wagon.
Skoda, like its big sister brand Volkswagen, have always had the Midas touch when it comes to suspension tuning. While the Octavia ride is suitably firm to combat any hint of lean in the bends, it’s always complaint, ironing out potholes and bumps on the worst of our tarmac.
Skoda have updated their Octavia RS (or vRS for the UK market) with a range of new things. The Octavia RS could be described as the more spacious version of the previous Golf GTI. You will find a 200-hp 2.0-litre petrol unit which gets around 7.5 litres per 100 km and a 170-hp 2.0-litre TDi with a fuel consumption of about 5.7-litres per 100km. Both of these engines will have a six-speed DSG ‘box.
On the outside, the Octavia RS models feature a redesigned front mask with an RS logo and reshaped headlamps that, for the first time in the RS version, can be fitted with xenon units combined with an adaptive front lighting module. The RS also gets restyled bumpers and tail lamps while Skoda also offers a new metallic paint and 18-inch Neptune alloy wheels. In the interior, Skoda has revised the Octavia RS's trim while the Climatronic air conditioning system gets new controls.
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