RE: New PHEV Skoda Octavia vRS caught ahead of Geneva
Discussion
JackReacher said:
Back end looks much better, and definitely a hint of modern Volvo to that.
Could someone explain how these hybrids work. Am I right saying that if you forgot to charge it, or the battery ran out (which wouldn't take long) that you are then driving a sporty car with just 150bhp while carrying around extra weight of batteries? So unless you have some charge, its going to feel very slow.
Assuming it works like my Golf GTE did (which as it's the same powertrain, it should), there was a "GTE mode". It would keep the engine running unless you were crawling in traffic and always aim to have the battery about a third full so when you wanted acceleration, there was plenty of charge to help out. You could drive it all the time in that mode without ever plugging in and it would feel plenty quick enough.Could someone explain how these hybrids work. Am I right saying that if you forgot to charge it, or the battery ran out (which wouldn't take long) that you are then driving a sporty car with just 150bhp while carrying around extra weight of batteries? So unless you have some charge, its going to feel very slow.
Run in electric until miles go to zero then it goes into hybrid mode - still has a bit in reserve to help out on acceleration but you can deplete that quite quickly and it feels a bit flatter then.
They make the most sense though when you charge as often as you can and run on electric for all the mundane driving. Actually feels plenty quick enough below 40mph on electric only (all that torque delivered from zero) so for around town it's fine. Or on long trips starting with a full battery means the hybrid mode has a big reserve to shut off the engine when it can. Used to get 80+mpg on 100ish mile trips. Even starting from an empty battery it would do 45mpg.
One of these would fix the biggest issue with the Golf - packaging fuel tank and battery, meaning a much smaller boot. Golf GTE could tow 1250kg, so I assume this will do at least that too.
Edited by sjg on Wednesday 26th February 16:58
I remember when cars used to get more desirable with each passing generation generally. Now it seems the opposite - In the last few months - Audi A5, Golf, Octavia, BMW 1 and 3 Series all look worse, detuned engines for emissions, half hearted hybrids adding weight and complication - BMW 330Es are much slower and much less economical than a 330d. Won't be worth buying new fossil fuel cars soon at all.
Jon_S_Rally said:
The MK3 Octavia vRS was probably one of the ultimate all-rounders in my view. Golf GTI (or GTD) oily bits, available as an estate, good towing capacity and decent looks. It looks like most of those characteristics are going to be gone though.
As a hybrid, I guess it won't be able to tow much, it's now lost the Golf GTI bits and looks horrendous. It's a shame, the current Superb is a great looking car in my view, but this just has really awkward lines and creases. It looks disjointed and doesn't flow at all.
Sorry Skoda, I'm out.
It hasn't lost anything, if anything it's gained and broadened it's appeal.As a hybrid, I guess it won't be able to tow much, it's now lost the Golf GTI bits and looks horrendous. It's a shame, the current Superb is a great looking car in my view, but this just has really awkward lines and creases. It looks disjointed and doesn't flow at all.
Sorry Skoda, I'm out.
The example spotted is the hybrid variant, but there will also be a petrol with approx 250ps (GTI bits) and diesel with approx 200ps (GTD bits).
Agree on the MK3 though. Had a petrol one for the last 4 years and genuinely struggling to justify chopping for anything else. It's such a good all rounder.
ahenners said:
It hasn't lost anything, if anything it's gained and broadened it's appeal.
The example spotted is the hybrid variant, but there will also be a petrol with approx 250ps (GTI bits) and diesel with approx 200ps (GTD bits).
Agree on the MK3 though. Had a petrol one for the last 4 years and genuinely struggling to justify chopping for anything else. It's such a good all rounder.
Are there going to be petrol and diesel versions? Doesn't seem to be any mention of that?The example spotted is the hybrid variant, but there will also be a petrol with approx 250ps (GTI bits) and diesel with approx 200ps (GTD bits).
Agree on the MK3 though. Had a petrol one for the last 4 years and genuinely struggling to justify chopping for anything else. It's such a good all rounder.
If there isn't, it has lost a lot (for me at least), as the fact it had a decent towing weight was a big part of the appeal of these. Finding a sensible size estate with a decent towing capacity - that can also offer some thrills - is a bit of a challenge. Apparently the Focus ST has a decent ability now, so that might widen the options at least, but I think the MK3 Octavia had the format pretty much nailed.
Jon_S_Rally said:
Are there going to be petrol and diesel versions? Doesn't seem to be any mention of that?
It seems there will indeed, link below.https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/octavia/108748...
Jon_S_Rally said:
Are there going to be petrol and diesel versions? Doesn't seem to be any mention of that?
If there isn't, it has lost a lot (for me at least), as the fact it had a decent towing weight was a big part of the appeal of these. Finding a sensible size estate with a decent towing capacity - that can also offer some thrills - is a bit of a challenge. Apparently the Focus ST has a decent ability now, so that might widen the options at least, but I think the MK3 Octavia had the format pretty much nailed.
Golf GTE can do 1250kg, Passat GTE 1600kg on this powertrain. No reason why the Octavia (and Leon) versions wouldn't be around there. If there isn't, it has lost a lot (for me at least), as the fact it had a decent towing weight was a big part of the appeal of these. Finding a sensible size estate with a decent towing capacity - that can also offer some thrills - is a bit of a challenge. Apparently the Focus ST has a decent ability now, so that might widen the options at least, but I think the MK3 Octavia had the format pretty much nailed.
It's not styled like a Miura, but I like it.
Since I've bought two- I totally agree with above comments about the Mk3- I'm likely to be the target market.
Octavia vRS has always been about Space and Pace (if missing the Grace that marked out old Jags). I find myself less in need of the space than before but it's a very good all rounder, and a hybrid version makes a great deal of sense.
My worry is it's getting a little too big now. Each generation is bigger than the last and my Mk3 is just narrow enough to fit through local width restrictors. That might be a deal breaker for me and the Mk4.
Since I've bought two- I totally agree with above comments about the Mk3- I'm likely to be the target market.
Octavia vRS has always been about Space and Pace (if missing the Grace that marked out old Jags). I find myself less in need of the space than before but it's a very good all rounder, and a hybrid version makes a great deal of sense.
My worry is it's getting a little too big now. Each generation is bigger than the last and my Mk3 is just narrow enough to fit through local width restrictors. That might be a deal breaker for me and the Mk4.
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