Wasn’t there a hybrid Octavia before?
There was, but that was an ‘iV’ plug-in hybrid, and that’s not on sale anymore. The new Octavia hybrid doesn’t bother with a plug, so can be thought of as a simpler, more straightforward hybrid. With swelling diesel prices, it might be a useful alternative for many buyers of what remains a massively popular car.
What kind of engine does this Octavia have?
The new hybrid engine is based around the existing turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol unit, and it will come in two versions with either 136hp or 170hp.
The system uses two electric motors — a 110kW generator and a 125kW traction motor, both powered by a 1.6kWh NMC battery and a new ‘TQ250’ single-speed automatic transmission.
What? No DSG auto?
Not this time. The Skoda Octavia hybrid is designed to work as either a series or a parallel hybrid. In series mode, the electric motor does all the driving, while the 1.5-litre engine is just there to act as a generator and keep the battery topped up.
It can switch to parallel mode, though, at speeds above 60km/h, at which point the petrol engine becomes connected to the front wheels through a clutch. The system can then juggle petrol and electric power as needed.
What about fuel economy and emissions?
Skoda isn’t quoting any official figures yet, but to be competitive with the likes of the Toyota Corolla, the Octavia will have to be close to 4.5 litres per 100km and 99g/km on the WLTP test.
Anything else we should know?
There’s a high-speed coasting feature, such as when you’re on a long downward slope, where the engine can switch off to save a little bit of fuel.
There’s also a Sport mode, which pre-sets a stronger level of brake energy recovery when you lift off the throttle.
How will I spot a new Octavia hybrid from the outside?
The Octavia hybrid will get a ‘Hybrid’ badge on the boot, and those with sharper eyes might spot a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Does the hybrid hardware eat into boot space?
Yes, it does and by quite a bit. The standard Octavia’s adjustable boot floor is dispensed with, as the battery now lives under there and that cuts boot space in the hatchback to 460 litres, and in the Combi estate to 485 litres, down from more than 600 litres.
Will that loss of space be a deal-breaker for Octavia buyers? We’ll find out when the Octavia hybrid arrives in Ireland late next year.
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