Test drive Skoda Octavia Scout: a step forward
Skoda has returned to a specific and sparsely populated station wagon segment with increased ground clearance. The Octavia Scout is based on a wagon version with a dual transmission.
In fact, the Czech model looks less like cars with the addition of Cross in the name than like a not so distant relative of the Allroad from Ingolstadt. Here, the manufacturer did not limit himself to placing additional plastic exterior parts on the body of the Octavia, as, for example, in the case of the Cross-Golf. Like his colleagues at Audi, the Czechs equipped their car with something much more important - a high-tech and efficient all-wheel drive system.
Otherwise, the increase in ground clearance compared to the version with poor road suspension is equivalent to a relatively modest twelve millimeters.
Off-road driving is a pleasure with this car
The decorative protective covers in the front and rear of the car underbody, when carefully installed, reveal the essence of the plastic elements, but this does not mean that they do not fulfill their real purpose: when you start to hear unpleasant scratching sounds through them, then it is time to stop your attempts to get away from the road. Of course, with 180 millimeters of ground clearance for classic off-road adventures, it is child's play for the Octavia Scout to overcome rough forest roads even in mud or snow.
The Haldex all-wheel drive system reacts quickly to the loss of traction in the front wheels and transfers the required torque to the rear axle in a timely manner. In particular, the 225/50 R 17 Pirelli tires fitted to the test car provide excellent performance on hard surfaces and give the car another dose of sportiness.
New Generation Urban Cowboy
On tarmac, the machine is agile and extremely stable, cornering lateral tilt is minimal regardless of the higher center of gravity, and the steering system operates with excellent precision. The switchable electronic stability system works reliably and almost imperceptibly, and in border mode there is very little tendency to understeer.
Buyers of the model can choose between the 140 hp 2.0-liter TDI engine. from. or petrol 150 FSI with XNUMX hp. Both engines are available in conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission with pleasantly light and precise shifting. Of course, it should come as no surprise that the diesel version is the best choice of the two.
Text: Eberhard Kitler
Photo: Skoda
2020-08-29
