Skoda updates Octavia with 1.0-litre engine

SKODA has announced that it will add a new three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine to its refreshed Octavia mid-size range, but the small-capacity powertrain is unlikely to make it to the Australian line-up.

Replacing the 1.2-litre four-potter used in European-spec cars and set to sit below the 1.4-litre 103TSI engine – the smallest engine used in Skoda Australia’ s range – the diminutive three-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor, known as the 1.0 TSI, will offer improved fuel economy and comparable performance, as well as Euro 6 emissions compliance.

It produces 85kW and 200Nm of torque between 2000 and 3500rpm, versus the 1.4’s 103kW and 250Nm.

Skoda Australia officials were non-committal about the likelihood of the smaller engine making it to Australia under the bonnet of the mid-sized Octavia.

“I don’t believe we have any plans around it at the moment,” said Volkswagen Group Australia’s new general manager of corporate communications Paul Pottinger.

“The local (customer) mindset is still married to capacity.” Built around an aluminium crankshaft and equipped with alloy pistons, direct injection and an integrated exhaust manifold/cylinder head, the 1.0 TSI weighs just 78kg.

The turbocharger’s intercooler is also integrated directly into the induction tract, shortening the distance the cooled charge boost needs to travel and thereby improving boost pressure and decreasing turbo lag.

The 103TSI engine uses 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle in the DSG dual-clutch-equipped Octavia, while the 1.0 TSI is rated at 4.5L/100km in the same configuration. CO2 emissions are also reduced with the smaller motor, with 103 grams per kilometre a 16g improvement over the 1.4-litre.

The 1.0 TSI can propel the Octavia from 0-100km/h in 10 seconds flat, and will top out at 202km/h. The larger engine is 1.5 seconds faster to 100km/h and will run onto 212km/h in DSG form.

When backed by a six-speed manual gearbox, the 1.0 TSI is 0.1s better in the 0-100km/h dash and emits 2g of CO2 less per kilometre.

An optional aero kit that includes lower rolling-resistance tyres, active air flaps, a lower ride height for less drag and a roof or tailgate spoiler can further improve fuel economy by 0.1 L/100km.

Other changes to Octavia range will be the adoption of Active Chassis Control (ACC) on models making more than 110kW the system is already in use on the performance Octavia RS variants in Australia.

The system, which allows for different driving modes to be selected according to the prevailing conditions, adjusts parameters for steering, braking, damping, gearing and throttle.

It also adds to the car’s active safety suite ACC automatically switches from Comfort mode to Sport mode in hazardous situations providing higher stability, better tyre grip and shorter braking distances in an emergency.

New allergen filters, a rear camera washer and iPad mounts for the rear of the front seat head rests are also set to debut.

An optional Skoda Phonebox will also wirelessly connect a smartphone to the car’ s antenna, as well as charging compatible phones via induction.