Legends : Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI
Let's go back in time. It was the year 2001 when Skoda entered the Indian market with its finest D-segment sedan, the OCTAVIA. The Octavia has been a long-running model for the Czech manufacturer. The first Octavia rolled out of the production line in 1959 as a two-door compact car powered by an 1100cc inline-4 engine producing a healthy 40bhp and was channelled to the rear wheel via a 4-speed gearbox. It had a top speed of 110 km/h. Skoda also launched the same car with a bigger 1200cc engine that produced 45 PS and was called the OCTAVIA SUPER.
Following the success of the Octavia, Skoda displayed their Octavia-based race and rally car, the OCTAVIA TOURING SPORT. This model produced 50 ps of power and could reach speeds up to 130 km/hr. The touring sport won its class in 1961, 1962, and 1963 as a hat trick for the manufacturer.
Fast forward to 1992, when Volkswagen acquired Skoda, the group had to join hands and co-develop a completely new car that could take the legendary name forward. The new car had to be modern and technically advanced, so the team led by Dirk van Braeckel designed the iconic notchback design of the Octavia and launched it in 1996. I don’t know why, but the team thought the 528-litre boot was not enough, so they designed and launched the Octavia Combi in 1998 with a whopping 1328-litre boot space! Like what? I could carry my whole house in the combi and still have space for some snacks! The combi was an instant success in Europe. The super practical car was then shod with an all-wheel drive system to make it the perfect all-year-round car.
The Octavia was initially launched with the 1900cc 8-valve TDI engine, which was of the ALH series. This engine produced a decent 90 PS and 210 hp, which was more than enough at the time.
The Alh series engines were basic and had very few complicated parts, which made them reliable workhorses. The engine was mated to a slick 5-speed gearbox, which delivered the power to the front wheels.
The Octavia had a solid build and felt very upmarket especially the L&K variants. It came with leather seats from the factory with a heating function. It had steering-mounted controls, automatic climate control, a small sunroof, and a brilliant-looking set of wheels. The beige interior with a dual-tone dash has aged like fine wine and still looks elegant to date.
This particular example is a base model (rider) that has been retrofitted with the L&K bumpers and has a set of after-market wheels. The car has done a mere 150000 km. I say a mere because this engine is so robust that with proper maintenance, you can easily clock 4-5 lakh kilometres, and many have already done this internationally.
This car is featured here as it is one of my favourites. I say favourite because of the feel and characteristics this car has. The steering is a hydraulic unit, which is a bit heavy, but the feedback is amazing. The engine, although underpowered, cruises on the highway like a car above its segment. The ideal cruising speed is at 100, which sits a bit above the 2000 rpm mark, which is its sweet spot. I’ve seen the MID display a fuel efficiency figure of 3.6 l/100 km (was I dreaming?)
The diesel Octavia’s suspension is a bit on the stiff side but doesn’t affect the ride quality. The car glides over smooth tarmac, and the speed-masking capabilities will make you feel safe and secure even when the enthusiastic driver is cruising at higher speeds.
A used Octavia diesel will set you back by a lakh for an okayish car and go up to 3 lakhs for a well-maintained car. While the engine is robust, the car might have some rusting issues due to its age and Indian weather. Buying one is not advisable as the car is super old now and getting spares is a task. Even if you find spares, they are very expensive. There might be better ideas than dumping all your savings into this car.
These are some of the common maintenance requirements for a 1.9 TDI Octavia, in case you decide to get one anyhow. After you purchase the vehicle, be sure to have a garage thoroughly inspect it, starting with the basic fluids and ending with the clutch. Ensure everything is in excellent condition. To ensure that you stay on top of the service schedule, replace all of the filters and fluids. Even if they seem fine, replace the timing and aux belts since if one of them fails, it might lead to more serious issues.
