ŠKODA has announced their latest addition to the Octavia range – the ‘Soleil’. The name ‘Soleil’ means sun, and is derived from the ŠKODA brands association with the internationally celebrated Cirque du Soleil circus. The ŠKODA Octavia has been a consistent best seller with 18,000 vehicles delivered to customers in the last five years and holds the position of the fourth best-selling car in Ireland over the same period. Available as a hatchback or as a Combi estate, ŠKODA are confident the new Soleil model will deliver a strong finish to the end of the year as the brand enters the top-five best-selling brands in Ireland for the first time.
Usual Strengths Retained;
The Octavia Soleil retains all the strengths of the standard Octavia with 590 litres of boot capacity (up to 1,580 litres with the rear seat backs folded) and unrivalled interior cabin spaciousness. Low fuel consumption is assured with a turbo charged line up of TSI petrol engines including the 1.0 TSI 115bhp; and the frugal 1.6 TDI 115bhp available with both manual and DSG (automatic) transmissions. The ŠKODA brand for some time has been leading the way in terms of infotainment and connectivity, with fewer buttons due to large colour touch-screen systems. The Soleil benefits from this technology with an 8” Bolero unit, with SmartLink™ featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for the ultimate connectivity to the latest mobile devices.
Instantly Recognisable;
The Soleil builds on the Octavia’s already generous specification levels with LED headlights with AFS and headlight washers, half leather interior, heated seats, darkened rear SunSet glass and ŠKODA Care Connect all featuring as a package for the first time in the Octavia. From the exterior the Soleil is instantly recognisable from the Soleil plaque located on the front fenders, and the 16” Velorum alloy wheels that are unique to the Octavia Soleil.
Test Car;
My test car was an Octavia Soleil 1.6TDI DSG finished in striking Candy White paintwork, with contrasting rear privacy glass for maximum impact. The Octavia Soleil possesses a distinctive and confident look that stands out from the crowd, while exemplary safety features helped the ŠKODA Octavia to achieve a maximum 5-star NCAP safety rating for ultimate driving confidence. Thanks to an impressive wheelbase of 2,686mm, occupants of the Octavia will never feel cramped in terms of leg, head or shoulder room, with the rear seats capable of accomodating up to 3 full-size adults with ease.
On The Road;
Behind the wheel of the Octavia is where keen drivers will really appreciate just how good the car is. Overall refinement and handling characteristics are excellent, while body roll is kept to a minimum through corners, thereby making the Octavia as comfortable to drive on a twisty back road, as it is on a motorway. Capable of a top speed of 203km/h (where permitted), the 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine can exploit its 115bhp to allow the car to sprint from 0-100km/h in 10.4-seconds. Under strict new WLTP testing proceedures, fuel consumption as low as 4.8l/100km can be achieved on a combined driving cycle, while a low emissions figure of 107g/km translates into annual road tax of just €190. Impressive fuel economy has always been one of the Octavia diesel’s strengths, but when combined with excellent driving dynamics, class-leading cabin and boot space, and generous equipment levels, it is easy to see how the Octavia has been such a huge sales success for the ŠKODA brand in Ireland.
Pricing & Verdict;
With the ŠKODA Octavia Soleil priced from just €24,700, it really does represent outstanding value for money motoring, and with the Octavia having been recently voted one of the ‘least depreciating cars in Ireland’, it is a car that can be bought with the head, and the heart.
Fact Box;
1) Limited Edition Model
2) Outstanding Spaciousness
3) Petrol & Diesel Engines
4) Manual or Automatic (DSG)
5) Priced From €24,700 (ex-works)
