bhp: 2009 Škoda Octavia Mk2 in Singapore – great car with absolute rubbish pricing

After a long overdue wait and much anticipation, the latest Škodas have made it to the shores of Singapore! So for Škoda fans, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for… or maybe not. Mind you, there are various improvements to the 2009 Octavia Mk2 which was based on the best-selling model in Volkswagen’s line-up, the VW Golf Mk5.

The Octavia Mk2 was introduced in 2004. The latest models that were introduced into the local market is the ‘Facelifted’ 2009 Octavia Mk2. Most changes were to accessories and fittings but more notably, would be new engine options found in the VW’s warehouse and their latest models. Specifications wise, the things that would stand out to the common observer would be new front grilles, a colour screen on the dashboard and… actually, nothing else. Of course, there’s the headlights, some external trims, internal and other stuff which wouldn’t stand out. In short, the facelifted model could easily be mistaken for the original Mk2; until you lift up the hood.

The  2009 Octavia Mk2 is available in 2 models; the Sedan and the Combi (which would otherwise be known as a stationwagon or estate model). Both models are available in 2 engine variants. The 1.4 TSI and the 2.0 TSI. These are obviously the same engines lifted off the VW Golf. So what is a Golf engine doing in a full sized sedan? Well, the Octavia is based on the Golf’s platform (which is a hatchback) and isn’t a full sized sedan to be exact. It really is a stretched hatchback with that extra boot space.

Back to the engines, the 1.4 TSI delivers 122bhp which is what you get in a VW Golf Mk6 (meaning the latest Golf). The 2.0 TSI engine is available in the Octavia VRS and delivers 200bhp; again what you get in a VW Golf GTI Mk6 (also the latest Golf GTI). For fans of VW engineering who love the Golfs but wish for a larger boot space (almost 600 litres worth), this is something to cheer about. You get the same engines but more backend space if you can live with a slightly slower pick up to 100km/h. I know I could live with that. To top all that off, a 7-speed DSG and 6-speed DSG is available in the 1.4 and 2.0 variants respectively. For noobs, the DSG gearbox is VW’s answer to a semi-automatic double clutch gear box. Instead of leaving your stick in ‘D’ on an automatic and sacrificing power when you need it for fuel economy, or selecting gears on a manual stick shift in city traffic, the DSG gearbox ensures minimum fuss in gear selection for better fuel economy and power on demand with paddle shifters.

Fifth Gear – 6-speed manual gearbox vs. 6-speed DSG on an Audi TT

So all cool and great with the new 2009 Octavia Mk2, until you consider the pricing that is. Audi, SEAT and Škoda are all subsidaries of the Volkswagen Group. Except for Audi which focuses on producing higher-end executive and sportier versions which will obviously cost more, SEAT and Skoda especially have been long favourites in the UK and USA for the same reliable German engineering at a more affordable price compared to the traditional VW. With no SEAT distributor available in Singapore since about 2 years ago, Škoda is the obvious choice for drivers who want to save a little, or is it not?

The VW Golf Mk6 1.4 TSI DSG had a launch price of 74,800 (with COE) when it was first introduced in April 2009. The Škoda Octavia Mk2 with the exact same engine and transmission was released end of August 2009 with a launch price of 86,800 and 88,800 for the Octavia Combi. Let’s look at the pricing again.

• VW Golf 1.4 TSI DSG: $74,800 (launch price)
• VW Golf 1.4 TSI DSG: $89,800 (last revised price)
• Škoda Octavia 1.4 TSI DSG: $86,800 (launch price)
• Škoda Octavia Combi 1.4 TSI DSG: 88,800 (launch price)

In comparision, the VRS (Škoda’s emblem for it’s sportiest versions i.e. VW’s GTI) of the Octavia does much better in the pricing department.

• VW Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG: $134,300 (5dr version last revised price)
• Škoda Octavia VRS 2.0 TSI DSG: $109,800 (launch price)
• Škoda Octavia Combi VRS 2.0 TSI DSG: $111,800 (launch price)

On the Octavia 1.4 TSI you get a larger boot for $12,000 more. Add an additional $2,000 to that and you get a boot with raise height clearance. It seems that Harvest Automobile is pricing the 1.4 TSI version against the current VW Golf’s pricing instead on the original launch price which is rubbish. I’m sure the the guys on the showroom floor are gonna tell me, for 1,000 less, I can get a Škoda Combi (estate) vs. a VW Golf (hatchback). For those who did know about German technology:

• Audi cars = rich man’s VW
• VW cars = typical man’s VW
• SEAT / Škoda = poor man’s VW

Unless you are intending to fork out an additional $20k – $25k for  the VRS 2.0 TSI versions and pay more road tax, getting a new Škoda Octavia today isn’t going to make as much sense as it should anywhere else in the world. The current price of the Octavia Combi 1.4 TSI is at $92,800, up $4k from launch price. Which is of course absolute rubbish. Until the blokes at Harvest take a hard look at the pricing again, I doubt sales are going to rocket through the roof. Other than that, it’s a great car other than the SEAT Exeo.

Škoda Auto – 2009 Škoda Octavia Facelift

This entry was posted on Friday, September 11th, 2009 at 11:53 and is filed under automobiles, videos and tagged with colour screen, engine options, front grilles, golf mk5, golfs, mk2, octavia vrs, s line, stationwagon, vw golf gti. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.