The Škoda Octavia, as the best-selling model of the Mladá Boleslav brand, appeals to a wide range of customers also thanks to various derivatives. Since 2007, the Octavia Scout variant has also been a part of the offer for clients looking for a leisure car that can also manage driving off paved roads. Now comes its latest generation.
The Scout model was first built on the foundations of the second generation of the modern Octavia, now its third generation is coming. It is successful mainly in markets where all-wheel drive cars are popular. It sells great both in the Czech Republic and in Switzerland, Great Britain, Germany and Sweden, which are among its largest markets. At the same time, 8,000 to 9,000 pieces of the Octavia Scout are produced annually, which is a production that the carmaker would like to continue to maintain.
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Proven recipe
Thanks to the successes so far, the recipe actually remains the same. The new Octavia Scout has a robust, plastic-coated body and a raised chassis, while offering only selected, rather powerful engines.
Specifically, we have specifically shaped bumpers at both ends of the body, while their lower part is again in a matt silver color and the standard diode fog lamps are not missing in front. However, the edges of the fenders, sills or lower part of the door are also plastic-coated, which also protects the body from damage. The roof rails, in an aluminum design, settled on the roof to match the silver parts in the bumpers. The wheels are 18-inch as standard, but you can also buy an inch larger for an additional fee.
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The chassis is increased by 15 mm by a standard package for bad roads, also available for standard car variants. The clear height is 163 mm, which is still enough for driving on a dirt road than for some major off-road games.
I won’t lie to you, the appearance of the new Scout didn’t inspire me so much in the first photos, but live, the car looks dude and elegant. The Scout is thus further proof that it suits the Octavia primarily mainly in higher specifications.
Premium elements
Sitting inside then confirms that the Scout in a way plays the role of a luxury model in the Octavia offer. This applies not only to the functional equipment, which includes adaptive cruise control, electrically operated boot lid with non-contact control, heated steering wheel, navigation with 10 “screen or center airbag, but also detail in the form of a luxurious quilted dashboard. wooden design, of which I am not personally a fan, but I believe that it will attract a certain clientele.
Otherwise, it’s the Octavia as we know it. The seats will please with their side guidance and the overall comfort provided, and the two-spoke steering wheel also catches the eye. The interior space is also rich, at the back with my height of 185 cm, for example, I have enough space left even after the driver’s electrically operated seat moves backwards for easier getting off.
However, the control of the on-board computer is not intuitive or logical, but we already know from previous tests. As well as the fact that the plus of the Octavia, for example, against the Golf is the preservation of several conventional controls for direct access to selected menu items. To switch off stop-start, however, you must first call up the control system settings with the button and then switch it off. In the same way, the lane keeping is switched on after each start-up, which is switched off again via a button on the steering wheel.
With us only with an ATV
The domestic range of engines includes three motorizations, all of which will be paired with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard. The vending machine plays a leading role in Scout sales, accounting for 73% of its predecessor globally, so it will be the only choice in the Czech Republic. The ATV is supposed to be a competitive advantage over the equally designed Ford Focus Active and Toyota Corolla Trek models, which are available exclusively as two-wheelers.
This is a new (according to the carmaker sixth) generation of all-wheel drive. It features a new generation of electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, which is almost 0.8 kg lighter than the previous generation clutch. The plus is higher efficiency, which has the effect of reducing fuel consumption. This has been achieved by using low viscosity oil, reducing bearing preload or improving internal lubrication. The control unit is then integrated directly into the system for faster reactions, while the rear axle drive connects predictively, not after the front wheels have slipped. The system can then completely disconnect the electric motor driving the oil pump, thanks to which the ATV is really functional only when needed.
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As for the units themselves, there will be a choice between a petrol 2.0 TSI (140 kW) and two versions of the 2.0 TDI turbodiesel with 110 kW and 147 kW. So far, only the stronger of the TDI knows the Czech award, also available for the Octavia RS. You can buy a scout with it for 926,900 crowns, which is 68,000 crowns less than in the case of the eres. Currently, the 2.0 TDI (147 kW) is the only engine in the new Octavia that is available with all-wheel drive.
This is the latest evolution of the well-known two-liter with the internal designation EA288 evo, which works with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission DQ381-7A. However, the top variant with 147 kW and 400 Nm differs from the weaker derivatives by an aluminum block, as well as by aluminum pistons with a set of piston rings with optimized friction. Other connecting rods and thicker connecting rod pins with a diameter of 54 instead of 48 mm are also used here. The turbocharger is then liquid-cooled for more balanced cooling.
Riding with this engine has proved to be an undoubted choice for the Scout. It impresses with its easy pull, which starts at some 1500 rpm, as well as careful soundproofing. There was no room for more detailed measurements of consumption during the first journeys, the chosen circuit around Mladá Boleslav combining the district road with a short section off the road was managed by the car at a brisk pace with an average of 8.5 l / 100 km. But it speaks more of a faster ride than a thirsty engine.
Comfortable cheerleader
The alignment with the machine also deserves praise. DSG ranks absolutely smoothly, until you often don’t even notice it. After all, the only complaint is the slower reaction to the manual command with the lever under the steering wheel, which will only partially improve the switch to sports mode.
The ride itself is then very comfortable. We tested the Scout with an adaptive chassis, which shows a more swinging character in Comfort mode. The chassis then doesn’t slam on the 18-inch wheels, but you’ll still get a certain clap from the rear axle on uneven ground.
As a derivative for driving off paved roads, the Scout also has an Offroad mode that adapts the settings of selected car systems for this need. The characteristic of the accelerator pedal is thus flatter, the machine then maintains a higher speed for more vigor. The seat belt pretensioners are then switched off, while the downhill assistant can be activated, which keeps the speed on steep descents. However, the car is still limited by a ground clearance of 163 mm, which is not special as a result, so the Scout continues to be used primarily for driving on field roads or in deeper snow. Incidentally, the approach angles are 15.8 ° at the front and 13.9 ° at the rear, respectively, and the transition angles are 19.7 °.
Actually the same
The Škoda Octavia Scout has been an interesting alternative to the standard variants of this model for many years. Don’t expect any revolution from the new generation, the basic character of the car with a raised chassis and a plastic-coated body remains. If Scout suits you so far, you will like it now. However, it is still intended for those who drive off paved roads, but it is enough for them that such a car travels as much as possible on a forest or field road. In more demanding terrain, the clear height becomes the limit. In any case, the Scout is a comfortable car on the road, which will also impress with its powerful 2.0 TDI (147 kW) turbodiesel.
Did you know that …
…The first Scout arrived in 2007 and during its existence, 53,627 copies were created?
…second generation Octavia Scout followed in 2014 and its production reached 55,353 pieces?
… five-sixth of sales at its predecessor were diesel engines? For the upcoming generation, however, the carmaker would like to increase the share of petrol engines by a third.
… the vast majority of sales are estimated to be all-wheel drive versions? Even so, this time a variant with single-axle drive will be created, but it will not be offered on the Czech market.
… Scouta’s competitors include not only Ford Focus Active and Toyota Corollu Trek, but also Subaru Outback?
… in Scout and RS the center airbag debuts in Octavia? It is located in the right part of the driver’s seat and protects the front crew in the event of a side impact. For other derivatives, it will be offered at an additional cost.
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