New Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI, 1.4 TSI manual review, test drive

In addition to the 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TDI DSG Octavias we tested earlier, Skoda is also offering a 1.4-litre TSI (similar to the one in the VW Jetta) and the 2.0 TDI with a manual gearbox. These two will no doubt be the popular ones in the line-up, especially as they will be priced lower. We drove both from Chandigarh to Shimla.

 

The 1.4-litre direct-injection, turbo-petrol motor makes 138bhp and 25.5kgm of torque, which is a sight more than the 120bhp a Jetta 1.4 TSI makes. This extra power makes a big difference to the way the Octavia performs. 

 

For starters, the idle seems a lot quieter than what we remember in the Jetta and, like the VW, there is some lag, especially below 2,000rpm, which did make it irritating to drive on the hilly roads around Shimla. Frequent gearshifts are the norm here. However, get past the lag and you will discover noticeably meatier performance (especially in the mid-range) than what you get in the Jetta. It is quite a rev-happy engine and will spin eagerly to 6,500rpm, but then again it isn’t as smooth or as quiet as the more sophisticated 1.8 TSI. The 1.4 TSI will be available only with a six-speed manual gearbox and that, with its light throws and positive clutch action, will encourage you to row through the gears and make the most of the engine if you are in the mood for it. Continued..