DavidY

They also have this story which has much of the same information in a handy list, although this one is from March so is a bit older https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/skoda-les-futurs-modeles-jusqu-en-2026-30024033.html

Must admit I don't know much about the French "L'Argus", but I'm assuming this is a legit scoop... https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/fabia-octavia-kodiaq-comment-skoda-va-faire-durer-ses-modeles-thermiques-30035667.html Sadly I don't speak much French so I'm relying on Chrome Translate's version: Fabia, Octavia, Kodiaq... how Skoda will make its thermal models last EXCLUSIVE. While continuing to develop an electric range, Skoda will make its thermal models last longer than expected. From the Fabia to the Kodiaq and the Octavia, L'argus reveals how long they will last and the developments that await them. By MaxK Published on 29/08/2024 - 12:37 There are many turmoil currently shaking up the automotive industry, particularly in the EU. Manufacturers must invest massively in electric vehicles in view of the ban on new thermal vehicles scheduled for 2035, but "zero emission" models are expensive and demand for them is stagnating, hence the need for mainstream brands to keep affordable thermal vehicles in their catalogue. The initial draft of the Euro 7 standard would have put an end to these in 2025, imposing pollution control systems that were too expensive for small cars at the end of their life. However, it has been relaxed and its entry into force is now looming for 2027. According to our information, thanks to this reprieve, Skoda will keep its thermal models around for longer than expected while developing a complete electric range. Three-year reprieve for Fabia, Kamiq and Karoq The current Skoda Kamiq and Fabia with MQB-A0 platform were launched in 2017 and 2021 respectively. They would have been condemned by the old Euro 7 project, which made it difficult to make the investments necessary to adapt them to the GSR 2 regulations (new safety equipment in July 2024) and CAFE (new CO2 averages for the ranges in January 2025). They could therefore have bowed out this year, but the new Euro 7 text has pushed Skoda to update them to extend their career. Volkswagen and Seat are doing the same with the Polo, Ibiza and Arona which share the same architecture as the small Skodas. The latter will leave the market at the end of 2027, and will give way to the small electric SUV Epiq which will have been launched in early 2026. We have not obtained details concerning the compact Scala, which also uses the MQB-A0 platform and could therefore disappear at the same time. The Karoq will also be withdrawn from the catalog at the end of 2027. This MQB platform SUV will be replaced by the electric Elroq which will have been marketed at the beginning of 2025. Octavia, Superb and Kodiaq make the resistance The largest models in the Skoda catalog, which are also the most expensive and therefore the most margin-generating, will be subject to greater investments than city vehicles in order to last longer. They are built around the MQB Evo platform, but will not be entitled to the classic hybrid engines (HEV) announced at Volkswagen for the same technical base. The current Octavia, launched in 2020 and restyled in 2024, could be offered again as a plug-in hybrid in 2026, with more than 100 km of electric range like the latest models of the kind within the Volkswagen group. This will depend on market conditions and the budgetary decisions of the German parent company. In 2027, it will receive a new update, at the same time as the classic mid-career update of the Superb and Kodiaq marketed last spring. According to our sources, Skoda is even considering offering a third and final facelift to this Octavia in 2031. Production of the Octavia, Superb and Kodiaq will cease in 2033. The former will be replaced by an electric raised estate developed under the name X Combi (launching in 2028), the latter by a large electric SUV internally named Space BEV (launching in 2026). No new-generation combustion-engined Skodas will be launched by then, meaning the brand will become 100% electric in 2033.

For those who have been waiting for this. Looks like prices start from £38,670 for the hatch or £39,775 for the estate. https://cc.skoda-auto.com/gbr/en-GB

I forgot to mention what might be the biggest difference - the new PHEVs use the 1.5TSI engines whereas the older ones used a 1.4.

The latest PHEV powertrains in VW Group cars (Superb/ Kodiaq/ Golf / Leon etc) seem to be a significant change over the Superb Mk3 and pre-FL Octavias. They all have recently announced PHEVs which promise at least 100km range, faster charging (50kW at a rapid charger and I believe faster rates at home on AC too). According to the configurator when I tried one just now, the Superb has a claimed 83 miles WLTP combined range - while those WLTP ranges always seem optimistic it's a fair bit more than the old powertrains. So I don't think the older Superb/Octavia PHEVs will necessarily be a good guide, and while that powertrain is going into a few VW models, I also suspect there aren't many on the UK roads yet.

Ah yes - found it here for anyone else who is interested (not sure how to direct-link to the comment but it's an answer to a question on the VRS as you say). https://www.facebook.com/Skoda.uk/videos/343294905281538 I also don't think they've publicly announced PHEV versions anywhere, and it seems unlikely they'd announce it in response to a random FB comment, so suspect whoever looks after that Facebook page found the wrong item from 2020. That said - I'm sure a lot of people have asked Skoda about when there will be a PHEV FL Octavia, and clearly they have the technology on that platform (Cupra Leon equivalents are available to order from the end of this month for instance), so it wouldn't surprise me if one is coming. But it won't happen on Tuesday 3 November 2024.

VW group have announced several PHEVs with better charging (50kW on fast chargers, and I think at least 7kW charge at home) and they all do indeed have bigger batteries for which they claim at least 62 miles (100km) in range. This includes Superb, Kodiaq, Golf, Cupra Leon etc. But no word yet on whether they will put that system in an Octavia - I think it would make sense if they did though.

Unfortunately I think that is an old response, referring to the launch of the original (non-FL) Octavia iV on 3 November 2020. For one thing, 3 November isn't a Tuesday in 2024... See this article from October 2020 which confirms that date in 2020. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/octavia/104231/plug-hybrid-skoda-octavia-iv-set-uk-launch-next-month

I'm also interested to know what the source of the rumour was on the IV version. But also see this from Skoda's social media today, about the petrol version. No guarantee on what might come to the UK of course. https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/press-releases/when-driving-fun-meets-comfort-rally-ace-oliver-solberg-tests-the-skoda-octavia-rs/?utm_source=x

I'm pretty sure it was the Silica (or whatever is the correct technical name) bag which split and then gummed up the heater matrix. The water pump failed at around the same time - I'm not sure whether that was the cause but I imagine it's linked. Mine is a early Mk3 Octavia diesel and there's a pinned thread on water pump failures. The dealer did replace the heater matrix and, although it was out of warranty by then, I think they did get a contribution from Skoda. What was not so smart is that in the process they then replaced the coolant bottle with another "mit silicat" coolant bottle. Guess how well my heater works right now...?

The UK Skoda brochures page has updated brochures for the Kodiaq and Superb, which include the PHEV models. When you open the documents they both say "April" on the front page, but if you download them, the file names say June. (And I'm pretty sure these versions have only recently appeared on that Brochures page.) This fits with the PHEVs appearing in the configurator back in April but then disappearing again after only a few days - looks like they were planned to be out earlier but then pulled for some reason?

The UK Skoda brochures page has updated brochures for the Kodiaq and Superb, which include the PHEV models. When you open the documents they both say "April" on the front page, but if you download them, the file names say June. (And I'm pretty sure these versions have only recently appeared on that Brochures page.) This fits with the PHEVs appearing in the configurator back in April but then disappearing again after only a few days - looks like they were planned to be out earlier but then pulled for some reason?

As well as the Kodiaqs, the Configurator also has Superb PHEVs again. They appeared briefly a few weeks ago but were then pulled.

The PHEV Superbs and Kodiaqs are back in the UK Configurator. I wonder how long they will last this time...? Superb SE Technology iV estate is now £41,465

The May 2024 brochure says the (presumably facelifted ) vRS hatch is "Coming soon".

Yes I noticed the other day there are some Enyaq 80s looking really cheap - AutoTrader has one with delivery mileage for sub-£30K, and some others not much more. I've been considering what to get to replace my Octavia (over 10 years old now) and was thinking about waiting for an updated version (Enyaq 85) or even one of the new PHEVs - especially if they did an Octavia Estate PHEV. I'm also not sure what you lose between a new 85 and an old 80 But a £30K price tag is a little bit tempting...

Just watched this old video. They said it's a "Myth" that driving style can impact economy but then they fail to test driving style, as they've apparently been driving in convoy and presumably accelerating / braking together. (I'm pretty sure that driving style would make a difference.) Also, in the so-called "identical" cars, one has a rear wiper and the other doesn't - which is surely going to impact aerodynamics if you're heading up a motorway on a long journey. And doesn't bode well that they failed to notice it. (Also not sure you've ever been able to buy a Coupe Enyaq with a rear wiper in the UK? So maybe it was some sort of press car?) So I don't think it's a very credible video - not a YouTube channel I'll be subscribing to...

I saw another video where you could just about spot it when they opened the boot, although it wasn't mentioned. Electric cars lean on every aero trick they can to eke out range from limited batteries, so from that point of view it makes sense to hide the wiper away from the airflow under the spoiler. It looks awkward for maintenance though. Also one thing I do on a frosty morning is manually prise the wiper blades away from the windows, in case they are iced on - it looks like that would be tricky in this setup.

It baffles me why Skoda don't put these on their main Brochures page... but here is a new version of the Octavia brochure, dated 8 May 2024 (curiously that's 2 days in the future as I write this): https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/0bcfc2d5-654f-49b2-a524-91e141293e36 I found it on this page: https://www.skoda.co.uk/new-cars/octavia/estate-se-technology

That's interesting as all the marketing seems to consistently use the 100km (which I guess is 62 miles?) figure. Although to be fair this one says "more than 100km", but 77 miles is a lot better than that, not just a rounding error or similar. https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/press-kits/skoda-superb-combi-driving-experience-press-kit/powertrains-six-efficient-engines-debut-of-mild-hybrid-tech-improved-plug-in-hybrid-with-over-100-km-of-electric-range/

It does seem that Volkswagen are rolling out a new standard PHEV system across lots of cars (I think the Golf, Leon, Superb, Passat, Kodiaq and surely some others I've missed). They all seem to have 1.5TSI, 100km claimed range (which is interesting as presumably you need a bigger battery in a Kodiaq than a Leon to achieve that, but it's the claimed range which is the constant factor) DC charging at 50kW AC charging on a home charger at up to 11kW

Although by this morning they seem to have disappeared from the configurator! I imagine they'll be back sooner or later.

... and now the PHEVs have gone from the configurator! Same for the Superb PHEVs which actually had prices unlike the Kodiaqs.

When the Mk4 FL Octavia was launched (apparently with no PHEV option, even though other VAG models on the same platform will get the new 100km range PHEV) I saw an interview with a senior Skoda exec. In it he was saying they don't get much profit from PHEVs. So I wonder how many models will get that option? That said, clearly VAG have invested effort into developing a much better PHEV setup compared to the previous generation IVs in Octavias and Superbs. As well as better range, the new ones all seem to have fast charging, and the 100km range claim seems universal (even though presumably they all have slightly different battery sizes to achieve that). For me (wrong sub-forum I know) I'd buy an Octavia estate if they put the new PHEV platform into it - it would work well for me. I'm even looking at things like the Leon estate where they just announced a facelift and it looks like that might get the PHEV. I would prefer a Skoda though. (The Superb looks good but is a bit too long for where I'd need to park.)

Looks like they are about to add one of the PHEV models too. (Ostensibly it's there for the SE, but at time of writing it doesn't show a price.)