Hi all, I'm a newbie round here, so please be gentle.

After many years of driving a company van, I will shortly be getting a company car. After much searching and asking advice, I've decided on a newish Octavia (up to 2 years old max). We haven't decided yet, or rather the accountant hasn't, whether the company will buy the car or I will get paid enough to cover finance, in my salary.

My question is which engine option to go for. We will probably be buying a caravan late this year or early next, so need to make sure the new car will be able to tow it. The options available, all diesel, are 1.6CR, 1.9PD or 2.0PD.

I understand that on paper the 1.6CR and 1.9PD have the same performance figures, but does the smaller newer engine have enough grunt to drag a caravan up hill and down dale. I am trying to avoid the 2 litre PD diesel as the emissions are rather high, so tax would be high (I have a fuel card).

Mileage, I do 15 to 20k per year, mainly A & B roads, but with a few good motorway runs occasionally.

Sorry for the rambling post but I don't know what to go for, so I thought the best thing is to ask the collective for advice.

Any diesel will be fine for towing, though the one with the highest torque figure is what I would go for. What you have to consider is what type caravan will you be looking to get. You have to consider its weight (the recommended 85% towing rule) and the nose weight of the car.

www.towcar.info is a decent site for matching cars to 'vans.....

If you wish to get information regarding towing go to caravan talk Internet site, this is not a caravan friendly zone. I tow with a 2010 Octy Elegance 2 0 lt 140 HP PD, its great, now get out of here and I will chat to you more on caravan talk.

Edited 1 March, 201115 yr by mellyboy

Hi all, I'm a newbie round here, so please be gentle.

After many years of driving a company van, I will shortly be getting a company car. After much searching and asking advice, I've decided on a newish Octavia (up to 2 years old max). We haven't decided yet, or rather the accountant hasn't, whether the company will buy the car or I will get paid enough to cover finance, in my salary.

My question is which engine option to go for. We will probably be buying a caravan late this year or early next, so need to make sure the new car will be able to tow it. The options available, all diesel, are 1.6CR, 1.9PD or 2.0PD.

I understand that on paper the 1.6CR and 1.9PD have the same performance figures, but does the smaller newer engine have enough grunt to drag a caravan up hill and down dale. I am trying to avoid the 2 litre PD diesel as the emissions are rather high, so tax would be high (I have a fuel card).

Mileage, I do 15 to 20k per year, mainly A & B roads, but with a few good motorway runs occasionally.

Sorry for the rambling post but I don't know what to go for, so I thought the best thing is to ask the collective for advice.

I have had 1.9PD and now have 2.0PD. Both very capable towers although 2.0 6th. gear not a lot of use when towing unless its pretty flat.My wife has 1.6 CR Golf-wouldn't want to tow with it -engine although same out put as 1.9PD seems flat. The 1.9 was very good because gearing seemed lower.

Edited 1 March, 201115 yr by morganic

Hi all, I'm a newbie round here, so please be gentle.

After many years of driving a company van, I will shortly be getting a company car. After much searching and asking advice, I've decided on a newish Octavia (up to 2 years old max). We haven't decided yet, or rather the accountant hasn't, whether the company will buy the car or I will get paid enough to cover finance, in my salary.

My question is which engine option to go for. We will probably be buying a caravan late this year or early next, so need to make sure the new car will be able to tow it. The options available, all diesel, are 1.6CR, 1.9PD or 2.0PD.

I understand that on paper the 1.6CR and 1.9PD have the same performance figures, but does the smaller newer engine have enough grunt to drag a caravan up hill and down dale. I am trying to avoid the 2 litre PD diesel as the emissions are rather high, so tax would be high (I have a fuel card).

Mileage, I do 15 to 20k per year, mainly A & B roads, but with a few good motorway runs occasionally.

Sorry for the rambling post but I don't know what to go for, so I thought the best thing is to ask the collective for advice.

What about the 2.0 CR ?

I have had 1.9PD and now have 2.0PD. Both very capable towers although 2.0 6th. gear not a lot of use when towing unless its pretty flat.My wife has 1.6 CR Golf-wouldn't want to tow with it -engine although same out put as 1.9PD seems flat. The 1.9 was very good because gearing seemed lower.

Is it a problem not not using 6th gear, some experienced caravanners have told me never to go in fifth with a five speed box remember the highest gear in the gear box is designed for cruising solo not with the weight of a van stuck on the back if i

should drop a cog, as long as i feel it in the appropriate gear for the prevailing condition why worry if is fifth or sixth ? I only towed briefly with this 2.0tdi from van dealers to winter storage and more than happy with it.