This week

There are still no plans for a Superb Combi, which still seems like a mistake to me. It's a market missed.

Yup, had several people informing with me about the existence of a Superb estate as a viable and cheaper alternative to their Passats, A4s, Mondeos, Lagunas, you name it.

Only a couple of days ago my brother-in-law was seriously interested in swapping his Laguna estate for a Superb - if only it wasn't a limo.

I countered that by stating that having a saloon didn't hamper me at all while being the father of a recently born child, but he wasn't convinced. Also, he regards the Octavia estate a step back from his Laguna...

Originally posted by Patrick in this post

The Fabia doesn

The new model will be launched in Geneva next year. The current model will stay in production until end 2005. It

Between the Fabia and Octavia? On which platform?

I'd say there was more room for a Skoda "Lupo/Arosa".

Anyway, this new information is more confusing than clarifying.

That's what I thought and had completely discarded it. Yet the "not too clear for me" post brought it forward....

I think all the post is saying is that the current Octavia will go on to 2005 and be phased out as the Felicia was to the Fabia, in that they will both be produced side by side and still sold up to a point. But I agree very confusing. Maybe somethng is lost in the translation from a Czech magazine!

Originally posted by FabiaTDi in this post

I'll second that!

Yes the Fabia is still looking remarkably Fresh for a model that was launched 4 years ago! I think that Skoda's designers deserve a big pat on the back!

Originally posted by flyingscot in this post

I think all the post is saying is that the current Octavia will go on to 2005 and be phased out as the Felicia was to the Fabia, in that they will both be produced side by side and still sold up to a point. But I agree very confusing. Maybe somethng is lost in the translation from a Czech magazine!

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Colin.

So the current Octavia will be built into 2005.

The Octavia II based on the Golf 5 platform will be launched in Geneva in 2004 but could be called Felicia instead to distinguish between the two. (Would be a daft and rather sissy name for such a big car IMHO, but there you are.)

Which would mean that otheos' dealer is half right. As the new car will be slightly bigger, the current Octavia will fall between the Fabia and the new car...

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

So the current Octavia will be built into 2005.

Which reminds me, with the two cars being built concurrently for almost two years that spells out a certain-death scenario for the current Octavia's residual value in case the new model is called Octavia too, with the current model renamed to Octavia Classic or something of the kind, and sold at bargain prices while it is phased out.

Very bad news if that would be the case. I think my company would want it to be called Felicia or whatever very much!

Unless you start modding it like hell and keep on driving it until the essential bits start falling off. Residual value will be the last thing on the minds of Jon, Paul, Des and the likes...

Dutch I think you are right, I think it is death for residuals if you call it an Octavia and run it side by side. I think you are better calling it a new name like the Fabia/Felicia think which kept the Felicia's residuals solid. I think a new name is best as Vauxhall wish they had changed the Vectra's name, (mind you the suggestion Vectrum isn't much better) and the Laguna is having problems hense it's facelift so recently after it launch (3 years). Calling it Octavia Classic and the new model Octavia only suggests problems to me as Classic is the bottom spec level so maybe just picking a new name would be best for the Octavia II. Mind you if you say you own a 1.4 16v car which only comes in classic spec that isn't a problem now is it.... :p

Hey - my Czech is more or less fluent. The article only said Kulhanek liked the name Felicia - as far as I know there is a zero percent chance of it being used.

The new car should be built on the PQ35 platform with the wheelbase extended from the current 2512 to 2578mm. This won't be at the expense of the boot because the new model will be longer by the same amount - 4.57m overall.

Hope this clears up any confusion.

Regards

Patrick

1.8T 4x4 L&K Combi

Of course the fabia still looks fresh, it was the work of luc donckerwolcke - who has just done the new Lambo Gallardo - which is one of the sweetest lookest lambo's since the Countach in my opinion.

Incidentally, reading a review (CAR, if anyone is interested) of the gallardo, they talk about the fact it has a proper limited slip diff at the rear, but uses "ABD" at the front - a high tech solution that utilises the ABS to brake one wheel to simulate a locking diff if it feels neccesary.

Hmm... ABD... EBD... ABD... EBD... Sounds familiar!

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

Of course the fabia still looks fresh, it was the work of luc donckerwolcke

Wasn't he also the chap who designed the Bentley GT coupe?

Rob.

and the octavia MKII, and the superb, and finished the Murkylager off too....

Rapidly becoming my fave designer of the moment...

Wasn't Dirk van Braeckel the designer of the Fabia as well as the new Bentley GT?

This 36 years old, Belgian designer, was raised in Peru, where his father was working as a diplomat, he first got an engineering degree before he successfully followed a degree in design.

He ended up at Peugeot and a year later, during 1992 he joined Audi AG, where he designed the stunning A4 Avant, after that he was responsible for the new designs at Skoda, where the Fabia and Octavia were drawn by him

Taken from http://www.lambocars.com/framed/murcielago/mur.htm

Could be wrong of course.

Dirk van Braeckel definately did the Bentley GT

Hmm - we could be both right -

http://www.flanders.be/public/flanders/lifestyle/magazine/pdf/FL5713UK.PDF

That article describes them "working together" on the fabia \ octavia etc.....

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

Hmm - we could be both right -

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That article describes them "working together" on the fabia \ octavia etc.....

Indeed it would seem that both of them "cut their teeth" with Skoda before being moved on to the prestige brands.

Skoda: The design school of the Volkswagen group, that's kinda surprising.

Originally posted by Patrick in this post

Hey - my Czech is more or less fluent. The article only said Kulhanek liked the name Felicia - as far as I know there is a zero percent chance of it being used.

The new car should be built on the PQ35 platform with the wheelbase extended from the current 2512 to 2578mm. This won't be at the expense of the boot because the new model will be longer by the same amount - 4.57m overall.

Hope this clears up any confusion.

Yes, it does! Thanks, Patrick...

So does the story give away anything on the Octavia name being carried over to the new model, yes or no?

PQ35? Is that the new A3/Golf V platform?

So we will have 6 full cm of added rear legroom in the new car?

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

So we will have 6 full cm of added rear legroom in the new car?

The 6cm will be most welcome and it will be able to hit the Mondeo class head on! The Taxi drivers round here will be exstatic at hearing theres an extra 6 cm coming!

So we will have 6 full cm of added rear legroom in the new car?

any news on extra width? Im just asking coz the current Octy is a bit on the tight side in my garage , if it keeps going up in size (like the galant has) it may not fit next time round!

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

So does the story give away anything on the Octavia name being carried over to the new model, yes or no?

PQ35? Is that the new A3/Golf V platform?

So we will have 6 full cm of added rear legroom in the new car?

No news on whether it'll be renamed or not.

PQ35 is used on the A3, Golf V and in a longer version on the VW Toureg.

Yes it will have the extra 66mm as extra leg room. The interior should be more in accordance with the Superb rather than the Fabia so there is an upgrade there too. It sounds quite good - my current lease is up just about the time of Geneva too.

Regards

Patrick