This is becoming compulsory by April 2018 (unless we get Brexit done in 12 months), so you may get the choice this year or VAG may just go ahead and make you have it. Soon enough we'll all have to have it, anyway.

 

The rest of that stuff I don't really understand the desire for, but I'm a luddite I suppose! I am, of course, assuming that this is from an options list you're reading, it's not all standard stuff on the new one?

I haven't looked at the options list yet, only listed what should be available. That's the next challenge - not easy reading the .cz or .de configurators. Personally I love new tech and that would be one of the reasons for switching to a newer model.

and of course, something that's standard on a German or Czech car may not be present in a UK car

i'm quite happy for my car not to be a mobile hotspot of its own that's permanently connected to the net

So which of these features should you really want in the 2017/2018 model?

 

SKODA Connect: 3 bundles;

 

1) Infotainment Online

2) Care Connect (Remote Access or Proactive Service)

3) Emergency Call

 

SmartLink

 

SmartGate

 

Seems to me SmartLink is a must and Infotainment Online is a nice to have depending on the service charge?

SmartGate may be useful but not sure how all that is going to connect at the same time. The only other useful one may be the panic button "Emergency Call".

To be honest, none of them!

So which of these features should you really want in the 2017/2018 model?

 

SKODA Connect: 3 bundles;

 

1) Infotainment Online

2) Care Connect (Remote Access or Proactive Service)

3) Emergency Call

 

SmartLink

 

SmartGate

 

Seems to me SmartLink is a must and Infotainment Online is a nice to have depending on the service charge?

SmartGate may be useful but not sure how all that is going to connect at the same time. The only other useful one may be the panic button "Emergency Call".

 

SmartLink is the only one of those of interest. I don't know what the first two really are.

Might be similar to what a dealer was telling me about the Kodiak: you buy your own separate SIM card with a relevant data plan. Certain features and other passengers can then get online without having to go through a phone as a hot-spot.

I was thinking maybe the FL Octavia configurator may be up in the UK once the latest "Big Event" promotion ends on 23rd Jan....?   

I have octavia MY17 with columbus.

I didn't order Emergency Call and SmartLink but I have it.

Might be similar to what a dealer was telling me about the Kodiak: you buy your own separate SIM card with a relevant data plan. Certain features and other passengers can then get online without having to go through a phone as a hot-spot.

I think infotainment online is more like the headunit is online. Live trafficupdates, Google maps and such. Perhaps Spotify. Any less would disapoint me considering its a brand new headunit.

Just hope they have built some security into it. Cars could become a juicy target for hackers.

That's what I meant by "certain features" being online

That's what I meant by "certain features" being online

Which assumes having good mobile data coverage, and that's not a valid assumption for most people living outside of a major city in the UK.

 

Even in the Southampton area where I live there are many "not spots", and as you head West the coverage gets even worse.

I think I'd be quite happy with SmartLink and running stuff from my phone.

 

I could be wrong however, I didn't see how I would need Bluetooth back in 2010. (Not that it was available on my O2FL VRS as a factory option) 

I think I'd be quite happy with SmartLink and running stuff from my phone.

 

I could be wrong however, I didn't see how I would need Bluetooth back in 2010. (Not that it was available on my O2FL VRS as a factory option) 

I'm surprised, our '11 vRS Octy had Bluetooth incorporated into the Bolero.

 

DC 

Back on 2010, with the vRS at least I think you could only have Bluetooth if you had DSG. It was another of Skoda UK's bonkers options 'restrictions'.

Back on 2010, with the vRS at least I think you could only have Bluetooth if you had DSG. It was another of Skoda UK's bonkers options 'restrictions'.

That makes sense, the Octy was indeed DSG.

 

Very nice car, mapped out to 261 ps, so quite nippy & economical if treated sensibly.

Hope the new owner is enjoying it...........

 

DC

Facelift now on the Irish website, but not configurator. 

Order books open for UK: 

 

1 hour ago, ColinD said:

Order books open for UK: 

 

 

Facelift pricing... 

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/why-skoda/new-octavia/pricing

UK spec list looks pretty good imo. If you go for an SEL, there can't be many options to tick given what it comes with out the box. 

 

Noticed two types of rear lights mentioned too. 'Rear LED Lights' and 'LED Rear Lights (high)'. The latter comes on the L&K spec. 

Edited 25 January, 20179 yr by SC03OTT

16 hours ago, SC03OTT said:

UK spec list looks pretty good imo. If you go for an SEL, there can't be many options to tick given what it comes with out the box. 

 

Noticed two types of rear lights mentioned too. 'Rear LED Lights' and 'LED Rear Lights (high)'. The latter comes on the L&K spec. 

 

But if you go for a L&K you are forced to have a diesel, not very practical when some cities are proposing bans on diesels.

 

I have had two L&K petrol autos in the past (both brilliant cars, mk1 stayed in family until 12 years old, the mk2 was sold at 8 years), but Skoda no longer wants my business (even though I have bought 7 Skodas)

1 hour ago, SurreyJohn said:

 

But if you go for a L&K you are forced to have a diesel, not very practical when some cities are proposing bans on diesels.

 

I have had two L&K petrol autos in the past (both brilliant cars, mk1 stayed in family until 12 years old, the mk2 was sold at 8 years), but Skoda no longer wants my business (even though I have bought 7 Skodas)

 

Having looked at the spec lists, there was nothing that jumped out - for me - as a reason to pick the L&K over the SEL.  That was part of the reasoning behind my post. But yeah, if the L&K is what you want, regardless, you're pretty stuck for choice. 

20 hours ago, SC03OTT said:

UK spec list looks pretty good imo. If you go for an SEL, there can't be many options to tick given what it comes with out the box. 

 

Noticed two types of rear lights mentioned too. 'Rear LED Lights' and 'LED Rear Lights (high)'. The latter comes on the L&K spec. 

 

Interestingly, the czech configurator shows the pre-FL rear lights on trim levels active and ambition. 

I see that the UK website has "rough road package" available to order £220?.............standard on the Scout.

 

Had a look at the picture for it & looks like you get the following:-

front skid tray, if the GRP then these are £230 each alone!

front exhaust cover, again about £40ish

exhaust cover by fuel tank, £40ish

 

Then the two long main underbody covers from the front wheel arch to under the rear side doors, I thought these were standard fit? I have them on my Golf!

 

Then the fill in cover for the space for a "dual system" exhaust, again standard on my Golf not on Octavia?

 

Finally a cover over the exhaust, seen these on the Passat & I have my doubts as to longevity........

 

No word on the rear arm covers or the rear axle tray cover, both of which I fitted to my car using VW parts.......& which would fit to the Octavia also!

 

I would prefer more details , but if it does have the GRP skid tray then its a win win........

Edited 26 January, 20179 yr by fabdavrav

So it looks like the 1.8TSi hasn't made the (UK) cut despite the publicity blurb saying 4 petrol engines are available. Shame I was hoping for a petrol Scout. 

 

" Available in both Hatch and Estate, the new Octavia comes with a choice of 8 engines – four TSI and four TDI."

 

So the TSi engines on the price list are 1.0 115, 1.4 150 and 2.0 230...unless I'm missing something?

Edited 26 January, 20179 yr by juan27

Im just not sold on the new front end......think the pre-FL looks better IMHO.  Kind of the same story with the Mk2.  Why they chose to split the headlights is beyond me.

 

Prospective vRS TDI owners seem to be getting done a bit too.....prime opportunity for Skoda to introduce the 190 SCR motor but no it continues with the outgoing 184.....TSI gets the 230 tune though.

 

Dont get me wrong, having had a car than needs AdBlue (and finding it a little bit of a pain) there is an upside to the 184 remaining, but where is the progress?

 

Having had a Mk3 Elegance previously though the mild spec improvements found on the SE-L would be welcomed.  I do however wonder how buggy the MIB3 infotainment will be....in some respects MIB2 was even worse than MIB1!!