Just so nobody gets the wrong idea, I'd like to say that I'm the proud owner of a jabba'd 4x4, but...

What exactly was the Skoda reasoning behind fitting 4wd to the octavia? If it had been for offroad (soft road) capabilities, you might have expected underbody protection, bigger plastic bumpers and offroad tyres as standard. If, though, they had been doing it as a performance feature, a la Audi, why did they raise the suspension and fit a less powerful (as standard, thank you Jabba ) engine?

To align themselfs with the other marques in the VAG group i guess.. namely the Passat 4motion and various Audi Quattaros.

why did you buy a 4x4?

Just so nobody gets the wrong idea' date=' I'd like to say that I'm the proud owner of a jabba'd 4x4, but...

What exactly was the Skoda reasoning behind fitting 4wd to the octavia? If it had been for offroad (soft road) capabilities, you might have expected underbody protection, bigger plastic bumpers and offroad tyres as standard. If, though, they had been doing it as a performance feature, a la Audi, why did they raise the suspension and fit a less powerful (as standard, thank you Jabba ) engine?[/quote']

Skoda's take on a cross-over vehicle a la Audi Allroad??

maybe to appeal to a more rural market, and by that i dont mean farmers, but country folk who travel on greasy muddy back roads more often than motorways, maybe not off road as such but in conditons which require more grip than a fwd could offer ?!

maybe to appeal to a more rural market, and by that i dont mean farmers, but country folk who travel on greasy muddy back roads more often than motorways, maybe not off road as such but in conditons which require more grip than a fwd could offer ?!

I see. So more for wet tarmac in winter than raw performance. That does tally with what I was thinking of when I bought mine. Along, that is, with lower insurance costs (4x4 + Jabba is still MUCH less than vRS for me) and the stealth element.

Plus I have to admit I saw 4wd as a bit of a boy's toy!

Si

Skoda's take on a cross-over vehicle a la Audi Allroad??

That's exactly what I meant - the Allroad is clearly a bit "beefed up" (big chunky bumpers) whereas all other 4x4 systems in the VAG range seem to infer high performance (lowered suspension etc). The Octavia is neither.

That's exactly what I meant - the Allroad is clearly a bit "beefed up" (big chunky bumpers) whereas all other 4x4 systems in the VAG range seem to infer high performance (lowered suspension etc). The Octavia is neither.

I dont think thats entirely true.. you can buy a 4motion passat that isnt "sport" you can get it as a diesel too.

same goes for Audi Quattro. IIRC you can get a TDi 130 and a 1.8t 150 as a quattro.

i guess its because they have the technology, and they probably make good sense in another country. (sweden?)

I dont think thats entirely true.. you can buy a 4motion passat that isnt "sport" you can get it as a diesel too.

same goes for Audi Quattro. IIRC you can get a TDi 130 and a 1.8t 150 as a quattro.

i guess its because they have the technology' date=' and they probably make good sense in another country. (sweden?)[/quote']

OK, it's just my ignorance of VAG products... .

For people like D*G who cant drive :lying:

I am sure DGW's driving talent is beyond question, I think some people feel more comfortable with 4x4 and as it is little hassle to fit so they have made a version. As for why it doesnt feature on "fast" octys i assume thats co nobody will pay double for an audi badge?

For people like D*G who cant drive :lying:

Who the heck is D*G? And if he can't drive, he shouldn't be wasting our time on Briskoda - like certain people who can't even arrange 3 letters in the right order!

Signed:

DGW

Who the heck is D*G? And if he can't drive' date=' he shouldn't be wasting our time on Briskoda - like certain people who can't even arrange 3 letters in the right order!

Signed:

[b']DGW[/b]

you still bit

you still bit

He always does...

Absolutely wonderful sense of humour you vRS chaps have. But you really could do with more than the one between you all...

I would see the all-road Audi as more of a lifestyle vehicle, ala Porsche cayenne etc.. all bells and whisltes but never does more than mount a kerb

whereas the Skud 4wd would seem to be a more practical option offering more onroad security than the regular Skud

Although personally I though the change from 4wd (scoob) to fwd (vRS) would be more shocking, but this weekend proved to me what a capable car the vrs is and how much fwd has improved since my last stint:D:D ( a fwd, 4ws Celica)

Cheers

a lifestyle vehicle, ala Porsche cayenne etc.. all bells and whisltes but never does more than mount a kerb

Although by all accounts the Cayenne is a competent off-roader, and can thrash an M5 on track!

Rob.

True... but my point was its unlikely to be seen up to its diffs in mud unless its left the track lol

Well, yes, I'd agree it's more likely to be seen on school runs than tractor runs, but I wouldn't say it's a lifestyle vehicle, on the grounds that unlike the other RAV4, etc. soft-roaders it is actually good for something...

Rob.

That's exactly what I meant - the Allroad is clearly a bit "beefed up" (big chunky bumpers) whereas all other 4x4 systems in the VAG range seem to infer high performance (lowered suspension etc). The Octavia is neither.

Good point, Simon. I don't quite "get" the standard 4x4 philosophy either. I've seen pictures of it being tested in the Navajo desert (or somewhere sandy anyway) so I think the offroad aspect is part of the concept, hence the increased rideheight - and the chunky bumpers are now available as an option in Holland. But it's hardly as tough as it should be to make it into a viable farmer's car

At the end of a day its a 'niche model' which is trying to appeal to a cross-section of people who want something different. I never quite got the raised ground clearance bit, but I hope we'll get a decent fall of snow to justify it.

Anyone remember the Toyota Tercel 4x4 Estate? In its day it was a very similar concept - 4wd, std engine and higher ground clearance. It was also a little bit slower but I did take it off the clock downhill in 4WD !

Rob

Isn't the 4x4 being discontinued?

Isn't the 4x4 being discontinued?

Along with the vRS when the new range comes out ? :pupeyes:

Haven't Skoda now ceased supply of the 4x4to the UK now due to lack of sales/interest? My dealer told me a few weeks ago they had.

......Anyhow 4x4's have plastic steering wheels :nono:

Haven't Skoda now ceased supply of the 4x4to the UK now due to lack of sales/interest? My dealer told me a few weeks ago they had.

......Anyhow 4x4's have plastic steering wheels :nono:

Skoda UK are still listing the 4X4 as available on their site. As for leather steering wheels' date=' 4X4s don't have them so that their owners don't cause offence to cows when they drive off road. And if you want to talk plastic in a big way, just have a look at the front and back of a vRS - kerb to kerb plastic wherever you look!!! :shocked:

Skoda UK are still listing the 4X4 as available on their site. As for leather steering wheels, 4X4s don't have them so that their owners don't cause offence to cows when they drive off road.

Good point Denis, will remember that when my hands are slipping next

Best sell my 4x4 though as I do like the vRS wheel..