Reviews and Road Tests
First Drive: Skoda Octavia Laurin & Klement
By by: George Achorn
Apr 1, 2003, 04:43

It is hard to believe that the Octavia is the oldest model in the Skoda lineup. Skoda Auto, the Czech division of the VW Group, started selling this car as one of the first models based on the fourth generation of the VW corporate "A" platform also shared with the likes of the Audi TT and the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. Not sold in the United States, many may not be familiar with this corporate cousin that some might argue isn't a whole lot different than the Jetta. That'd be a bit of an overstatement though, as we learned during a European road trip in this Octavia 1.9-liter TDI in upscale Laurin & Klement trim.

The test car we picked up in Frankfurt, Germany was a light green Octavia 1.9 TDI Laurin & Klement sedan. Though no more pretentious as and almost identical in size to the Volkswagen Jetta, the car did look the part of a small luxury car. The Octavia from its introduction was the beginning of a modern makeover of Skoda, itself the only commercially successful Eastern European automobile manufacturer. Two versions of the car were launched; a 5-door sedan with hatchback-style trunk, and a station wagon referred to as "Combi" by brand marketers. During its life cycle, various equipment levels and specifications of these cars have been offered, though none have been as luxurious as the Laurin & Klement.

As a nod to the Czech brand's heritage, Skoda chose to look to the past in its choice of an upscale production package. Vaclay Laurin and Vaclav Klement founded the automobile company that would later become known as Skoda, and around the beginning of the 20th century, the name "L&K" was known for quality and luxury throughout that region of the world.

At the time of launch, the Octavia Laurin & Klement (L&K) was the pinnacle of luxury in the Skoda lineup. Shortly after its introduction, the L&K models were adopted as the transportation of choice for bureaucrats and government officials in the Czech Republic, Skoda's home market. More likely than not, it was national pride and not frugality that brought those VIP derrieres into the Octavia. However, more often than not, it is frugality that brings consumers across Europe into Skoda dealerships.

We've long heard the suggestion that the Volkswagen group of automotive brands, specifically those from Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda sharing platforms, suffer from similarities much akin to General Motors, where years of cross breeding products combined with creatively different grill design has eroded much of the individuality between marques from the Detroit-based automotive behemoth.

It's no surprise that there is platform sharing going on at Volkswagen AG. If it wasn't emphasized prior to the Lopez fiasco, it fell under the spotlight when cost-cutting guru, J. Ignacio Lopez left GM, taking with him many documents & plans some later termed as questionable, for an offer he couldn't refuse at the side of then VW Group chairman Ferdinand Piech. After the dust from various lawsuits and settlements cleared, Lopez was out, but an aggressive plan of platform sharing had been set into place.

For some critics of the Volkswagen Group, this meant writing off similarly sized and equipped vehicle offerings as "just like GM", however a closer look shows a strategy that uses a greater level of care in the development of these corporate cousins. Then king of the Volkswagen Group castle, Dr. Piech, likened this strategy to "hats". The German automotive mogul's idea was to have many vehicles use the same basic platform ala GM, though specified a great difference in the "hat", more accurately described as pretty much any component that the casual consumer would see or come into contact with on a regular basis.



Exterior

While similar in size to the Jetta, the Octavia appears distinctly different. Much more than an alternative grill, our Skoda test vehicle shares little if any sheet metal with the top-selling (at least in North America) Volkswagen Jetta. Additionally, other critical body components are also unique, including most glass, lighting components, wheels and more. While minor details such as the European side markers found just aft the front wheel arch on the front fenders can be traced back to the previous generation design from the Audi parts bin, the rest of the car is satisfyingly unique. The overall look is intended to be conservative, and because of this the design language not all that surprisingly strikes us as a direction Volvo could have gone prior to tying their own brand direction to the current S80.

While it won't spontaneously ignite any fires of passion, the Octavia is subtle and easy on the eyes. The handsome yet staid look combined with the attractive packaging of Volkswagen's A-platform make it attractive, before you even consider the notable cost savings over its corporate brethren.

For wheels, the Laurin and Klement comes with a non-aggressive, yet handsome design that, while somewhat nondescript does help bestow the Octavia with a more luxurious appearance. On our car, the standard L&K wheels had also been polished with an almost dark tint that reminded us of the finish on much more costly wheels, such as those found on the BMW M5.

Our test car came in a handsome light metallic green not too far from the color currently sold on North American Passats. This subtle yet handsome color, while understated, added to the car an additional element of class. The Laurin & Klement is not out to appeal to the weekend warrior or the boy-racer. That job is left to the more sporting Octavia RS.

Interior

Inside the vehicle, the differentiation philosophy is much the same as outside. Some subtle sharing of componentry such as the steering wheel can be found, but even the more discerning driver will appreciate the unique dashboard, interior lighting, shift knob, door pulls, etc. as quite different from the Jetta/Bora. Once you begin to pay attention, there are some key differences the Volkswagen Group seems to engineer into the car to place it in their overall product offering.

Plastics are not on the level of Volkswagen product. This is particularly apparent in on the dashboard and the door panels, where the plastic quality seems more akin to Japanese products and doesn't have the "soft-touch" plastics we are more accustomed to. Skoda, after all, is the entry-level brand in the Volkswagen Group's portfolio, so this isn't all that much of a surprise.

Still, the Octavia is a popular car in Europe for the discerning businessperson who doesn't wish to spend a lot of money, though desires much of the equipment found in higher end luxury models. Volkswagen makes use of this by adding parts-bin equipment componentry such as automatic climate control, Alcantara/leather seating surfaces and in-dash full color navigation screen. It's enough to make an American Jetta owner seeking luxury accoutrements get a bit green with envy.



Overall, Skoda does an adequate job providing its own look and feel. Instrumentation is backlit in green, once common in Volkswagens, though now unique to Skoda and also not surprisingly the Skoda brand color. Bolsters on the seats are smaller than Volkswagen and the more aggressive equivalents from Audi and SEAT. The color of the hide is also unique, with a more terra cotta (orangish) tone that worked well with the green/gray exterior. To our knowledge, this color combination is not offered on any Volkswagen brand product.

In other respects, it's obvious this little car shares components with its corporate cousins. Shifter feel and the slightly vague steering feel no different than US products of the same nature.

Engine

Our test car was equipped with the VW group 110hp 1.9l TDI diesel engine. This engine is similar to the existing 90hp 1.9l TDI sold in America except with the better fuel available in Europe, Skoda is able to get better performance (i.e. more horsepower) without having to deal with the emissions issues we have here. The 110hp 1.9l TDI puts out 173 lb-ft. of torque at a low 1,900 RPM vs. 155 lb-ft. of torque for the U.S. 90hp version.

On the Road

Pulling out onto the autobahn, the overall feeling of acceleration is very similar to a North American TDI. That's not surprising. There's not a whole lot of difference in power ratings between the two and the engine/transmission combinations very similar. Acceleration is adequate, although where the shortcomings of the engine become apparent is high-speed cruising on the Autobahn. We find and open lane and stretch the Skoda's legs on up to an equivalent of about 120 mph. At those speeds, stability is good, but we're reminded of the limits of this more basic 4-cylinder TDI as a silver BMW Z8 comes streaking up behind us blinking his lights. At that pace, it's about all the Octavia can do to accelerate enough to find an opening and get out of the Bimmer's way.

Handling is quite competent. The closest North American comparison might be Volkswagen's sport suspension offered on Golf and Jetta models. With 16-inch wheels, comparing it to a Jetta Wolfsburg Edition in the handling department wouldn't be a far reach.



In Closing

Basically the oldest of the A4 chassis cars, the Octavia might also be the most versatile. With it's 5-door and combi variations, it is definitely the most utilitarian, and that suits Skoda just fine. Combined with conservative styling and extremely competitive pricing given the content levels, the Octavia Laurin & Klement proves to be an intelligent package. Coupled with the TDI in Europe where tax breaks are offered on diesel powered vehicles, it appears to be a highly intelligent and value-oriented package indeed.

Back here in the States, we're left wondering why a car such as the Laurin & Klement wouldn't work here. Of course, it'd be a Volkswagen, but one has to wonder if a high content Jetta TDI might be well accepted here. TDI loyalists here in the US probably look at a vehicle like the L&K, or even more powerful offerings like the 150 bhp Bora TDI as a possible success… at least in their own eyes. One really can't razz Volkswagen though. They've been the only manufacturer for years to offer a diesel automobile in the USA. Were it a Skoda Octavia L&K or a Jetta GLX TDI, I can only say that this owner of a gasoline powered vehicle would probably trade up for a well outfitted diesel.

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