The Octavia has just received two new features that will make it more attractive to those looking for a compact family car.

Joining the petrol powertrain lineup in the 2017 Skoda Octavia family is a new 3-cylinder turbocharged unit. It has 999 cc and serves as a replacement for the 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 115 PS (113 HP) and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) of torque, between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. Going from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) varies between 9.9 seconds and 10.2 seconds, depending on the selected version (hatch/combi and manual/DSG gearbox), while top speed rises to 202 km/h (125 mph) in the hatchback.

Skoda highlights an 8 percent improvement in fuel consumption over the previous engine, stating that the hatch burns 4.5 lt/100 km (52.27 mpg US), while the Combi needs 4.6 lt/100 km (51.13 mpg US) and 4.5 lt/100 km (52.27 mpg US) with a DSG/manual gearbox, respectively. CO2 emissions vary between 103 g/km and 106 g/km.

There is also an aero package available as an option for the Active, Ambition and Style grades, whose components include a sport chassis, active air flaps and tailgate or roof spoiler. Tires are optimized for low-rolling resistance, lowering the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to 4.4 lt/100 km (53.46 mpg US) and 102 g/km for the manual hatch and Combi.

For the 2017 MY, Skoda offers adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), on engines with an output of at least 150 PS (148 HP), including the RS models, sharpening the steering and suspension depending on the drive mode selected: Comfort, Normal and Sport. The system can switch from Comfort to Sport “in hazardous situations”, improving grip and shortening braking distance.

Completing the package of extra features for the 2017 Octavia is a new set of 17-inch Teron wheels, available on the Ambition and Style grades.

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