Following its world premiere at the recent Geneva Motor Show in March, the new Skoda Octavia Laurin & Klement (L&K) Edition has arrived in Britain with a starting on-the-road price of £26,570.

You can get it in both liftback and hatchback body styles with a choice of two engines, the new 178hp (180PS) 1.8-liter TSI Petrol or the more popular and frugal 148hp (150PS) 2.0-liter TDI diesel, connected to either a standard six-speed manual or a dual clutch DSG automatic. The diesel estate is also offered with optional all-wheel drive.

Now, as far as what makes the L&K edition tick, Skoda says, but doesn’t show in pictures (what’s with that?), that it builds on the Elegance trim adding exclusive brown Alcantara and leather interior, special badges and various tech and comfort features. These include:

· 18-inch Turbine alloy wheels

· Bi-xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lights System)

· LED rear lights

· Chrome window surround

· Sunset glass (Estate only)

· Brown Alcantara and leather upholstery

· L&K cabin logos, stitching and door sill trims

· Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, lumbar support and heating

· Rear backrest release from boot

· Illuminated front and rear footwells

· Adaptive cruise control with Front Assistant

· Canton audio system

· Lane assist

· Park assist

· Cornering front fog lights

As mentioned before, pricing kicks off at £26,570 for 1.8-liter TSI 180PS hatch, with the equivalent Estate set at £27,375, while the 2.0-liter TDI CR 150PS DPF hatch starts at £26,410 and the 2.0-liter TDI CR 150PS 4×4 DPF in Estate trim, which is the most expensive model in the range, at £28,665.

By John Halas

PHOTO GALLERY

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