This is the new Skoda Octavia Scout. The off-road inspired estate goes on sale later in the year but Skoda UK is still yet to confirm whether the model will be sold here.
Like the outgoing Octavia Scout, this new model features a range of cosmetic and chassis revisions, designed to make the car more usable off-road. Its ride-height is 15mm taller than the standard car’s, while Skoda has fitted new underbody protection panels to prevent damage to the car’s mechanical components when off-roading.
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Elsewhere, there’s a fresh set of 18-inch alloy wheels, tweaked front and rear bumpers, a brace of “Scout” badges and rugged black plastic body cladding for the car’s wheel arches, side skirts and doors. Buyers also get silver roof rails and LED fog lamps as standard, while 19-inch alloys are available as an optional extra.
Inside, the Scout will be pretty much identical to the standard fourth-generation Octavia, sharing the same dashboard, centre console and 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, there are a few details which are specific to the trim-level, such as an aluminium pedal box, “Scout” branding for the front seats and contrasting brown stitching.
The new Octavia Scout will be offered with a choice of five engines: three diesels and two petrols. The engines in the diesel range will all be based on the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit and will be available in either 113bhp, 148bhp or 197bhp outputs.
Petrol buyers will be offered a choice of two turbocharged four-cylinder engines – either a 187bhp 2.0-litre unit or a 148bhp 1.5-litre unit. When specced with Skoda’s seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, the latter engine also features mild-hybrid assistance.
The lesser powered diesel and petrol engines will both be available with front-wheel drive, while the more potent powertrains will come with four-wheel drive as standard.
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