SKODA OCTAVIA AMBIENTE (From Warrington Guardian)

SKODA OCTAVIA AMBIENTE

SKODA introduced a new special edition of the current Octavia, the Ambiente additionally designated SE, last month.

Combining the flexibility and driving comfort of Octavia's most popular trim level with additional equipment, the Ambiente SE starts from £12,380 and rises to £14,890.

Buyers of the special edition can choose from three engines and two transmissions.

There's a manual 1.6 litre petrol engine that has a maximum output of 102 horsepower, a 1.9 TDI diesel capable of 90 hp mated to either manual or automatic transmission and the 1.9 TDI using Pumpe Duse technology with 130 hp.

The petrol engines meet the stringent EU4 emissions standard not due to come into force until next year and the modifications that were required to achieve this had the spin off of slightly increasing the horsepower. The diesel engine complies with EU3 regulations.

Each of the Octavia Ambiente SE models include features normally found as options on the range: metallic paint, alloy wheels, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and small leather pack.

These are valued collectively at £975 while the actual premium is £300 above the price of the corresponding Octavia Ambiente models.

The full Octavia range already features a compact disc player and stereo system, driver's and front passenger's airbags, an ABS braking system, a steering wheel that's height and reach adjustable and central locking.

It's no secret, of course, that after one million sales of the model a new Octavia will soon be with us.

First pictures were released last month and the car will make its first public appearance at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 2.

The car has been designed and engineered at Skoda's technical centre at its headquarters in Mlada Boleslav near Prague in the Czech Republic. The factory is the most modern in Europe and the cleanest I have ever visited.

The new car is 4,572 mm long, 1,769 mm wide and 1,462 mm high. The basic luggage-compartment capacity amounts to 560 litres with the folding rear seats in place.

New Octavia will be available with a choice of six engines. These include 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines as well as 1.6 and 2.0 direct injection petrol engines. The diesels are two fuel-efficient four-cylinder units of 1.9 and 2.0 litres.

As with the rest of the Skoda range, Octavia comes with a full peace-of-mind warranty package which provides three years' or 60,000-mile cover plus three years' paint and 10 years' anti-perforation warranties and three years' worth of emergency assistance at the roadside.