SKODA OCTAVIA 1.9TDI AT
PRICE Rs 13,44,342
(ex-showroom, Mumbai)
ON SALE Now
SKODA has at last introduced the automatic version of its popular Octavia. The four-speed auto-box is more expensive than its manual sibling by a considerable Rs 80,008 and is dubbed the Octavia 1.9TDI AT Elegance.
There are no significant changes in the car except for the 'AT' badging and the 'dot matrix' display in the instrument cluster instead of the LCD one found in the manual. The tiny screen shows the vehicle range and also indicates the ratio the car is in. The Octavia AT will come with anti-lock braking system that is not offered in the manual Elegance.
The Octavia is largely seen as a driver's car, thanks to its very good handling, tough build and torquey engine. The manual Octavia diesel is unbelievably fuel efficient but we expect the automatic to guzzle more diesel. However, in absolute terms, we doubt anyone would call even the diesel auto thirsty.
The Octavia diesel auto is aimed at owners driving mainly in the city, where the convenience of an automatic is unmatched. What does not change are the Octavia's other virtues of a solid build and superb ride.
Its limitations are there too like the cramped rear seats but having opted for an
automatic, one assumes the owners will mainly be in the driver's seat.
Sushant Balsekar