Mundane Skoda unit feels out of depth in Toyota VVT-i company

With a power-to-weight ratio of 107bhp per tonne and one of Toyota's popular VVT-i motors under the hood, the Corolla was always going to be a hoot. The 1794cc engine belts out an impressive 125bhp at 6000rpm with a very useful 14kgm available at a peak of 4000rpm. The Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) technology used on this twin-cam motor helps improve power and responsiveness at all engine speeds and can easily be felt. Responses to a tap on the throttle are very positive and almost instantaneous, the motor pulling the car forward from as low as 1200-1500rpm. This powerplant is also extremely silent and vibration-free at idle and low engine speeds. This delivers a tremendous feel-good factor. Performance is leagues ahead of any other car, even near this price range. Our test figures also conclusively show that the Honda City.
V-TEC is no longer the performance king, the Corolla actually earning the mantle of the quickest car on Indian roads. Zero to 100kph takes a scant 9.07 seconds with the Corolla clocking 140kph in 17.76 seconds - that's faster than any four-wheeler sold in India including the awesome S-class. The big Merc is only quicker if you keep the pedal to the metal till 160 or 180kph. If you love your Honda City, the Corolla is what should be next.

In the real world, what owners will quickly learn to appreciate is how effortless the Corolla is to drive. The responsive nature of the engine and ample acceleration in any gear without the need to downshift makes it a dream to drive.

On the highway the surplus power gives you a feeling of confidence during any overtaking manoeuvre and if you find the space you can take it to a top whack of 196kph. However, there are some serious chinks in the powertrain. For one, the gearshift isn't impressive and not as smooth or slick as the Octavia's. The undersquare engine also doesn't like to be revved and it feels distinctly raucous as you near the 6700rpm redline.

The Octavia's 2.0-litre petrol unit feels basic and pedestrian in comparison. A simple iron block, two- valves-per-cylinder motor, it stands no chance when compared with the likes of the Toyota. Putting out 111bhp, this engine however manages to take the Octavia to 100kph from rest in 11.9 seconds, due in no small part to the 16.8kgm of torque, the larger capacity of the engine playing a part here.

Compared to the Corolla, the Octavia's engine doesn't feel as alert nor is it as responsive throughout its engine range. The truth is that the Octavia feels more than adequately powered both in the city and the highway. It's happiest when kept in the middle of its powerband, between 2000-3500rpm where the torque does a majority of the work. The engine is fairly quiet thanks mainly to extensive sound-deadening material all Octavias come with. The short stubby and very direct lever goes so sweetly to the next gear, you sometimes execute a gear-change just for the heck of it. Owners are unlikely to find the Octavia's performance a cause for complaint, unless they've just stepped out of the Corolla.

Octavia's engine is not high-tech but has good mid-range and torque; Corolla's motor bristles with technology and is good for 125bhp