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Geneva/Mladá Boleslav, March 2013 – The new ŠKODA Octavia Combi is a new highlight in the world of compact cars. Like no other vehicle in this segment, the newest ŠKODA combines high levels of functionality with dynamic elegance, featuring clear lines, perfect proportions and highest precision down to the smallest detail. The ŠKODA Octavia Combi is a new, commanding statement by the designer team lead by ŠKODA design chief Jozef Kabaň.

The new ŠKODA design is also conveyed in the new Octavia Combi. "This car is cast in one piece," says Frank Welsch, ŠKODA board member for technical development. "Its clear, dynamic appearance helps it stand out from the masses and is also more practical than ever before. The new ŠKODA Octavia Combi is the perfect interplay of form and function. A Combi that shows that even a large car can be beautiful," explains Welsch.

As with the new ŠKODA Octavia limousine, the new Octavia Combi concentrates on the essentials artistic lines– both inside and out. The clear, precise forms, sharp edges and distinctive proportions immediately catch the eye. "You don't need any gimmicks or excessive decorations to have an attractive car, but rather a clear style that is timeless and remains appealing over many years,", says design chief Kabaň. "That is what the new Octavia Combi stands for."

The front end of the ŠKODA Octavia Combi – more commanding and distinctive than ever

The front end of the ŠKODA Octavia Combi shows class, is commanding and assertive - without appearing pretentious. Accentuating details and emphasising horizontal lines has made the front end border on the prestigious. At the same time, the 'face' of the Octavia can be recognised unmistakably as that of ŠKODA Combi by its characteristic shapes and the arrangement of design elements such as the radiator grille, the logo and the headlights. The front of the Combi is identical with that of the Octavia limousine.

The new ŠKODA logo has been placed prominently on the bonnet – the "premium location," as designers call it. At the same time, the logo is the origin of almost all the lines of the car. The logo already represents the ultimate in precision and clarity: it shows the finely detailed finned arrow in chrome on matte-black background, surrounded by a fine chrome line.

The radiator grille with its 21 vertically slats forms the centre of the vehicle's front end. In the new Octavia Combi, the grille has grown slightly and is now placed a little higher than was the case still with the second generation. In addition, to give the grille added visual emphasis, the designers separated it more clearly from the headlights. Slight curves make the outer shape more dynamic. A fine strip of chrome surrounds the radiator grille - for an elegant, distinctive finish.

Together with the grille, the distinctively shaped headlights of the ŠKODA Octavia Combi form a closed, characteristic front-end graphic. Completely redesigned, with their precisely worked-out, sharply cut form and horizontal arrangement, the car's completely redesigned headlights emphasise the width of the front-end of the Octavia. At the same time, the skilful design of the headlights again emphasises the subject of precision. The type of the surface finish and the working of precisely cut edges resemble that of cut glass. Deliberate variations on such crystalline design elements emphasises the roots of the vehicle in the Czech Republic, a country with a great tradition in crystal glass.

The vertical lines of the radiator grille fins continue in the vertical light lines of the bi-xenon headlights, including LED daytime running lights. This aesthetically pleasing continuation of the lines is reminiscent of eyelashes in their gracefulness and provides the new Octavia with a unique 'face'.

The front fog lights fulfil an important optical function as they combine with the headlights to form a cloverleaf shape. This emphasises the "likeable" appearance of the new Octavia. The air intake with its honeycomb grille is located between the front fog lights. This structural arrangement provides functional advantages and makes the new Octavia sporty, youthful and fresh.

The commanding bonnet also conveys solidity and value. Shaped three-dimensionally, it elevates the front part of the vehicle and strengthens the appearance of the overall vehicle.

Dynamic elegance

The side view of the new Octavia Combi conveys pure dynamics, featuring the finely tuned interplay of lines, surfaces, window graphics and proportion. The elongated Combi shape also benefits the car.

Compared to the previous model, the almost 11 cm longer wheelbase (2,686 mm vs. 2,578 mm) emphasizes the new model's striking proportions, as does the front overhang that is 886 mm shorter (Octavia II: 915 mm). The total length of the new Octavia Combi is 4,659 mm, which makes the third generation 90 mm longer than its predecessor. The Combi's length and width are identical to the dimensions of the Octavia limousine. In fact, with a height of 1,465 mm the Combi is 4 millimetres higher than the limousine.

The Octavia Combi appears very clear from the side – a dynamically flowing silhouette from the front to the rear window, undisturbed by any unnecessary breaks or superfluous lines. In addition, the self-contained, the sharp side profile amplifies the effect of the high tornado line. It accentuates the powerful appearance of the new Octavia, stretching the car visually. The sharp emphasis of the tornado line creates an effective contrast of light and shadow.

The window line gently slopes downward and elegantly transitions into the D-pillars, a dynamic finishing touch that enables optimal utilisation of the cargo area. The rear end of the vehicle is extremely harmonious and natural, far from looking "bolted on." The taillights extend from the rear area to the side of the vehicle and end directly at the tornado line.

The dynamic design of the new Octavia Combi does not come at the expense of the interior space. On the contrary, the third generation offers more space than ever before. Whether it is the interior length, legroom, or more headroom or elbow width, the new Octavia Combi expanded in all directions. The boot volume has increased to 610 litres – another best in class standard. The boot opening is now also wider and higher. At 631 mm x 6 mm, the loading sill is even lower than before, which makes loading extremely easier.

The rear – clear and clean style

The rear of the new Octavia Combi is clear, precise and clean. The new ŠKODA brand logo is located on the centre of the boot lid. The left side of the boot lid shows the ŠKODA company name, while the right side bears the Octavia model designation in new lettering. Everything is in its place.

The new Octavia Combi is immediately recognisable as a ŠKODA due to its C-shaped rear lights and the characteristic triangles on the boot lid. The taillights graphic is typical of ŠKODA with its distinctive C-shaped lighting contour and has been executed in the new Octavia with brilliant consistency. Like in the Octavia limousine, each taillight of the Octavia Combi now features two C-shaped light strips that enhance the graphic effect. In the top version, these strips are made from LED light strips. Crystal-like structures are visible in the taillights as well. As a supplement to the graphical arrangement of the lights, the new Octavia has two reflecting light strips. These 'cat eyes' run dynamically from the side of the vehicle into the bumper.

Another rear-view features that is characteristic of the brand are the two cubistic triangles on the left and right sides of the boot lid that are detailed with precise lines. They connect the graphics of the taillights with the boot lid. These triangles at the rear of new ŠKODA models are an elegant eye-catcher. A black diffuser forms the tail end, integrating technical elements such as parking assist sensors and the optionally available trailer hitch and completely the exhaust system.
Fresh interior space

Clean styling, timeless elegance and above all, lots and lots of space: these are features that are immediately evident in the interior of the new Octavia Combi. Each ŠKODA stands for spaciousness, especially the Combi. The designers were impressively successful in providing this space with a new definition in the Octavia. Everything is aesthetically appealing, precise and refined, whether it is control elements or air intake vents, whether dashboard, steering wheels, gear shift levers, panels, door openers or power windows. Everything is new and extremely functional, which was the motto of the interior designers.

The interior of the Octavia impresses with its horizontal orientation and generous space offering. There is none of the traditional subdivision of the dashboard by means of decorative trims. This provides the interior with a fresh feeling. It also means that the front-seat passenger has an optimised view of the instruments. "In other words, a democratisation of the interior," says Jozef Kabaň. "The driver and the passenger have virtually the same rights. Our motto is equal comfort for everyone aboard."

Ergonomics plays a major role: "The feeling you have in the Octavia is that of wearing a well-tailored suit," says Kabaň. "Everything fits perfectly, and you feel great. The vehicle imparts a feeling of value and solidity that one does not necessary expect to see in this segment."

Centrally located in the centre console, beneath the hazard warning flasher switch, is the radio infotainment system with all the necessary menu buttons and knobs. The newly developed systems feature touch displays of up to 8-inches in size with proximity sensors, depending on the model. Underneath the infotainment module are the controls for the air conditioning system. Clarity and precision are a recurring theme in all aspects of all elements of the interior. The white-backlit instrument panel has been redesigned. For the first time, the multi-function display Maxi DOT in the centre of the instrument cluster of the Octavia Combi can be ordered in colour.

The door panels in the new Octavia Combi also provide a feeling of quality. In the upper equipment packages, for example, elegant decor trims flows into the door handles. The power window controls are ergonomically easy to reach in the arms rests. On the driver's side, the electric mirror adjustment controls sit underneath the door handle.

Variety and individuality

Three equipment lines are available for the ŠKODA Octavia Combi: Active, Ambition and Elegance. Wheel sizes vary depending on the line (15 or 16 inch, steel or alloy) as do interior colours (ranging from black to black-grey to black-beige), decor choices, air conditioning, storage compartments, instrument clusters, infotainment or safety equipment. The options for individualisation of the new Octavia Combi are almost limitless, be it chrome strips, nine steering wheel versions with three or four spokes, nine wheel designs and four wheel sizes, from 15 to 18 inches – no desires will remain unfulfilled.

Twelve colours are available for the exterior: three solid paints in candy white, corrida red, and Pacific blue as well as nine metallic paints, from topaz brown, race blue, platinum grey, brilliant silver, denim blue, rosso Brunello, cappuccino beige, and lava blue to Magic black with pearl effect.

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