2008 Skoda Octavia Scout 4x4

Skoda is certainly on the move in this country, and the VW-owned brand is keeping a good thing going with the Australian introduction of the Octavia Scout 4X4.

The Scout is Skoda’s first entry into the Australian compact SUV segment and according to the PR blurb, it is “designed for drivers who demand equal measures of practicality and individuality”.

So, this is an Octavia that you can pack the family into and hit the roads less travelled, thanks to its raised suspension (40mm higher than a standard Octavia) and AWD system. For the off-road folks amongst us, the Scout features overhang angles of 16.3 degrees in the front and 16.9 degrees in the rear.

The Scout boasts an up-to-the-minute switchable all-wheel-drive system that uses a second-generation Haldex clutch. The electronic Haldex clutch is installed in the rear axle and acts in a fraction of a second, to ensure that the wheels with the most grip are fed the most power. It will vary the power between the front and rear wheels as needed.

The result is a vehicle that combines the economy associated with an efficient two-wheel drive vehicle on the black-top, with the genuine ability to negotiate a variety of off-road situations with confidence.

Powering the Scout is the familiar Volkswagen 2.0-litre TDI with diesel particulate filter as standard, producing 103 kW/ 320 Nm and hooked-up to a six-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy is a claimed 6.6 L/100km combined cycle.

Standard equipment includes 17 inch 'Proteus’ alloy wheels, heated front seats, dual zone air con, ESP, 6 airbags, rear acoustic parking sensors, cruise control, twin chrome exhausts and unique ‘Scout’ touches throughout the cabin.

With 580 litres of boot space (1,620 litres with the back seats down) and a payload capacity of 660kg, there should be plenty of room for the camping gear.

Standard equipment

• Four-wheel-drive

• 17” ‘Proteus’ Alloy wheels

• Cruise control

• Six airbags – dual front, front side and curtain.

• Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning

• Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

• ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program), ABS, EBD and ASR

• Front fog lights

• Height adjustable driver and passenger seats

• 180mm ground clearance

• Interior ‘Scout’ cloth

• Radio ‘Audience’ 2DIN with 6 CD stacker and MP3 player (8 speakers)

• MP3 auxiliary input socket

• Rear parking sensors

• Remote central locking

• Body protective mouldings

• Leather pack (steering wheel, gearknob, and gaiter)

• Multi-function trip computer

• Heated front seats

• Light assistant (coming home/leaving home function)

• Rain Sensor windscreen wipers

Pricing for the Octavia Scout starts at $39,990