Geneva 2014: Skoda Octavia Scout debuts

The new Skoda Octavia Scout has made its world debut at the Geneva motor show. Skoda says the new model is designed to be a "robust all-rounder" and features more aggressive SUV-inspired styling than the regular Octavia estate on which it is based. 

 

Larger front and rear bumpers with silver-coloured guards give the Octavia Scout a muscular look, while the front also gets a wider air intake and new fog light designs. Protective side mouldings are marked out in black along the sides, as are the door sills and extended wheel arches.

 

The Octavia Scout's ride height is raised by 33mm over the standard car, and the car sits on 17-inch alloy wheels. Skoda has fitted the Scout model with a fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel-drive system, which the Czech manufacturer says helps improve the climbing power of the car over the old model.

Inside, a new three-spoke steering wheel developed specifically for the Scout controls most functions. A central infotainment display has also been installed, along with a part-leather interior.

 

Skoda says a range including two diesels and one petrol engine will accompany the Octavia Scout at launch. Those engines are likely to be chosen from the existing Octavia range, and help to make the new Scout up to 20 percent more economical than its predecessor.

The Octavia Scout will go on sale in global markets towards the middle of this year.