The Skoda Octavia Wagon is the Sole RS for MY19

The Skoda Octavia wagon has had a decent run of success in a hotly contested segment. However, Skoda has announced some changes that could change the landscape for Skoda in Australia. The first thing to notice is that Skoda has announced that there will be no more manual or diesel models to come, thanks to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Testing Protocol (WLTP) changes. So from 2019 onwards, there will be no manual Skoda Octavia variant. Let’s take a closer look at some of the other details that have emerged so far.

What is the WLTP?

This is a European body that is enforcing stricter environmental controls in Europe from September onwards this year. The Skoda Octavia RS is the first casualty, and now the line up will be culled back to the RS245 DSG. This will also mean that the RS 169 TSI petrol variant and the RS 135TDI diesel variant will also be removed from the range.

How Will This Affect Sales?

Skoda is expecting a sales split of 70% wagons and 30% liftbacks. This is a conservative estimate based on previous sales of the Skoda Octavia RS. This seems to put to bed the often touted theory that wagons are a dead car market segment here in Australia. Although it is true that SUV sales and now crossover vehicles have taken the lion's share of sales in recent years, there are still significant numbers of drivers that prefer a wagon.

Skoda sold 590 cars here in a record May sales month, and just under 200 of those sales were Octavia cars. Of those sales, approximately 60% were RS variants, and most of those were RS245 wagons fitted with DSG. In total, around 70% of the Octavia sales are wagon sales with a variety of option packs fitted. This new legislation is already affecting other manufacturers, VW could lose the Golf R manual, and the Audi S3 could also be on the chopping block. It’s also expected that the release of the new BMW M3 could be delayed for further testing and the rest of the Skoda lineup will see engines rationalised with new particulate filters to meet the new requirements.

If you’re in the market for a new Skoda Octavia wagon, get in touch with us here at Skoda Perth. We have a vast selection of pre-owned and new cars available including the latest Skoda Octavia wagon models. We would like to invite you to join us for a no obligation test drive, and you can sample the Skoda driving ethos firsthand. If you need to finance your purchase, you will discover that our rates are favourable and your repayments can be tailored to suit your specific circumstances. Our sales team is standing by to advise you on the latest Skoda Octavia wagon price, and they would be happy to answer any further questions that you may have.

The Skoda Superb Estate Now Has a Bulletproof Variant

The new Skoda Superb estate equipped with bulletproof armour has a hefty price tag that would put it out of the range for most of us. This is an extremely niche market for people that face attempts on their life or kidnapping. These people have plenty of money to secure their protection and Skoda seem willing to provide a solution. Let’s take a closer look at this unusual Superb variant and see what it has to offer.

Not a Limousine
The first thing that many people think about when you mention bulletproof cars is the limousine. These are still used in formal settings, but they can be a poor option in many other real world circumstances. In fact, having a limousine can make you even more of a target and many wealthy or important people now prefer a car that is not immediately recognisable as a protected vehicle.

The Skoda Approach
Skoda has made a radical departure from their day to day business of supply affordable and sensible cars to make this bulletproof variant. The armoured Skoda Superb commands a price of $200,000 in Europe which may seem steep until you see the specifications. For your money, you get a Skoda wagon that is certified to have PAS300 protection. In real terms, this makes the car resistant to bullet impacts and missile strikes!

This is possible because of a reinforced safety cell, and the tyres are designed to run flat if they are damaged. As one might expect, the glass is all bulletproof and shatterproof to keep the passengers safe.

Beyond these few details, Skoda is staying tight lipped for security reasons about what else may be installed on the car. Obviously, both the suspension and braking systems would need to be upgraded to deal with the additional weight. We do know that there is an optional subtle blue lighting system available and onboard sirens are also fitted.

The engine is a 2.0 litre turbo diesel unit that can generate 140 kW of power and there are no acceleration figures for obvious reasons. One would expect that this powerplant has been significantly tweaked to get the most performance to facilitate defensive driving and evasion maneuvers.

If you are looking for a Skoda Superb wagon for sale in Perth, get in touch with us here at Skoda Perth. We have an extensive range of pre-owned and new cars available for sale including the latest Skoda Superb models. We would like you to join us for a no obligation test drive, and you can experience the Skoda driving difference for yourself. If you need to finance your purchase, you will discover that our rates are favourable and the repayments can be structured to suit your lifestyle. Our team is standing by to advise you on our latest Skoda Superb wagon 2018 deals, and they will be happy to answer any additional questions that you may have.