Octavia [2001-2010] Ambiente 2.0 MPi Specifications & Features
Features
Features
Features
Exterior
Sunroof / Moonroof
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Ensure the sunroof is closed before exiting the vehicle to prevent dirt/rain from entering the cabin
Roof-mounted Antenna
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The compactness of the roof-mounted antenna prevents its damage in certain situations
Body-coloured Bumpers
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Having parking sensors will save your bumper paint if it brushes by obstacles
Chrome Finish Exhaust Pipe
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Braking & Traction
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
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An electronic system that prevents the tyres from locking and skidding in emergency braking situations by pulsing the brakes (quickly releasing and reapplying the brakes)
ABS is a great accident prevention technology, allowing drivers to steer while braking hard
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
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An electronic system that redirects braking forces among the four brakes to stop the car as quickly and stably as possible
Brake Assist (BA)
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A system that increases brake pressure to help the car stop quicker
Even when emergency braking, it is observed that drivers don’t apply maximum brake pressure through the pedal, the BA system provides additional pressure to help stop the car quicker
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
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System designed to improve car stability and control, especially when the car is accelerating.
ESP or ESC cannot increase traction but rather improve control or help regain control in slippery conditions.
Traction Control System (TC/TCS)
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This system cuts power to those wheels that are spinning without grip/traction
Given the option, keep traction control on all the time.
Hill Descent Control
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A feature that limits the car's speed without any driver input while traversing down descents
Safety
Rear Middle Three Point seatbelt
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Safer three-point seatbelts for passengers seated in the middle of the second row of seats.
Budget cars are usually fitted with more economical lap belts for the middle-occupant.
Rear Middle Head Rest
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A headrest for the middle occupant of the second-row of seats.
Budget cars are usually not offered with headrests for the middle occupant of the second-row to save on costs. Headrests are instrumental in reducing whiplash injuries in case of an accident
Seat Belt Warning
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Mandatory fitment in cars sold in India, emits loud beeps when it detects that occupants are not wearing their seatbelts.
Seat belt warning is mandatory for front-seat occupants, but it is recommended that all occupants wear seat belts.
Comfort & Convenience
Air Conditioner
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The different types of air-conditioning systems used to cool the cabin
Maintaining the lowest temperature and first blower speed offers the best results.
Heater
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This feature allows warm air to pass through the air-con vents for heating the cabin
Vanity Mirrors on Sun Visors
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Compact mirrors fitted to the inside of the sunvisor
Anti-glare Mirrors
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These mirrors negate the glare from headlight beams of cars behind you
Since a large chunk of people love driving around in their high beam, these mirrors come in handy
Parking Assist
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A feature that aids drivers park with ease and greater precision using sensors/cameras
It comes as a boon for drivers who are not used to parking in tight spots
Cruise Control
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A system that automatically controls the speed of the car
Headlight and Ignition On Reminder
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An alert that warns one from leaving the car with the headlight and ignition switched on
Keyless Start/ Button Start
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When fitted, this system allows the car to be switched on without removing the key from the driver’s pocket or vicinity.
Keyless entry and start/stop (KESS) systems in some cars also include operation via a smartphone.
Steering Adjustment
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A function where the steering wheel moves up/down, in/out as per the driver's requirement
When both rake and reach adjustments are incorporated, it makes for a tailormade driving position
12V Power Outlets
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This socket provides current to a cigarette lighter style 12 volt plug
It helps charge smartphones, tablets, laptops, rechargeable batteries and other USB chargers. It also powers a compressor that inflates tyres and the humble cigarette lighter!
Lighting
Headlights
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Light on Vanity Mirrors
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A lamp that's located around the vanity mirror behind the sun visor
Rear Reading Lamp
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Glovebox Lamp
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Headlight Height Adjuster
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Allows adjustment to the height of the headlight beams via a switch on the dashboard
Locks & Security
Engine Immobiliser
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A security device that prevents the engine from being started unless the key is present
Central Locking
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This feature let's one unlock all the doors remotely or with a key
Speed Sensing Door Lock
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This feature automatically locks the car's doors when it reaches a preset speed
A convenient feature for those who can't remember to lock the doors
Child Safety Lock
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Such locks are built into the rear doors to prevent rear seat occupants from opening the doors
Doors, Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
Power Windows
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When the car's windows can be raised/lowered by pressing a button/switch
In emergencies where the power window electronics have jammed, exit the vehicle by kicking out the windscreen
Adjustable ORVMs
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Different ways of adjusting the door mirror to suit the driver's requirement
Tremendously aids driving judgement in a variety of tight situations.
Turn Indicators on ORVMs
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Turn indicators are fitted to the door mirrors for improved visibility
Rear Defogger
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A feature that removes condensed water droplets from the rear windscreen to improve visibility
Turning air recirculation off helps gain faster results.
Exterior Door Handles
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Rain-sensing Wipers
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When the system detects water droplets on the windshield, it activates the wipers to improve driver visibility
This feature can be intrusive especially while you are negotiating a tricky bend at a higher speed
Interior Door Handles
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Door Pockets
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Bootlid Opener
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The various methods of opening the boot lid
Entertainment, Information & Communication
Integrated (in-dash) Music System
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The music player that comes factory fitted
Speakers
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Number of speaker units as part of a car’s surround-sound system
Steering-mounted controls
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The widely-used controls are placed on the steering wheel to ease driver usage
Bluetooth Compatibility
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Allows devices with bluetooth functionality connect wirelessly to the car's infotainment system
Using Bluetooth functionality offers a cable-free experience
AUX Compatibility
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The car's music player can play tracks off a portable device via an aux cable
Bluetooth can make AUX cables look ancient, but unlike the former, there's hardly any loss in sound quality
AM/FM Radio
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Is the music system's capability of playing broadcasted radio channels
If radio signals are weak, one can stream music
USB Compatibility
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When tracks can be played from a USB/pen drive
Head Unit Size
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The size of the music system fitted to a car. Traditionally 1-DIN or 2-DIN, are being replaced by touchscreen units of varying sizes.
iPod Compatibility
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DVD Playback
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The capability of the infotainment system to play DVDs
Storage
Cup Holders
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Seats & Upholstery
Seat Upholstery
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When it's time to replace, use a fabric that grips and are inherently cool to the touch
Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel
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Leather not only grips your palms well, but it also offers a premium feel
Driver Armrest
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The armrest located between the front passengers which helps comfort the driver's arm while driving
Rear Armrest
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Split Rear Seat
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Sections of the rear seat are capable of being folded down separately
This function bumps up practicality as the boot space increases when required.
Front Seatback Pockets
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The pockets behind the front seats which help rear seat occupants store their stuff
Headrests
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The portion extending from or fixed to the seat that supports the head
Instrumentation
Instantaneous Consumption
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It indicates how much fuel is being used that very instant your car is moving
Trip Meter
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Average Fuel Consumption
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The amount of fuel consumed by the engine (kmpl) is displayed on the instrument cluster in real time
A glance will help you maintain better fuel efficiency and save money
Average Speed
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The total distance traveled divided by the time taken to cover that distance
The higher the average speed, the quicker you were on that journey/trip
Distance to Empty
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The approximate distance a car will run with the amount of fuel remaining in the tank
Clock
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Low Fuel Level Warning
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This alert should be taken as a final warning to head straight to the fuel pump
Door Ajar Warning
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A warning light that pops up on the instrument cluster when the doors are not shut properly
Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty (In Years)
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The automaker can void the vehicle's warranty if the owner has fitted aftermarket components.
Warranty (In Kilometres)
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The automaker can void the vehicle's warranty if the owner has fitted aftermarket components.
Areas of improvement
I used Skoda Octavia Ambient 2.0 (petrol) nearly for 6 years. On highways (when it runs), it's a KING. It's perfect vehicle for newly built National Highways or roads like NICE road outskirts of Bangalore. Even at 150Kmph+ the car goes just smooth and safe. Braking system is excellent and ABS really does work! One can almost take any kind of turn virtually at 80+Kmph. So, when it runs I'd only like to drive Skoda.
BUT, when it does not run, i.e. you have even a minor breakdown, then you had it! Especially in Bangalore I found servicing experience consistently worst, on following counts.
(a) Usually unavailable service slots at your preference
(b) Pickup/drop facility has never been serviced at promised time.
(c) Spare part AND service charges are just HUGE. In fact I used to complain if my car was serviced by Czech technicians.
(d) Many a times the service folks would not address all the problems reported and still give the car back indicating it's completely serviced
(e) Once handed over to the service station, you would NEVER EVER get any proactive intimation on the timeline, schedule and delivery time. You have to make almost 4-5 calls each time to obtain this information.
(f) In 6 years, only once the car was given back on the same day.
(g) They'd tell the spare part available/unavailable only after you drop the car for servicing. Which means you really can not plan anything until the car really comes back to you.
(h) There is no respect to customer. Even the service managers have been used to give misleading information and defend whatever Skoda has done.
(i) Last but not the least, if you try to escalate your dissatisfaction then following is how Skoda "handles" it. Say you go directly to Skoda WW, then they would promptly put it as India Skoda problem and would pass it on to Skoda India. Skoda India customer relationship manager or team would promptly put back the problem onto the dealer. So, even after escalating you are efficiently looped back to the same person or team against whom you may have escalated! This the way things have been working at least in Bangalore.
I spent almost 30-35% of the onroad price I paid for this car on servicing in 5-6 years, which is IMHO a HUGE amount and completely unjustifiable.
So, needless to say that I sold it off and leading much happier life since then.
Sturdy body, strong metal, very high stability, smooth shockabsConsistent pathetic experience in servicing