2008 Skoda Octavia Comparo - Petrol vs. Diesel

The Octavia Elegance’s fabulous 2.0 litre TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) diesel engine. With 103kW and an impressive 320Nm available it’s an athletic performer, quiet and strong with enough pep to shame larger capacity petrol rivals. Torquey, linear acceleration comes freely after the inital lag which although minimal, is nonetheless noticeable and can be slightly obtrusive in peak hour traffic.

The DSG automatic does a fine job of keeping things on the boil once you’re up and moving, and is always in the right place at the right time. No hunting, minimal thinking, and short direct shifts make for smooth flowing power that works seamlessly to the input from your right foot.

Over the longer country stretches the diesel is a brilliant performer, it overtakes effortlessly and eats up mile after mile without so much as a hint of losing steam, but that initial turbo lag may become distracting to many drivers meaning this car is truly at its best cruising on the highway where lag issues are of little relevance.

The combined fuel consumption average for the week returned a decent 6.6 litres / 100km all up, slightly over the ADR test results of 6.0l and it’s worth noting that even under rigorous stop-start conditions, the TDI still managed to return a maximum of high 8s.

The petrol model was turbo-charged which gave us a much more flexible drive from a smaller capacity engine. Lay off the throttle and you’ve got all the economy benefits of a smaller capacity four cylinder, but stick the boot in and that punchy turbo springs to life, with surprising and effortless performance.

© Source: caradvice
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