Skoda

Skoda has lived in 3 eras. The first as an independent car brand before the war, the next under the clutches of the communists and the third as a company in the Volkswagen group.

Car abroad - long-term rental or ownership?

Posted 26/10/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

Like many other Norwegians, we live abroad for part of the year. I wonder which car solution is best for a married couple with a dog. Buy, rent – or bring your Norwegian car?

The terrace door is open

It is 29 degrees outside despite the fact that it is the end of October. The restaurants still serve meals outdoors. We are not the only Scandinavians in this small French town. Most people here have a car. Some have bought their own car while others rent. There is no exact answer to what is best for everyone. It's about taste and pleasure, and not always as much about kroner and øre. I have collected some points that speak in favor and against different options.

Limitations of the stay abroad

There are rules for how long you can stay abroad without losing your rights in the Norwegian health system: A maximum of 12 consecutive months or 6 months per year during the last 2 years. In addition, the travel insurance limits the duration of the stay, depending on the agreement you have with your company. We have a maximum length of 10 weeks on our insurance.

- I recognize you!

It is always nice to be recognized as a customer. The man at the rental car counter said they have thousands of visitors. Still, they recognized me. "I come here quite often", I replied modestly. Regardless of the loyalty program the rental company has, renting a car becomes an expensive affair for private individuals. If you add up the rental price for a couple of years, you could buy a usable car.

Long-term rental or ownership?

Our holiday home is located 2 hours by car from Barcelona. We travel there twice a year, autumn and spring, and live there for 2 months at a time to make sure we keep our membership in Folketrygden. We have three obvious options: Fly and long-term car hire locally, buy a car locally or drive a car from Norway

Solution	: )	🙁
Flights and rental car	Waives responsibility for car while in Norway. Failure to follow up on maintenance.	Rental prices are variable and can be very high. Can be charged for damages and cleaning.
Buying a car abroad	Always have access to a car. Family and friends can borrow the same car.	Must bear all costs of owning a car. Costs are incurred regardless of the degree of use.
Drive a car from Norway	Eliminates costs for a local car. Can use a bigger and safer car.	Expensive and time-consuming car travel. Winter tire problem.

Parking

A prerequisite for buying a car abroad is that the car has its own parking space. If you do not have your own parking space, you must rent a garage or parking space to get your car off the street while you are in Norway. At the airport in Barcelona - and probably elsewhere too - you can rent parking on an annual basis near the airport. Renting year-round parking costs around NOK 10 per year.

EU controls

If you travel abroad a couple of times a year, you will certainly be able to have an EU inspection (CT) of your foreign car carried out while you are in the country. But you can also run the risk of being prevented from traveling during the months in which the check can be carried out. It's worse if you've taken yours Norwegian car for long-term stays abroad. Namely, you cannot take EU control of your Norwegian car in Spain or France.

Covid

When countries close their borders, as in the case of the latest Covid pandemic, most people wish they didn't own a car abroad. After two years, it is not certain that the car will start. It must be serviced, and you get two years of loss in value on the purchase. Any gain from owning rather than renting can be eaten up if you are prevented from travelling.

New or old car

The costs of owning a car abroad can be reduced by buying a slightly older car. As long as you avoid the premium brands, a workshop stay does not cost as much as in Norway. The disadvantage of an older car is that small but annoying problems can easily appear after it has been standing for a few months. Not so dangerous if you can fix small things yourself and can leave the car for a couple of days. Bigger problem if the car is parked at the airport. The loss in value on a new car is relatively high, but is taken from reality. Being a foreigner is probably a disadvantage when selling locally.

Consider different rental arrangements

You cannot count on any kind of discount when you normally rent for a long time, but most rental car companies offer long-term rentals where you pay per month, for example from NOK 4-6 (Europcar, Sixt+). In addition, an initiation fee may apply. Now you can draw car subscription also in Spain and France, for example via beep. Common to long-term rentals is that you have to book well in advance.

Avoid renting at peak

The prices at the rental car companies are controlled by demand. Renting a car during Easter week can therefore cost more than double the "normal" price. At the airport in Barcelona, prices can rise, for example, when FC Barcelona plays a big game at home. You can save a lot of money by checking the price picture week by week and avoid renting a car when the prices are at their peak. In practice, this means handing in the car before prices rise and picking up a new one when prices have fallen. Then you can become a "regular" at the counter 🙂

Share a car with others?

Given that you only spend a few months abroad each year, it can be a win-win for all parties to let others use (rent) the car when you cannot yourself. The person who owns the car can earn some of the car's maintenance. The car also benefits from regular use. Renting from acquaintances can be a nice supplement to long-term renting from car rental companies.

Drive yourself – with which tyres?

With today's flight prices, you save nothing by driving from Norway - on the contrary. But the trip can be a positive experience. Maybe you can choose different routes? One of the biggest problems is if you are going to stay abroad in autumn and spring. If you go down in August and return home in November, you may risk that it has become wintery at home in the meantime. You can also run the risk of getting into trouble in Germany where they have a winter tire mandate that applies in wintry driving conditions - generally between October and Easter.

Traveling with a dog

Dog as travel luggage has worked well for us (thanks to Norwegian). Without a dog, we could have taken the fast train on from Barcelona Sants, but unfortunately they do not accept our dog size on board. Then a car is the only alternative - but which companies accept dogs? Sixt does it. The company we used loyally in the past, Europcar, forbids dogs in their cars. Too bad, because Europcar's prices are cheaper. Hertz has a slightly unclear policy. They ban dogs on their low-cost company, Thrifty, while officially giving a conditional permission to bring dogs on Hertz - but according to customer feedback, customer service agents get the final say - and it's often "no". A dog makes owning a car more attractive than long-term renting.

Economic considerations

Take these considerations with a grain of salt! It is only intended as an indication of what a car abroad can cost. Insurance is not included in the overview.

Ordinary rental car
Per month based on a rental period of 2 months: NOK 13
Example is based on renting a Skoda Kamiq from Sixt in Barcelona in early 2023. Prices can vary enormously!

Long-term rental
Per month based on a rental period of 2 months: NOK 6
Assumed share of establishment costs: NOK 1
Example is based on long-term rental of Skoda Kamiq from Sixt+ in Barcelona in early 2023. The solution is in the initial phase for Barcelona.

Buy a new car for year-round use 12 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month: NOK 2
Estimated service cost per month: NOK 150
Estimated capital cost per month: NOK 600
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 240, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 120% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

Buy a new car that is only used 4 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month in use: NOK 6
Estimated service cost per month in use: NOK 450
Estimated capital cost per month in use: NOK 1
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 240, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 120% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

Buy an older car for year-round use 12 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month: NOK 1
Estimated service cost per month: NOK 300
Estimated capital cost per month: NOK 300
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 120, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 60% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

Buy an older car that is used for only 4 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month in use: NOK 3
Estimated service cost per month in use: NOK 900
Assumed capital cost per month in use: NOK 900
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 120, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 60% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

NAV is included

Holiday home and pensioner - or opportunity to work from abroad? Do you think 6 months per year is too little? Check this out!

Out of the last 2 years, you can stay abroad for up to 12 months without being deregistered from the National Insurance. That means less than 6 months on average per year.

Can you stay longer? What can happen? Who cares?

I have been told that NAV can identify you as the owner/part owner of a home abroad. It is the which allows you to end up in the spotlight. Insight into the movements of your bank accounts and flight history reveals the length of time you lived abroad. As far as I know, no systematic checks are carried out on people with houses abroad, but checks are occasionally carried out in connection with payments from NAV/Folketrygden. If it is discovered that the rules for stays abroad have been broken, you may risk losing social security or having to pay your own health expenses.

See

Skoda MB – popular model with rear engine

Posted 15/05/2022 by Anders de Lange

Cars from Skoda were very popular in Norway in the 1950s and 1960s. The reason was that there were few restrictions on the sale of cars produced in Eastern Europe in contrast to cars from Western Europe.

Landed under communist leadership

Skoda is a car brand with proud traditions and which celebrated its 100th anniversary as a car manufacturer in 2005. As with most car factories that started at the beginning of the 1900th century, things went slowly, but production increased because other car factories were bought up. By the end of the 1920s, Skoda had become a well-known and well-established car manufacturer in its home country. But with a small domestic market and limited exports, the number of cars produced was not very large. After the Communists took power in Czechoslovakia in 1948, car production was controlled by the authorities in the country. The car models were modernized to be able to compete in the major car markets.

The MB series takes shape

In 1964, Skoda introduced a completely new model with a rear engine. It was probably the great success of Volkswagen that influenced the development of this model. The name of the new model became the Skoda MB 1000, which started life with 40 horses in the engine compartment. The driving characteristics were not quite good, mostly due to the rear axle construction. The heavy engine in the stern did not improve the situation. The advantages were a large and spacious compartment with 4 doors. More horses were put into the engine in 1968, while the volume was increased to 1107 ccm. The models received new designations such as Skoda 105, Skoda 120 and Skoda 125 in 1976. The new models were based on the previous models but with a number of improvements. The radiator was placed in the front for better cooling. The petrol tank was moved and placed under the rear seat to improve safety. The most important thing was probably that the bodywork had had its design changed so that the car "lost" some of its striking rear engine design. Now disc brakes on the front wheels were also standard. The driving characteristics were improved in 1985 when the rear wheels received new suspension.

The end of stern engines

From 1989, the model selection was simplified and the last cars were produced in January 1990. That was the end of a popular and durable car model.

Facts Skoda MB series

Length: 420 cm
Width: 161 cm
Height: 140 cm
Top speed: 140 km/h
Engine: 1174 ccm, 52 hp (varies by model).

Skoda commercial with John Haugland

See

Exciting car history from Anders de Lange's archives

Skoda Kamiq

Posted 08/04/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

I had ordered a Volkswagen T-Cross or similar vehicle. The customer manager at Sixt showed me three other cars that I could choose from.

The qualification of the election

Citroen C3 Aircross, Opel Crossland or Skoda Kamiq? Since I have already written about the C3 Aircross, the choice should fall between Opel and Kamiq. I chose the latter because it looks better. Much better. Parked in front of a C3 Aircross, I see that the two cars are actually the same size, but the Kamiq looks bigger because of its squared-off shapes.

A sensible car class

The class "high-built small cars" or crossovers is a wise choice. You get the small car's advantages in terms of price, consumption and ease of parking. In addition, you get more space, a better overview and perhaps a little more protection in a collision. But this car class consists of many models. From the Volkswagen group, in addition to the T-Cross and Kamiq, comes the Seat Arona and the Audi Q2 (which is now no longer produced). From Stellantis comes the C3 Aircross, Opel Crossland and Mokka, as well as the Peugeot 2008. The Renault group has the Captur, Nissan Juke and Dacia Sandero. All give a lot of car for the money.

Good traction in a small engine

In Spain, where our car belongs, the Kamiq is delivered with either the 1,0 TSI 95 HP or the relatively new 1,0 TSI EVO 110 HP which meets the Euro 6D requirements. Previously, the Volkswagen Group's "big" 1-litre engine produced 115/116 HP. I doubt that anyone will really notice the loss of power. It is actually quite impressive how good the pull the small engines provide. This applies to the engines from all three car groups mentioned.

No success in Norway

Terjesbiler.no don't drive cars to test them. We drive cars because we need them, then I write about the experiences I have had. Since the cars are rented under normal conditions, I have full journalistic freedom to discuss the cars. The downside is that I don't always get to drive the cars that are popular at the moment - and popular cars in them Southern Europe are rarely as popular in Norway. So also with "my" Skoda Kamiq. It has been removed from the model program in Norway. During the three years it was on sale, only 255 cars were registered. Møller Bil has also stopped taking in Fabia - a shame...

Easy to like

I won't hide that I like Kamiq. It is big enough for a normal family. There is plenty of space in the back seat even when two adult men sit behind each other, thanks to the high seating position and long wheelbase. The luggage space is 400 liters with a small extra room under the floor. One of the things I like the most is the look. The car looks damn great!

Which engine?

When I pick up a new rental car for the first time, I never check what kind of engine it has. As a rule, I manage to guess correctly during the two hours it takes to drive from the airport in Barcelona to our little house in France. But this time I had to check the vehicle license. Was it the engine with 95 HP or the new one with 110? Traction at highway speeds was nothing to complain about. The acceleration from low speeds, on the other hand, required you to be hard on the gas to get any effect. Then the 3-cylinder engine buzzed with the same pinging sound as when you fasten a piece of cardboard with a clothespin against the bicycle spokes. Once up to highway speed, the engine noise died down.

Is 95 horses enough?

The engine in "my" Skoda Kamiq is 1,0 TSI 95 HP with a 5-speed manual gearbox. This engine option was never sold in Norway. I believe that a car like the Kamiq deserves the 110-horsepower engine, but am still impressed by how well the 95-horsepower coped with busy Spanish motorway speeds - both in terms of traction between 100-120 km/h and the pleasant soundscape. Another positive surprise was the fuel consumption. An average consumption of just 0,44 litres/10 km measured over 200 km on Spanish motorways at around 120 km/h is not bad. On mountain roads and winding country roads, everything worked well as long as I drove calmly. But if I had wanted to drive a little more actively or "inspired", I would have wanted more power and a slightly quicker response to pick up the engine from low revs.

The competitors

But even if the Skoda Kamiq looks good, it is not a premium car. On Finn.no there is currently a demo car for sale for 339 with the Volkswagen Group's new 000 TSI EVO of 1,0 HP. With the 110-speed DSG, you get a lot of car for the money - both in terms of space and comfort - compared to other fossil and hybrid cars. A well-equipped, duty-free Peugeot e-7 or Opel Mokka-e costs somewhat less, and is probably the reason why cars like the Kamiq sold poorly in Norway.

Watch out for the following

So that this doesn't become a Skoda advertisement, I'll take a look at things you should look out for if you're considering buying a Skoda Kamiq. Most of the cars taken in have a 115/116 HP 1,0 liter engine with a 7-speed DSG. When I previously drove the sister model Audi Q2 with this drivetrain, I noted that the car "lapped" strongly when starting quickly from a standstill - for example when filling a gap in roundabouts. I think I could have done a better job with manual transmission. Also check that the DSG gearbox shifts smoothly. The clutch in new DSG gearboxes is more prone to wear and tear due to incorrect use than before, which I have experienced in Southern European rental cars.

Facts about the Skoda Kamiq

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 424 x 179 x 156 cm
Wheelbase: 264 cm
Net weight: 1241 kg (without driver)
Payload: 420 kg
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 1000 kg (1200 for cars with a larger engine).
– without brakes: 620 kg
Roof load: 75 kg

Drivetrain
Petrol engine: Transverse 1,0 TSI 3 cyl.
Power: 95 HP @ 5000-5500 revs
Torque: 175 Nm @ 1600-3500 revs
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Front wheel drive

Performances
Top speed: 183 km/h
0-100: 11,2 seconds

consumption
WLTP combined: 0,47-0,48 litres/10 km
Own measurements:
– 200 km motorway: 0,44 litres/10 km
– 29 km mountain roads: 0,63 litres/10 km

Luggage compartment
As a five-seater: 400 litres

Tires
Size: 205/60R16 92V
Type: Summer tire
Brand: Kuhmo Ecowing (quiet)

About the car
Place of production: Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
Colour: Candy White
Equipment level: Ambiente
Price: Not sold in Norway
Leased by Sixt BCN Airport
Model: 2021
Mileage: 15000
Km driven: 679
Source: skoda.de

Skoda Kamiq pictures

If you live in France, you must of course choose the French language in the car

Well done. Fully fueled and ready for delivery at Sixt.

Good luggage space that accommodates a dog cage for our little dachshund and a suitcase. Sixt allows dogs in the car.

See

c3 aircross — Citroen C3 Aircross has become more grown up

How we test the cars

Long delivery time for a new car?

Posted 13/11/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

Chip shortages and high demand are to blame for long delivery times on some new car models. Is it worth waiting for your dream car? Here are the moments you should keep in mind.

Delivery times of a year or more

If you are looking for a new family electric car, you have probably considered the Skoda Enyaq iV80X. It ticks relevant boxes such as: Range, space, four-wheel drive and trailer hitch. When we drove the Enyaq earlier this year, we concluded that it was among the best. This is a car we can really recommend. The downside is the delivery time. It is 12 months, more specifically Christmas to next year.

Great uncertainty

The fact that the delivery time depends on subcontractors creates uncertainty. Another factor that makes the delivery time uncertain is that the factory may favor certain models at the expense of others. This can happen while you wait. As far as Skoda is concerned, it may also happen that the parent company – the Volkswagen Group – chooses to prioritize other brands within the same group. The uncertainty can go both ways. If the manufacturer wants to prioritize your car, the delivery time may be shorter than estimated.

When the queue suddenly disappears

We've seen it before. Following the launches of models such as the Opel Ampera-e, Hyundai Kona and Tesla Model 3, long delivery times occurred due to high demand. It was the production of the battery packs that was the official cause. Then a strange queuing phenomenon arose. Many had been on a waiting list for over a year to get their new car. At the same time as they received their cars, brand new customers could have cars delivered almost the same day they signed the contract. The phenomenon can perhaps be explained by the fact that production manages to "run in" when the shortage is resolved. Besides, new, better models are constantly appearing that attract new customers.

Like a pyramid scheme

When a reputable car manufacturer announces the upcoming launch of a new car with a long range, plenty of space and four-wheel drive, there can be a lot to gain from pre-ordering before seeing the car. If you wait until the car is available for a test drive and has received rave reviews in the press, the orders pile up. The first to order will benefit from that. The car they receive will be able to be resold without loss of value in the first year. Those last in the order queue risk becoming losers.

What can be lost by waiting?

We should not forget that a purchase contract is a right - a place in the queue to buy a coveted car. But it is also a "hostage situation". A lot can happen in a year. These are turbulent times. Anyone can lose their income base, become ill, experience a break-up or change in their family situation such that they no longer need the car that they have signed a contract for.

But let's focus on the financial side. If the delivery time extends beyond the turn of the year to 2023, the politicians will probably have decided to introduce taxes on electric cars – initially value added tax. If you depend on selling the old car, it can present problems, especially when you don't know when the new car will arrive. It can also be difficult for the car dealer to give a trade-in price that will be binding in one year. If you are forced to sell quickly, you can lose tens of thousands of kroner. One solution many choose is to sell the car early and rent a car while you wait. Several companies have specialized in this. In any case, it represents an additional cost.

Include delivery time in the assessment!

We mentioned that the Skoda Enyaq iV80X ticks relevant boxes such as: Range, space, four-wheel drive and trailer hitch. Perhaps one should also add delivery time as a property? If we therefore add delivery time as a fifth requirement, the Skoda Enyaq iV80X ticks 4 out of 5 boxes. Which other models tick 4 out of 5 boxes – given that the boxes are equal and you can do without one?

New cars that can be delivered now

We have carried out a search on Finn.no for new and "used" cars with negligible mileage for sale from brand dealers. Be aware that parallel-imported cars may have different warranty conditions than Norwegian cars. It is not certain that the dealer states that the car is parallel-imported. Also make sure that you get cars with the "correct" battery pack and equipment - that is, of the same type that is brought in via normal imports. Heat exchangers and preheating of battery packs do not have to be standard in all markets.





Modell
Antall
Rekkevidde *)
Plass
4WD
Hengerfeste **)
Levering ***)


BYD Tang
18
-
X
X
X
X

Jaguar I-Pace
24
-
X
X
X
X

Fiat 500
58
-
-
-
-
X

Hyundai Kona 64kwh
58
X
-
-
-
X

Hyundai e-Niro 64kwh
58
X
X
-
X
X

KIA Soul 64kwh
58
X
-
-
-
X

Maxus Euniq
17
-
X
-
-
X

Nissan Leaf
38
-
-
-
-
X

Peugeot e2008
8
-
X
-
X
X

Skoda Enyaq iV80
8
X
X
-
X
X

Tesla Model 3 SR
18
-
-
-
X
X

Tesla Model 3 LR
20
X
-
X
X
X

Xpeng G3
4
-
X
-
-
X

Modell	Antall	Rekkevidde *)	Plass	4WD	Hengerfeste **)	Levering ***)
BYD Tang	18	-	X	X	X	X
Jaguar I-Pace	24	-	X	X	X	X
Fiat 500	58	-	-	-	-	X
Hyundai Kona 64kwh	58	X	-	-	-	X
Hyundai e-Niro 64kwh	58	X	X	-	X	X
KIA Soul 64kwh	58	X	-	-	-	X
Maxus Euniq	17	-	X	-	-	X
Nissan Leaf	38	-	-	-	-	X
Peugeot e2008	8	-	X	-	X	X
Skoda Enyaq iV80	8	X	X	-	X	X
Tesla Model 3 SR	18	-	-	-	X	X
Tesla Model 3 LR	20	X	-	X	X	X
Xpeng G3	4	-	X	-	-	X

*) Range requirement – over 500 km in summer driving based on this article published in NAF.no
**) Trailer attachment requirements – be able to tow a trailer of at least 750 kg
***) Cars in stock for sale at Finn.no. If there are cars in stock on Finn.no, there are probably more in the dealer network. We have also searched for "ready-built" cars Tesla.com.

Jaguar I-Pace - a model not on the list.

If we count the number of ticked boxes, we see that BYD Tang, Jaguar I-Pace, KIA Niro, Skoda Enyaq iv80 and Tesla 3 LR tick 4 out of 5 boxes. These competitors have short delivery times, but BYD and Jaguar do not meet the range requirement – the KIA Niro and Skoda Enyaq iV80 do not have 4-wheel drive and the Tesla 3 LR has too little space to be called a family car. The compact cars KIA Soul and Hyundai Kona have good ranges, but can only tow feather-light trailers. These models have been on the market for a long time, and have a relatively short delivery time as many are in stock or can be ordered from the boats.

Other models

Volkswagen ID.4 GTX
We mentioned that the delivery time for the Skoda Enyaq iV80X is 12 months. This is what Skoda dealers are quoting right now. Volkswagen states the delivery time for the ID.4 GTX to be 5 months - i.e. by the summer holidays 2022. However, the ID.4 GTX is technically identical to the Enyaq iV80X. The two models use the same data chips and should thus have had equally long delivery times. Since several models are now increasing their delivery times, it is not unexpected if Volkswagen is forced to reconsider its delivery times.

Chinese cars
It seems that Chinese models are not as badly affected by the supply shortage of data chips as Western models. This applies to models such as BYD Tang, Maxus Euniq, Polestar 2 and Xpeng G3. Many people are currently skeptical about buying Chinese car brands. The ongoing supply crisis for Western car brands may make more people choose Chinese.

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Tesla has developed a large production facility in Shanghai, China, which from this summer will supply cars to Norway. They have stated that they have recently changed the software so that it can use other data chips - probably supplied by Chinese subcontractors. Tesla has deliveries to Norway every quarter. One can only hope that the cars with new chips and new software do not have children's diseases when they arrive in Norway. Tesla has simple configurations - few options - which makes it easy to choose cars from stock or fleet.

How to deal with the delivery time

Sitting on the fence?
One way to deal with the delivery time is not to sign a contract until the queue is gone. It sounds like wishful thinking, but in several previous cases it has been shown that queues disappear quickly. When the Tesla 3 was launched, the delivery time was approximately 9 months. If you waited until "everyone" had received, you could get a car with a short delivery time - several cars were even in stock from buyers who had withdrawn. You don't get the car faster than others by sitting on the fence, but you get it almost as quickly - and you don't have to make any long-term commitments.

Sell your old car in good time!
Not all car dealers dare to give a trade-in price one year in advance. If you are dependent on selling the old car even before you get the new one - for example due to a parking situation or cash flow - it pays to sell the car well before the new one arrives. It often takes several weeks to sell a car. If you are forced into a quick sale, drop the price. You can lose several tens of thousands on that. Be aware that professional buyers know how to take advantage of "must sell" situations. In the time from when the old car is delivered until the new car arrives, you can rent a car. There are several companies that specialize in short-term rental to private individuals. Here, the dealer may have solutions, for example by accepting trade-in cars at once and arranging a rental car during the waiting period.

Be in dialogue with the dealer!
While you are waiting for a new car, you should be in constant contact with the dealer. Dealers with good routines and systems ensure that customers are kept informed on an ongoing basis. If not, you should check the status with your contact person via email or phone at least a couple of times during the waiting period. If your salesperson has left the company, you may have to find a new contact person yourself. There are examples of car buyers having delayed delivery due to confusion in the dealer's ranks.

Skoda Octavia iV plug-in hybrid

Posted 28/08/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

Not only is the new Skoda Octavia iV based on the same platform as the Golf 8 – it has also inherited Volkswagen's proven plug-in hybrid solutions. We have driven the smallest drive unit – the one that gives a total of 204 HP. If you choose the Octavia iV RS, you get a more powerful drive unit of 245 HP.

Proven hybrid solution

We recognize the hybrid drivetrain from earlier models of Audi and Volkswagen. Today, the battery capacity has been increased to 13 Kwh compared to the previous 8,8. The improvement is a result of changed cell chemistry without it having been necessary to increase the physical dimensions of the battery case. Increased battery capacity gives longer range in electric mode. The new Audi A3 40 TFSI e and Volkswagen Golf 1.4 eHybrid 204 both have the same battery pack as the Octavia. Their stated range is 65 km measured according to WLTP. The figures given for the Octavia are not as clear. The brochure material suggests a range of "more than 50 km (WLTP)". The wording is not crazy, and can be defended with the fact that practical range can vary widely in practice. But one can also suspect that the cautious estimate is due to Skoda not having access to upgraded technology or having to intervene in the software. However, everything suggests that Skoda actually shares the same technology.

the skoda is rechargeable — The Golf class has today become middle class

look and feel

Octavia has a more conventional and traditional shape than the other models on the same platform. The new front is lower and wider. The lines are sharper – especially in the rear – without raising eyebrows. You sense a car that is practical and unfussy - bordering on the trustworthy. Also inside. Good seats with good lateral support, digital instruments and centrally positioned infotainment system. Like the Enyaq, the dashboard is covered in fabric from the interior. It provides a cozy and homely atmosphere. All handles are where you would expect to find them. The gear lever has been replaced with an electronic switch that works like a PRND automatic gear lever. The infotainment system is functionally "in the middle of the tree". We found the radio and necessary settings easily. The functions of the trip computer are operated from the steering wheel levers. Here, too, I found what I needed. But why does Skoda need to create its own user interfaces? Can't Wolfsburg make one good user interface for all its brands?

rechargeable octavia — Sharp lines in the stern without anyone raising an eyebrow

On the road

Behind the wheel, I take note of how easy the Octavia is to steer - even on highways. A little too light for my taste. It tightens a little when you select Sport mode, but I still chose to keep Normal mode. I saw no need to choose either Comfort or Eco. The undercarriage is the same as the Golf 8 and can be delivered with an adaptive undercarriage. As expected, the car sits well on the road and swallows bumps perfectly. The soundscape is characterized by rumbling from the road and air whistling. No annoying noises.

Depending on current

There is enough power. But to bring all the horses, there must be power on the batteries. When the petrol engine operates alone, you only experience high engine whirring without any particular boost. At speed, the car automatically switches to neutral when it is not under load. It both increases comfort and saves fuel - something I really like about this drivetrain. But that only happens when you have power on the batteries. Without power, the engine whirs constantly and sends vibrations into the car. Perhaps no worse than a regular petrol car, but certainly a deterioration in perceived comfort.

octavia iv — Digital instruments. Paddles on the steering wheel to shift manually.

Self-charging

We set off with an almost empty battery. The car then automatically switches from electric operation to hybrid operation. During calm driving, enough energy was nevertheless regenerated for the electric motor to give boost during acceleration and let the car roll freely when the conditions were right for it. The point is that the car works fine as a self-charging hybrid if you choose not to charge - or don't have the opportunity to do so. On long journeys in hybrid mode, the car will slowly consume the electricity in the batteries, but there will almost always be enough electricity to take advantage of the hybrid drive.

Not suitable for charging along the road

Unfortunately, hybrid cars like this do not have the option of fast charging. If we had chosen to charge the batteries via Type2 cable, we would have had to wait for over 3 hours. The charging speed is limited to 3,6 kw. This not only makes it inappropriate to charge along the road – it also makes it disproportionately expensive. Hybrid cars must not be charged en route. Charging is done either at home or at the workplace. With a normal socket, you can charge with 2,3 kw. It then takes 5 hours to fully charge.

Battery for work – petrol for the cabin

Acceleration with proper boost and better comfort at speed is hardly a good enough reason to justify the additional price for a plug-in hybrid. You will only get the big benefits if you can make daily trips in e-mode. Most people actually can, but it depends on your charging capabilities. A private wall charger is the best, but with 2,3 kw charging current it works fine on its own 16A course. The advantage of being able to drive on electricity is not just about money, but also about comfort. Most people who have a hybrid car prefer to drive in e-mode.

Practical consumption

The fuel consumption measured according to WLTP does not correspond to reality, as most of the test is run on the battery. Our consumption over 93 km on country roads gave 0,45 liters per mile. It is completely realistic what you will get on a long drive - for example to the cabin in the mountains. If we had pre-charged for our trip, we could have driven in e-mode half way. With the hybrid on trips, I usually drive in hybrid mode and switch to pure electric mode for the last few kilometers on the way home to run the battery flat and connect it to electricity at home in the garage.

Practical range

We have not been able to drive a fully charged battery in e-mode and therefore have to base ourselves on the predecessor's, which had a range of 50 km. Daily driving along the Store ringvei in Oslo then gave us real ranges of between 30 and 40 km. Under optimal conditions we could get up to 45 km. If you add a few extra km for Octavia's upgraded battery pack, the expected practical range could be between 40-50 km.

Regenerative braking

There are many factors which mean that the practical range varies a lot. An important reason is how regenerative braking is implemented and used. On the gear lever, you can switch between "D" and "S". "S" is for Sport, but when you lift up the gas, regenerative braking - or artificial engine braking as it is also called - is activated. Skoda has created 3 optional solutions. "Strong" or "Weak" braking mode - or "Normal". The car then finds a braking pattern in relation to the car's movement, what it sees on the camera and interpretation of the road map - a link towards self-driving cars. Sometimes it worked perfectly, other times poorly. I felt it ruined the flow of driving, especially down roads with poor road markings and towards temporary roundabouts. I find weak, constant regenerative braking worked best.

Powerful assistant systems

"Our" car had several driver assistance systems. Travel assist takes over the steering if you are reckless and cut corners through an S-bend. Adaptive lane assist ensures that you don't leave your lane without blinking. When you drive on a poorly marked road, the car's computer gets confused but still scares you with a loud "pling" that you have to lie down in the middle of the lane. Taste and comfort. I usually disable such functions myself. Fortunately, Skoda does not make self-driving cars.

Place

The Golf platform gets bigger with each generation. Generation 8 has the wheelbase of a full-fledged family car. The space between the rows of seats is good. The luggage compartment of rechargeable hybrids is 150 liters less than other variants, more precisely 490 liters – or 1550 liters with the rear seats folded down. It is on par with the Audi A4 station wagon. The hybrid solution steals space in height. There is a small compartment under the floor just inside the rear door for small items. It is possible to mount a towbar and you can tow a trailer up to 1500 kg.

skoda hybrid — Nice in the back seat too. Toddler-friendly surfaces.

Safety

The Skoda Octavia was tested by Euro Ncap in 2019. They then tested a 1.5 TSI station wagon. It has no hybrid batteries. The result was 5/5 stars, 92% for adults and 88% for children. The biggest injuries were suffered by rear-seat passengers on the right side in a frontal collision, and the driver in a side collision with a pole. Both suffered chest injuries equivalent to "marginal". In comparison, the Volkswagen Golf 8 scored 95% for adults and 89% for children when it was tested in 2019. Here, too, rear-seat passengers on the right suffered the most damage in frontal collisions. Another "stablemate", the Audi A3, was tested in 2020 and scored 89% for adults and 81% for children. Here, children on the right side in the back seat suffered injuries. Euro/Ncap has also assessed and tested standard assistance systems.

Read the entire test from Euro/Ncap here

Conclusion

Last year at the same time, the Skoda Octavia was on the sales lists as the 7th most popular car model in Norway. After that, sales plummeted. The Volkswagen Group's first plug-in hybrid solution received a lot of attention when it was launched in 2014. Since then, it has been gradually improved, both in terms of quality and performance - and is now also in the Octavia iV station wagon. Skoda's strength is that it is the only station wagon with this drivetrain.

– The family option

octavia range — The trunk loses part of its height due to the hybrid solution. Still holds 490 litres.

Facts Skoda Octavia iV

Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 469 x 183 x 147 cm
Wheelbase: 268 cm
Net weight: 1545 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 1500 kg
- without brakes: 750 kg
Luggage compartment: 490 litres
Petrol tank: 40 litres
Roof load: 75 kg

Drivetrain
1,4 TSI 150 HP
Electric motor 109 HP
Total power: 204 HP
Battery pack: LC Chem with thermal management.
Gross battery capacity: 13 kwh
- net that can be used: 10,4 kwh
Engine: Front mounted
Gearbox: 6-speed DSG
Front wheel drive

Performances
Top speed: 220 km/h
0-100: 7,8 seconds

Consumption:
WLTP mixed driving: 0,10 litres/mile
Measured with low battery power: 0,45 litres/mile (road driving)

Range
WLTP: "More than 50 km" according to Skoda
Real range: 40 – 50 km

Cargo
Via house socket 2,3 Kw: 5 hours
Via Type2 cable 3,6 K: 3,5 hours

Tires
Size: 225/45R18 91Y
Type: Summer
Brand: Goodyear Eagle F1

Price
Skoda Octavia iV Style: 456 100
Quartz Gray Metallic: 6
Leather/artificial leather: 9
Sound System: 7 (should be considered)
DCC Adaptive suspension: 10 (should be considered)

About the car
Place of production: Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
Owner: Hire
Rented via the Hyre app
Model: 2021
Mileage: New
Km driven: 93
Source: skoda.no, vegvesen.no

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Skoda Enyaq iV80 – On par with the best

Posted 15/07/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

The Skoda Enyaq is based on the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform - the same platform as, among other things, the ID.4. Our Enyaq was equipped with a 77 Kwh battery, rear-wheel drive and a long range.

Doesn't look like any electric car

When I got to see the Enyaq for the first time, I had to look twice – once at the car and once to check if it had an electric car number plate. An aggressive front with a large grill and sharp profiles doesn't exactly signal an electric car, but Skoda deserves praise for its appearance. Enyaq is a new model that is on the wish list of many. I noticed several people looking at it while we were parked.

Long range

You get it in several editions. The Enyaq iV80 means you get a long range – the longest in the Enyaq range. You can also get models with smaller battery packs or with four-wheel drive that steal a few miles of range. Life with an electric car is much easier when you have a long range. The fact that the iV80 is rear-wheel drive may bring to mind cars of yesteryear with poor winter performance - those that were left spinning on the slopes. But the disadvantages of rear-wheel drive are offset by the good weight distribution provided by the location of the battery pack - low between the axles. Speaking of winter features: You'll love the Enyaq's long reach in the winter cold.

Actual range

Our driving route was 50-50 motorway and country road in a quiet driving pattern. Based on the number of km driven and remaining battery capacity, we could achieve a theoretical range of between 470 and 480 km on a hot summer day. Stated range is 528 km (WLTP).

The average consumption was 15,5 kwh/100 km. This is right up there with the best.

Internal

Skoda offers several different fittings for the Enyaq. Our decor is called "Loft" and consists of light gray furniture fabric and partial leather in the chairs. The dashboard and door linings were covered in the same fabric - well padded. Homey, although I doubt it can withstand the nagging of toddlers. But families with children will undoubtedly feel at home in the car. Not only is there plenty of space – there are several smart details that seem carefully thought out

Behind the wheel

The driver's seat in our car had electric seat adjustment and it was easy to find an optimal sitting position. The small driver's screen is located deep inside the dashboard. The infotainment system in the large center screen was easy to use - even for me who is starting to pull on the oars. However, the placement of the two screens took some getting used to as I moved my gaze between them. Maybe it's because I'm used to the screens being more aligned. Skoda can also deliver a head-up display on more expensive equipment packages.

Gearing is controlled electronically via a small gear lever lever with R, N, D and B for extra regenerative braking. There is no "park" position. The car automatically goes into neutral when you apply the electromechanical handbrake. The automatic transmission probably also locks, but I don't like to park a car on a steep hill without it being visibly in gear or "park".