Skoda has lifted the veils of the most versatile variant of the new Octavia lineup, the Scout jacked-up estate.
Riding 15 mm (0.6 in) higher than the regular Octavia Combi, the Scout comes equipped with the Rough-Road package as standard, including underbody protection. Previously offered exclusively with all-wheel drive, the Octavia Scout can now be had with front-wheel drive too.
The engine lineup consists of TDI turbo diesels and TSI turbo petrol units, topped by a new EVO-generation 2.0-liter TDI delivering 200 PS (197 HP) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque.
Watch: 2020 Skoda Octavia Combi Ticks All The Right Boxes
The most powerful diesel ever fitted to the Octavia Scout is offered with a standard 7-speed DSG transmission and AWD. Customers can also opt for a 2.0-liter TDI making 150 PS (148 HP) and a 190 PS (187 HP) 2.0-liter TSI – both offering the DSG gearbox and AWD as standard.
For those buyers who don’t really need all-wheel drive but could use the Scout’s raised ground clearance and beefier suspension, Skoda offers a 115 PS (113 HP) 2.0-liter TDI and a 150 PS (148 HP) 1.5-liter TSI equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. The petrol engine is also available as an E-Tec mild-hybrid featuring a 7-speed DSG.
Skoda says the 2020 Octavia Scout is suited to off-road driving in AWD guise and can be used to tow a caravan, horse box or boat trailer. With the range-topping 200 PS (197 HP) diesel engine, it can pull a braked trailer weighing up to 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs).
As with its predecessor, the Skoda Octavia Scout has a more rugged appearance than the regular Octavia Combi courtesy of unique front and rear bumpers with aluminum-look underbody protection as well as plastic body cladding on the wheel arches, side sills, and bottom of the doors.
The Scout comes with standard 18-inch Braga alloys or optional 19-inch Manaslu rims, with other model-specific details including a silver finish for the front spoiler lip, rear diffuser, and side mirrors, plus Scout badges on the front fenders. LED fog lights are standard while full-LED Matrix headlights can be had as an option.
Inside, the 2020 Skoda Octavia Scout gains chrome detailing on the door panels and handles, model-specific decorative trims on the dashboard, as well as ThermoFlux seats with Scout logos and contrasting Tabor Brown stitching. The latter is also present on the steering wheel, armrests and dashboard, with aluminum-finish pedals rounding out the package.
Skoda will launch the all-new Octavia Scout across European markets in autumn but more details about it will be released in early July.
