Skoda has unveiled a new version of the Octavia specifically designed to win over company car drivers.
The new GreenLine III model uses a version of the 1.6 TDI diesel engine that only emits 85g/km of CO2 and can manage a claimed average of 88.3mpg.
Those emissions puts the Octavia GreenLine in a 13 percent BIK tax band for the 2013/14 tax year meaning low tax bills for company car drivers.
Priced at £20,150, the new Octavia GreenLine will cost a 20 percent tax payer £43.66 per month (assuming that no optional extras are selected).
The official claimed fuel consumption figure of 88.3mpg for the GreenLine Octavia III is class-leading for a family car though in actual day-to-day running it is more likely to be around the 60mpgs.
To help the Octavia GreenLine reach these figures the new model features 16-inch alloy wheel fitted with rolling resistance tyres inflated to a higher pressure than normal to reduce friction plus Stop/Start technology.
The GreenLine’s standard kit is very similar to the SE (which sits one up from the entry-level S model) and includes dual climate control, lumbar support for driver ‘s and front passenger’s seat, Bluetooth connection, touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio with USB connection and aux-in connection, glove compartment cooling system, Rest Assist (drowsiness detection), and electric tailgate release.
The Octavia also packs some neat touches such as ice scraper located inside the fuel filler cap and hill hold assist (keeps the brakes on until the clutch engages – particularly useful for pulling away on slopes).
To mark out the GreenLine III version also added are front fog lamps that turn with the steering wheel, plus GreenLine badging on the front grille and the gearstick.
The downside is that there is no sat nav or cruise control as standard something of an omission, but both are offered as options at £550 (for the entry-level sat nav system) and £180 respectively.
The Octavia, launched early 2013, has been an all-round success for the Czech manufacturer, and is a past winner of Parkers Cost of Motoring Award in the Family Hatchback category as well as becoming a finalist in the World Car of the Year 2014 contest.
To read our full review of the Skoda Octavia click here.
