The latest edition of the brand’s bestseller can now also be ordered with innovative full LED Matrix headlights, each containing a separate module for the low beam and high beam. Each module features 22 LEDs which can be controlled individually to generate a light beam consisting of several segments. A camera on the windscreen detects vehicles as well as people and objects reflecting the light, and the intelligent lighting technology then automatically turns off individual segments of the light beam. This allows drivers to have the high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users. The headlights also provide different lighting modes for various situations and weather conditions, such as driving in the city, on the motorway or in the rain. The optional full LED tail lights include illuminated crystalline elements, dynamic indicators and an animated Coming/Leaving Home function which is activated by locking/unlocking the car.
Several of the new assistance systems found in the fourth-generation OCTAVIA are making their ŠKODA debut. By actively increasing the steering moment, the new Collision Avoidance Assist helps to prevent an impending collision with a pedestrian, cyclist or other vehicles using a controlled evasive manoeuvre. At junctions, Turn Assist can detect oncoming traffic at an early stage when turning left, warn the driver or automatically stop the vehicle. The Exit Warning system lets the occupants know if another vehicle or a cyclist is approaching from behind when a car door is open. Another new feature is the Local Traffic Warning function, which automatically warns of traffic hold‑ups in the car’s immediate surroundings, such as the end of a traffic jam.
Many assistance systems are making their debut in the OCTAVIA, while others have been updated. When parking or manoeuvring, the Area View system, available from CW 48/20 (week commencing 23 November 2020), provides an overview of the immediate surroundings. For this, four cameras create a 360-degree image around the vehicle, which is shown on the central display. Side Assist warns the driver of vehicles approaching from behind or that are in the car’s blind spot. It monitors an area up to 70 m behind the vehicle and also effectively helps to prevent accidents on motorways and dual carriageways. The system warns the driver by emitting a light on the inside of the wing mirror housings, where it is clearly visible. Side Assist is not active when a trailer or a bicycle carrier is fixed on the tow bar. In urban environments, Front Assist including Predictive Pedestrian and Cyclist Protection warns of collisions visually, acoustically and by gently applying the brakes, slowing the car down when necessary. It detects moving and stationary vehicles in the direction of traffic as well as cyclists and people who are moving in front of the car.
Predictive Cruise Control is an updated and enhanced version of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically adjusts the speed of the car based on the vehicles ahead at speeds of up to 210 km/h. In combination with a DSG, ACC has a stop-and-go function, meaning it can bring the car to a standstill and have it pull away again automatically within up to three seconds. The system also brings cars fitted with a manual transmission to a standstill, provided a suitable gear has been selected and the driver disengages the clutch in time. Cruise control will be reactivated once the car has pulled away. The new predictive version also uses images from the camera on the windscreen and data from the navigation system to automatically adjust the speed to suit the road ahead.
The new ACC – together with the updated version of Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Lane Assist (also able to identify roadworks), as well as Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist – forms the comprehensive Travel Assist system. Using Hands-on Detect, Travel Assist also checks whether the driver is touching the steering wheel at least every 15 seconds or whether they no longer have control of the vehicle due to a potential medical emergency. In this case, Emergency Assist activates the car’s hazard lights and brings the car to a stop in its lane.
