New technology: shift-by-wire, full LED Matrix headlights as well as numerous new safety assistance systems

› The new OCTAVIA is the first ever ŠKODA to use shift-by-wire technology to operate its DSG transmission
› Full LED Matrix headlights and full LED tail lights with dynamic indicators are optional
› Other premieres include Collision Avoidance Assist, Turn Assist and Exit Warning

ŠKODA has equipped the fourth-generation OCTAVIA with numerous new technologies and innovative assistance systems that are making their debut in a production vehicle of the Czech brand. This includes shift-by-wire technology for operating the DSG as well as new systems for further increasing safety, such as Collision Avoidance Assist, Turn Assist and Exit Warning. Yet more premieres for the OCTAVIA include full LED Matrix headlights, Side Assist and Emergency Assist as well as Predictive Cruise Control and Area View.

The new OCTAVIA is the first ŠKODA ever to use shift-by-wire technology to operate its DSG. The gear selector is no longer connected to the gearbox mechanically. Instead, it relays which gear has been chosen electronically. This saves space and offers new design options. In place of the familiar DSG lever, the centre console has therefore been provided with a new control module featuring a small rocker switch for selecting the drive modes – R (reverse), N (neutral) and D/S (drive/sport) – as well as a button for the parking mode, P.

The latest edition of the brand’s bestseller can now also be ordered with innovative full LED matrix headlights, each containing a module for low beam and high beam. Each module features 22 LEDs which can be controlled individually to generate a light beam consisting of several segments. This allows drivers to have the high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users. The 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. 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 – and they feature an animated Coming/Leaving Home function. This automatically turns parts of the headlights and optional full LED tail lights on and off in a specified sequence when getting into or out of the car. The full LED tail lights have also been provided with illuminated crystalline elements and dynamic indicators.

The fourth-generation OCTAVIA sees the introduction of several new assistance systems, some of them are making their debut in a ŠKODA model. The new Collision Avoidance Assist supports the driver by actively increasing the steering moment in the event of an impending collision with a pedestrian, cyclist or another vehicle – ideally preventing the accident with a controlled evasive manoeuvre. At junctions, Turn Assist can detect oncoming traffic at an early stage when turning left, warn the driver or even automatically stop the vehicle. The Exit Warning system lets the driver know if another vehicle or a cyclist is approaching from behind when opening the car door. 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 other assistance systems are making their debut in the OCTAVIA or have been updated. Area View provides an overview of the car’s immediate surroundings when parking or manoeuvring. Side Assist warns the driver of vehicles approaching from behind or that are in the car’s blind spot up to 70 m away, thus also effectively helping to prevent potential accidents on motorways and dual carriageways. In the city, Front Assist including Predictive Pedestrian and Cyclist Protection warns of a potential collision visually, acoustically and by gently applying the brakes, and automatically slows the car down in an emergency.

Predictive Cruise Control is an updated and enhanced version of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). It now 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, it can even bring the car to a standstill and have it pull away again automatically within up to three seconds. Added to this, the new predictive version also uses images from the camera on the windscreen and data from the navigation system to detect speed restrictions as well as bends, and automatically adjusts the speed in anticipation.

The new ACC, which – together with the updated versions of Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Assist (now also able to identify road works), as well as Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist – forms the comprehensive Travel Assist system. Using Hands-on Detect, this system also checks – at least every 15 seconds – whether the driver is touching the steering wheel consistently or whether they no longer have control of the vehicle due to a potential medical emergency. If such an emergency occurs, Emergency Assist can bring the car to a stop in its lane. Should it not be possible to prevent an accident from occurring despite the numerous assistance systems, the proactive Crew Protect Assist feature prepares the car as well as its occupants for the impending head-on or rear collision, or even rollover, by automatically closing the windows as well as panoramic roof, and tensioning the seat belts, for example. In the event of a collision, the occupants are also protected by up to nine airbags, including a driver knee airbag and rear side airbags. Following a collision, the Multi-Collision Brake prevents the vehicle from rolling any further in an uncontrolled manner.