The OCTAVIA was designed and engineered under Volkswagen Group ownership. While the world’s media was quick to praise the new OCTAVIA for its quality, sophistication and practicality, the remarkable transformation of ŠKODA’s production facilities was equally newsworthy. Following massive investment from the Volkswagen Group, the ŠKODA plant at Mladá Boleslav was the most advanced car factory in Europe at the time. Featuring one of the largest presses in the world, the fully modernised plant was capable of stamping out a complete side section of the OCTAVIA estate in one piece.
Such was the demand in the early stages of production, British customers had to wait until 1998 for right-hand drive models to finally arrive in showrooms. The initial range consisted of 1.6-litre petrol versions in a simple two-model trim structure. A 1.8-litre turbo engine was added to the range in 1999, along with diesels and an estate version. The line-up was revised in 2000 with new trim names; Classic, Ambiente, Elegance and Laurin & Klement, and a new engine range.