Review: Skoda Roomster

[Koolaba]

Exterior

The first design element of the Roomster that strikes one is its side profile

Edited January 21, 2007 by Koolaba

[Koolaba]

Undercarriage

The manufacturer has spent considerable effort to ensure that there are minimal protrusions at the undercarriage to achieve a co-efficient of drag figure of 0.33. The diagonally-connected brake lines are meticulously routed so that the exposure to road elements is minimized. As an added level of protection, brake lines and critical components found at this area are covered by two large plastic covers.

 

Compared to the undercarriage of a popular Japanese vehicle which overturned in a recent test drive, it is not difficult to realize that Skoda engineers place a lot of emphasis on a properly-designed undercarriage

[Koolaba]

Interior

The view behind the steering wheel is extraordinary. Upon shutting the front doors, you could mistake yourself piloting a plane instead of driving a car. Passengers at the rear enjoy a better view of the surroundings due to the lower window line and taller, larger glass panels.

[Koolaba]

The test drive vehicle is specified with a colour scheme which consists of:

- 2-tone black coloured upper dashboard and light grey coloured lower dashboard.

- Light grey coloured door panels

- Light grey coloured seat fabrics with wave motifs

 

Together with a high roofline, these elements combine to give a very strong sense of airiness and spaciousness.

 

The front seats are firm and supportive. However an increase in width and increased bolstering at the sides will definitely be welcomed by individuals with bigger and broader body frames.

[Koolaba]

In the rear, you will find 3 individual and removable seats which form the basis of the VarioFlex seating system. All rear seats can recline or slide fore and aft. The middle seat can be removed so that the outer ISOFIX-compliant seats (rear left and right) can be pushed together by up to 11cm to liberate extra shoulder room. The construction of the rear seats is more robust compared to a very popular Japanese hatchback which offers similar functionalities.

 

With the rear seats in upright position, the boot boasts a volume of 450l. The storage volume increases to 1780l when the rear seat backs are flipped down and folded forward. The Roomster

[Koolaba]

Storage compartments

The number of storage compartments is a plenty in the Roomster. Storage space is abundant in:

- Covered compartment above the dashboard if the model is not equipped with a passenger

[Koolaba]

Engine

Skoda offers a choice of 3 petrol engines and 3 diesel engines for the Roomster:

 

Petrol engines

- 1.2 HTP DOHC 3 cylinder 51kW/70PS

- 1.4 DOHC 4 cylinder 63kW/86PS

- 1.6 DOHC 4 cylinder 77kW/105PS

 

Diesel engines

- 1.4 TDI DOHC Pumpe Duse (PD) 3 cylinder 51kW/70PS

- 1.4 TDI DOHC PD 3 cylinder 59kW/80PS with Diesel Particle Filter

- 1.9 TDI DOHC PD 4 cylinder 77kW/105PS with Diesel Particle Filter

[Koolaba]

So long as the road tax structure for diesel private vehicles does not see any breakthrough, it is very likely that only petrol variants of the Roomster will be available in the Singapore market.

 

The test drive vehicle is equipped with an entry-level 1.4l 3 cylinder Turbo Diesel Injection (TDI) PD (High Pressure Direct Injection) engine which meets the latest EU4 emission standards. This is the same engine block which graces the engine bay of the VW Polo 1.4 TDI.

 

Before the engine is sufficiently warmed up, engine noise is rather intrusive at idle even with the presence of factory-fitted bonnet, floor plan and firewall insulation. This is probably a characteristic of a 3 cylinder engine design. Nevertheless, it is comforting to note the engine noise level reduces significantly once the engine is sufficiently warmed up (when radiator coolant temperature gauge indicates 90 deg C). The engine note is barely detectable when the car reaches cruising speeds.

[Koolaba]

On the Move

Even though the test vehicle is equipped with the

[Gz0707]

Very comprehensive writeup, K. Would u hazard a guess on the price range? Am keen to replace my 2nd ride, Peugeot Partner van (1.9TDI - 75KW ) with the Roomster 1.9TDI, if diesel cars ever make it here...

 

One thing abt the Partner - no one has ever complained abt the driving space and height - so i believe pp will actually like a sense of space and "roominess" in the Roomster. I feel this had contributed to the previous succcess of the Matrix - spacious mini 1.6L MPV. Now the direct competition would be the Suzuki SX4 which is just being launched

Edited January 21, 2007 by Gz0707

[Koolaba]

I am giving a very rough guess based on the following information.

 

Skoda Octavia II (A5) Classic 1.6 MPI

Price in Austria: EUR 19,060

http://www.skoda.at/preis.php?B_ID=135

Price in Singapore: SGD 70,000 (approx)

 

Skoda Roomster 1.6 MPI

Price in Austria: From EUR 16,050 (lowest specified version) to EUR 19120 (highest specified version)

http://www.skoda.at/preis.php?B_ID=191

 

Using very simple mathematics, the Roomster 1.6 should cost between SGD 59,000 to SGD 71,000 using CA's pricing for the Octavia II as a reference.

 

If the Roomster TDI will make it here and with the current road tax structure for diesel private cars still intact, it could be registered as a Good cum Passenger Vehicle. Another interesting variant of the Roomster which is worth considering (if it ever makes it to Singapore) is shown in the link - the Skoda Praktik:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsi...mercial-vehicle

 

Hopefully the VW Caddy TDI reaches our shores once VW takes over the dealership officially.

Edited January 22, 2007 by Koolaba