Skoda has unveiled its latest compressed
natural gas (CNG) model in the 2020 Octavia G-TEC, which boasts a gas-only
range of 500 km in the WLTP cycle. The new Octavia G-TEC is
technically a hybrid, since it also utilizes a 9-liter gasoline tank, aside
from the three CNG tanks installed in the underbody, which store a total of
17.33 kg of natural gas. Skoda will launch the new model across Europe
this autumn.
Power comes from a 1.5-liter TSI unit that
provides an output of 130 PS, and an economy of 3.4 to 3.6 kg per 100 km in the WLTP cycle in CNG mode, as well as 4.6
liters per 100 km in gasoline mode. Using just the gasoline in its 9 liter
tank, the Octavia G-TEC can actually cover another 190 km. for a
total range of roughly 700 km. Also, switching between CNG and
gasoline mode happens automatically, without the driver having to do anything.
The only times in which the Octavia G-TEC
accesses its gasoline fuel supply is when the engine is started after the
natural gas has been topped up, or when the outside temperature is below -10
degrees Celsius (14 F). It will also do it when the gas tanks are so empty that
the pressure drops below 11 bar.
In terms of practicality, if you opt for
an Octavia G-TEC hatchback, you’ll be left with 455 liters of trunk
volume, whereas the Estate model will still give you a capacity of 495 liters, despite the CNG tanks.
