It speaks volumes for the ascent of the diesel engine that Skoda confidently predicts that seventy per cent of all UK Octavia sales will be diesel engined with the remaining thirty per cent spread between the four petrol engines on offer. Of these engines, the 1.6-litre FSI was originally the least popular, until Skoda's decision to reduce the asking figure to around the £12,000 price point. That makes it a lot harder to ignore.

Whatever the competing attractions of the 75bhp 1.4MPI, the 150bhp 2.0-litre FSI and the 200bhp 2.0-litre FSI Turbo powerplant, there's plenty to be said for the compromise abilities of the 115bhp 1.6-litre FSI unit. As opposed to engines with standard fuel injection to the intake pipe, the FSI direct injection engines utilise a system where the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. FSI stands for 'Fuel-Stratified Injection' and the engine runs on two cycles, using normal combustion technology above 4,000 rpm and stratified injection below 4,000 rpm. Direct fuel injection engines have a similar combustion principle as standard petrol engines, but in the FSI mode, a tiny drop of petrol is injected directly onto the top of the specially-shaped piston head, where it combusts with air that is swirled into the cylinder in a precise manner. The main advantage of this is lower fuel consumption, while normal injection is used at higher revs to provide excellent power.

Petrol engines with FSI direct injection fitted in the Octavia produce more than adequate torque at low revs and, at the same time, a high output at high revs, effectively replicating the effect of a variable valve timing system with far less mechanical complexity. They satisfy the requirements of a variety of drivers - they are perfect for both smooth, economical, swift driving and dynamic, sporty driving. In addition to the advantages of higher output and lower consumption, direct injection engines are environmentally friendly with low emissions of both CO2 and NOx. This is important in both attaining a Euro IV compliancy rating and in meeting the needs of company car drivers who aren't keen on being hammered by the Chancellor.

"The FSI engine is a hands down winner, offering a good deal more flexibility, refinement and power than its more conventional 1.6-litre sibling"

Of all the petrol engines in the Octavia line up, the 1.6-litre FSI offers perhaps the best compromise between power and parsimony. This all-aluminium, four-cylinder engine uses an adjustable camshaft for the intake valves and is good for a maximum speed of 123 mph. It will dispatch the sprint to 60mph in 11 seconds while capable of returning a combined fuel economy figure of some 40.4 mpg. The engine is equipped with two three-way catalytic converters - main converter and front-end converter, two lambda sensors, and exhaust gas re-circulation with an electric valve. It's a good environmental citizen, emitting just 168g of carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled. Compare that with 177 for a Vauxhall Vectra and 180g/km for a Renault Laguna and you'll see why company car user/choosers as well as private buyers could be interested in the Octavia.

Pricing also has something to do with it. Kicking off at £12,115 in Classic trim and topping out at £15,635 for the L&K (although automatic models tack another £1,000 onto these prices and the estate bodystyle adds £700), the Octavia 1.6FSI looks a value pick.

All the latest Octavias benefit from Volkswagen's quest to endow the Golf chassis with Ford Focus-style driving manners. Even with the wick turned down a good few notches, it can't help but feel extremely capable when stitching a series of bends together.The steering feels like a good hydraulically assisted set-up but is in fact electro-mechanically assisted. Many of the early versions of this steering set-up felt unacceptably artificial but the Octavia's helm feels meaty and rewarding at speed, reverting to fingertip light at parking speeds. Impressive stuff. The multi-link rear suspension keeps the sort of bump and thump that often afflicts cars wiith more rudimentary torsion beam setups at bay.

The rear overhang has been extended a little further to give the Octavia more of a 'three box' profile. Like its predecessor, it boasts a practical hatchback rather than the boot its stub-tailed lines may suggest. The old Octavia was renowned for possessing one of the biggest payloads in class but the latest car comprehensively trumps it, available capacity going up by 36 litres to 560 litres with the rear seats in place. Bear in mind that this dwarfs what's on offer from a BMW 5 Series, a Jaguar S-TYPE, a Mercedes E Class or a Volvo S80 and you'll get some idea how huge it is back there. The Golf doesn't even compare. Fold the rear seats flat and you'll then get a yawning 1350 litres of available room. Not a car for the agoraphobic in other words and if you opt for the estate that seats folded capacity increases to 1,620 litres.

Viewed in isolation, it's hard to pick fault with the Octavia 1.6 FSI. The problem is that it's still hugely overshadowed by its siblings. If you're a middle child, you may well feel a little sympathy for it. Whether that sympathy extends to putting pen to paper only time will tell.

TOP 5 OCTAVIA DEALS

The results below show the top OCTAVIA deals on buyacar

	Skoda Octavia 1.6 FSI Ambiente 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £226	Saving £1,360	Price £12,755
	Skoda Octavia 1.6 FSI Ambiente 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £213	Saving £1,240	Price £12,025
	Skoda Octavia 1.6 FSI Elegance 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £227	Saving £1,384	Price £12,901
	Skoda Octavia 1.6 FSI Ambiente 5dr Tip Auto Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £233	Saving £1,384	Price £12,926
	Skoda Octavia 1.6 FSI Elegance 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £240	Saving £1,505	Price £13,630

typical 10.81% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000