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, 2004
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CENTRAL EUROPEAN

Three regional models compete for the new Czech capital

By Will Tizard
For The Prague Post
Feb. 17, 2005


One positive aspect of living in a market economy that sometimes appears obsessed with catching up to its Western neighbors is the chance to skip over mistakes. While drivers in the United States — where admittedly the roads, fuel and financing conditions are also an ocean apart — learned the painful lessons of compact cars in the 1970s, imports in the '80s and SUVs in the '90s, Czechs are poised to profit from the lessons of each period.

Drivers in this country looking to invest in wheels have at least three options that are strong on efficiency and manufactured in Central Europe, with just enough size to allow for comfort while still providing maneuverability on narrow Czech roads.

The three models currently getting major media blitzes are the following: in the middle range of 420,000-704,000 Kc ($18,260-$30,608), the new Skoda Octavia; also in the midrange, the 450,000-715,000 Kc Opel Astra; and, at the higher end of 800,000-1.2 million Kc, the Audi A4.

Each has sleek design going for it, plus reasonable power and handling — or at least as much of those qualities as one could hope for in the respective price range. But the three rivals offer distinct qualities that clearly set them apart from one another as well.

Surprisingly sexy

The Opel Astra comes in an unusual range of formats, from the hatchback to the Sport, Caravan, GTC, Cabrio and Coupe. We picked the Astra 1.9 CDTI, the Sport version, which has one of the highest-powered engines available in its class at 150 horsepower.

Surprisingly sexy on the outside for a hatchback, its low-slung lights, grill and aerodynamic lines give it a dramatically improved look from the old Classic model. Those wanting a little more style or flash will surely be eyeing this tigress, out since autumn on the Czech market, with interest.

Once inside, its interior seems at first fairly standard, with a minimal console and seats you'd expect in an economy car. But after hitting the road, it's apparent that the ergonomics, leg room, quietness and sound system compare with those of much more luxe rides.

It's handling that truly sets the Astra apart, even if you never get around to using the Sport button on the console, which engages a special independent suspension mode that boosts road gripping on winding roads. The car takes off like a jackrabbit as well, at least in this engine size, does well in the nastiest of winter road conditions, and glides beautifully through all six gears (though it doesn't seem to ever be the right time for fourth, somehow, the one speed at which the Astra seems always to be straining a bit).

The dependable Skoda Octavia was voted Car of the Year for 2005.
Best family car

The Czech competition to the German- and Polish-made GM-owned Opel is, of course, the ubiquitous Skoda. In particular, the newly redesigned Octavia, a fave for years on the market, continues to offer good value for the money.

Voted Car of the Year for 2005 in the Czech Republic and Finland by industry associations and journalists, and winner of the WhatCar? competition in the UK for best family car, the Octavia also manages to be fairly sexy while outscoring the Toyota Avensis and the Ford Mondeo for efficiency and power. With an available 2.0-liter engine and a cockpit that feels increasingly sporty for this range, that shouldn't be surprising.

The WhatCar? ranking also points out the excellent service record of the Octavia, with minimum visits to the mechanic shown over its life when compared to others in its class. Along with the reliability factor, the Octavia also boasts a good range of versions to suit varied incomes, from the basic Classic to the Ambiente to the Elegance, the most luxe Octavia yet seen.

New design and technology are behind the reinterpretation of this popular car, and the turbodiesel engine option provides another good balance of power with economy. Filling up with diesel, while it may not be as eco-friendly, dramatically cuts fuel costs.

The Audi A4 Avant's cost brings with it a number of security features and ample power.
A dash of class

German technology is again tempting the up-and-coming Czech middle (and for that matter, upper) manager these days with the Audi A4. While the A4 Avant is the closest correlative to the Opel Astra Sport and Skoda Octavia, it's without a doubt closer to the Lexus end of the spectrum in terms of overall look, feel and engineering. The not-insubstantial extra investment in an A4 gets the buyer not just power and comfort but a certain dash of class — and Audi is as aware of that as anyone.

Drivers of the front-wheel or all-wheel-drive A4 rave about its grace and handling, boasting that its 2.0-liter Turbo FSI engine — a design that's won four Le Mans victories — is not unlike having your own small nuclear dynamo, except safer. That is, if you don't give in to all that power on the back roads of Bohemia, where pre-Velvet Revolution Trabants are still likely to meander into your lane.

The A4's celebrated chain-driven multitronic transmission system, with its infinite number of possible gear ratios, offers an even greater temptation to let fly. But do be careful out there. Even power motoring like this is spoiled by becoming a statistic. (For traditionalists, the old-fashioned manual or automatic gearshifts are available.)

And why rush in a car whose plush and quiet interior is bound to be more calming? The ABS, anti-skid system and front and side airbags, with the option of head airbags, bring a new level of security to match performance. And the Cabriolet, though a different breed from the more practical model focused on here, even boasts rollover bars that pop up just in time should you ever find yourself turning one over.

All in all, Central European carmakers these days seem to be packing in more power, comfort and reliability for the price than ever before. Whatever your needs and budget, regional products are looking better and better with each passing year.


Will Tizard can be reached at specialsection@praguepost.com


Reader's Comments:
[27/02/2005] : Would like to comment on E. Rail's article about Siemens S65 phone. The writer did not mention anything about IR port (I realize it is hard to mention all of the options/specs but I think IR port is an important one). I have the phone for almost 2 months now and the IR port is VERY convenient. It is SO EASY to transfer data from the phone to my notebook, equiped with IR port.

Quote: "Some of the ring tones are surprisingly shrill and uncool for a top-of-the-line device, and a number of the phone's color themes are equally goofy."

Maybe ring tones are not that cool but to tell the truth I listened to them only once. Yes, only once, the day I got the phone. Then, I downloaded a lot of ringtones to my notebook and transferred them easily to the phone through IR port. Now I have the coolest ring tones and even songs in .wav format. Also, there are a lot of themes available online that you can download and change easily. I did not change the default one (yet) because I like it. Maybe after I get tired of it I will change it to something new. Also, downloaded a lot of java games and successfully transferred to the phone, again through IR port.

My previous phone was a CDMA phone - therefore no SIM card. I had to transfer all the numbers to the new S65 phone. The process was a breeze thanks to Mobile Phone Manager software (downloaded for free from Siemens web site) and again, IR port.

There are many other positive things about S65. I did some "googling" before I purchased it. I am very satisfied with Siemens S65 mobile phone no matter what others say! ;-)
Nazar Kharivsky
United States
[20/02/2005] : Quote from Brian O'Reilly Boston, NY
"In my opinion, the only way to fix the problem between the 2 cultures [West and Islam] is to for us to accept that we are all humans regardless of our religions."

I thought that only Europeans are naive...
paragon large
USA
[18/02/2005] : It seems curious that the "West" is downplaying the horrors of Communism that were committed between the years of 1919 and 1953 in the former Soviet Republics and later in Easter Europe. Whereas the Nazi Reich lasted only twelve years and killed some ten million, the brutal Soviet Communist State lasted over seventy years and killed probably three times as many. Joseph Stalin and his multi-ethnical NKVD henchmen have starved millions of innocent Ukrainias and deported and worked to death many millions more of every nationality and walk of life. And although thousands of real people did the communist killings, guarded the communist concentration and labor camps, and ran the Soviet communist police state, there are no household names and the history of the perpetrators available and/or published in the West. Therefore, it seems to me that the East Europeans who did suffer under Communism do have the moral high ground in Brussels when they bring up, discuss and compare the known Nazi tyrany with the past and relatively unpublicized Communist terror.
Paul Zellman
Los Angeles, California
[10/12/2004] : Sir, what a tangled web we all weave. Those of us that oppose the E.U are gearing up for a show down with the politicians. As the people of your great country will knwow the vast majority of UK citizens are against this so called new constitution and if the exit polls are to be believed if there was a vote tommorow Great Britain would almost certainly veto it! This of course would mean the whole idea is srcapped and no doubt we would be labelled yet again as the thorn in the europeans side. I notice from your Prague Post vote that the Czech people would vote for such an ammendment - all be it narrowly - so it would seem that there is strong sceptisism with your people as well as my own. Earlier this year a met a good man, his name is Martin (Fishar) and he is from Prague. He has become one of my greatest true friends and we have had many a disscussion late into the night over this whole subject. Indeed, both he and his then girlfriend were at my house on the stroke of midnight when the Czech Republic officially became a member of the E.U. They raised a glass in celebration - and why not? I understand that our two countries are very differnt. But, we also have great things in common, the main one being PRIDE. Just because i am anti the E.U does not mean i am anti Europe. Indeed as far as i am concerned it is the finest continent on earth, and that is precisely why i am so against the forced changes imposed on us all on an almost regular basis. One passport, one currency and even maybe soon one army. This is not what we joined for back in 1974. It was supposed to be a free trade market where everything and anything would be cheaper and easily available. Instead, thanks to both France and Germany it is swiftly becoming a superstate, designed in my mind to challenge the might and authority of America. This must end, and quickly. We have all become pawns at the mercy of Brussels. In your own E.U Referendum within the pages of PraguePost 8.3% of those who have so far voted have declared they would abstain. I would say to those that when you have to decide for real PLEASE search your hearts and consciences - your futures, not just you but your childrens children will one day look back in history and decide wheather we made the right decissions. I only hope that we can look them in the eye and honestly say yes, we did. Matthew Puddy, 31.
Mr Matthew Puddy
Lyme Regis, Dorset. United Kingdom
[09/12/2004] : Oh for the days of Bill Clinton. He had "style". He could smoozz the Euros, tell them everything they want to hear----and then-----do nothing. From Kyoto to South American drug problems. Why on the very last day of his presidency, he pardoned a known drug lord. Now I call that "style". In Bush, similiar to Reagan, he tells you what he intends to do and does it. That is so foreign to the European mind and Euro's present leaders. The truth is if the Russians wanted to walk over Europe the combined armies of Europe could not stop them without using nucular weapons or draft guest workers. In the light of the UN corruption scandal, who knows who are the bad guys or who are the good guys. No one needs to go see American movies. Truth is, I think almost all are too juvenile for my taste. Yet the french and Germans and others seem to like them. I'm not sure what that means. There is not enough room for me to go into the wider view of the world situation and how this plays out to the present situation. Perhaps seeing Moore's F 911 one more time will help the European intelligencia see the situation clearer.
Dusan Lipensky
Wheaton, United States
[02/12/2004] : Regarding the article "West Meets Middle East", I just found it quiet interesting on how muslims have been generalised into one category which is "terrorists". I understand why the writer is concerned about the differences in culture between the two, but aren't also budhism, shintoism, and hinduism? I think in this day and age, newspapers and writers have a great pleasure in villifying someone for their success in.
An interesting point I found out is how selfish the writer was when he said: "Intellectuals uttering attacks on Islam may seem distasteful to many but they help spur debate that can ultimately be healthy". While he stated earlier:"France has taken some steps, seeking to train responsible imams who will teach a version of Islam that is respectful of the republic." Now I agree that some Imams need to be removed if they do spur revolution, but in western society today any imam(or any middle eastern) can be easily jailed/deported if he/she says anything against the residing country. That is for the simple reason that islam is viewed as a danger by westerners. In my opinion, the only way to fix the problem between the 2 cultures is to for us to accept that we are all humans regardless of our religions.
Brian O'Reilly
Boston, NY




Adriatica


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