Journey in the last 8 days
Alright, so here goes. I've tried to use the car for anything and everything. Except to going to the bathroom or to take a shower, I have been trying to use any excuse to drive it around a bit. Heck, I even started to buy only half a litre milk each day so that I could use that as an excuse to drive.
After topping up the tank soon after delivery, it still says 480 kms distance to empty and average FE shows around 12 thus far. Fingers Crossed! 430 kms done as of tonight
Exteriors: Really like the simple, elegant and timeless design theme across the car.
I struggle to kick under the boot to try the virtual pedal feature, but always end up hitting my shin. Need to practice that better I suppose.
Here are some shots at the PPF work done that I am really very pleased with. Each of the corners are tucked in which I do appreciate. I am given to understand it is a part of the SOP for Xpel brand globally. However, when I spoke with my friend at 3M, he said that at his outlet, they do it for all premium cars; who knew?!
While the body is pasted with the PPF, also requested to get it done for the side sills and also the tail lamps too, which I was told is not standard practice. Took the car today to their studio for a quick check / wash and the shots are taken from there today.
Interiors:Super comfortable, as all of you know. Really really plush. The dash and dials and sensors are a little intimidating to me personally. Taking the time to learning and studying and getting to know it better before things becoming second nature.
Back seats are fantastic! How do I know you ask? Well, on the way back home from the showroom after taking delivery of the car, my better half who just can't sleep in the car amidst traffic and day time was napping away. Now I get why Skoda calls it the Nap Package!
Ventilated seat - NOICE! Feels a little weird that the butt get cold, but it's fun and really great to cool down fast.
Steering - very nice! I like how it is really comfortable to amble around in the city, yet it ever so slightly starts to weigh up as the pace picks up.
Ambient lights, nice touch and a neat party trick. Kinda makes it feel like a small personal lounge.
Can't speak enough about the rear seat leg-room. Plenty enough for me at my driving position (6ft in height) and another 6.2ft person sitting right behind me.
AC - nice!
Collision warning sensors - man o man do they sing in our traffic! Took some time to configure it the way I could identify which side sensor beeps.
The entertainment unit, don't know if this has happened with anyone else, but here is my fight using Car Play.
Upon starting the car, the phone gets connected and I can see the Car Play integration with the Amundsen unit. Everything works well and seamlessly.
While you're on the CarPlay screen, if you pressed the power button on the headunit to turn it off (potential sleep mode) and then turn back the system on, then the carplay is either frozen or it's a blank screen. Tried it at various times and with no avail, I contacted the dealership and they confirmed that they have seen it in some octavia's too. Remedy is to re-flash / update the firmware for the Amundsen Infotainment console. So I'll be doing that on Monday.
In case any of you have experienced this situation, there you go...
Floor mats, couldn't wait until later, so went to 3M to get their noodle mats put. Not too shabby. Koramangala 3M outlet did a nice job with cutting it precisely. Got a few adhesive velcro strips fitted underneath the mats so they stay / stick to the floor with no movements.
I do acknowledge that the tendency to wear out fast on the driver side is definitely there, but went ahead with it.
PPF in the insides too! Where? Well, on the entertainment unit / gear console / all doors and front dash where there is piano black finish. I really hate the swirl marks, so got that done too. Pictures for reference.
Little lights - Apart from the brightness adjusting flow background / ambient lights, I love the tiny light they've kept at the door release pocket, and also in the door panel pocket too. Really adds a touch of warmth there.
Driving Experience:
Well, this is where it gets a little interesting for me. Like our earlier TBHP-ian's have called out there is a slight feedback / vibration that could be felt sometimes at the front footwell and the levers.
That aside, trying hard to keep the rev-range under 2k.
Driving modes - obviously the vehicle defaults to "Drive" / Normal mode after each start. Works pretty much well almost always. Very slight lag before moving ahead, but after that 1/2 second's delay it just glides!
EcoMode - very soft pedal, extremely soft and quiet. The drive I took to a nearby location over state highway, very peaceful.
Sports Mode - So very tempted, but going to curb the enthusiasm until I finish the run-in period of 1500 kms.
Drove my Rapid early this morning, and then got into the Superb. Man! There is a certain degree of opulence and luxury indeed. Feels so very nice. Hard to articulate more, but surely is calming. They say the car we drive puts us in a certain mood and I really do feel calm. No aggression (perhaps paranoid if any scratches happen), relaxed and sedate. Happy to let the world go by in it's pace.
Probably it's my steering hand position, but I noticed that I often swirl the knurled rotary controls on the right side of the steering accidentally and it changes the MID view. Got to be mindful of that - note to self.
What's strangely missing: Things that have been quietly removed from the model
- Steering heating button on the left side of the left steering button cluster
- That removable torch of sorts that was in the boot
- Left side heating ORVM
- Key personalization for each specific / individual key that comes with the vehicle
Anything else?