Mladá Boleslav, 30th April 2015 – The two young women and 21 young men have been tinkering on their own vehicle project since November 2014. Developing ideas and discussing possible solutions, drawing, designing and they have built a very special, unique car. Inventiveness and flexibility are just as important as pragmatism and implementation skills. The trainees have been supported in their work by ŠKODA chief designer Jozef Kabaň and ŠKODA AUTO Production Director Michael Oeljeklaus. The new ‘Trainee Car’ is almost ready; the premiere takes place at the legendary GTI Meeting at Wörthersee in Austria in mid-May.

This is the second year in a row that the Czech manufacturer has given selected trainees the opportunity to create their dream car. The company’s goal with this programme is to promote and strengthen the vocational students’ creativity and expertise. “After the excellent results of the ŠKODA Trainee Car premiere last year, it was clear that we would continue the project,” said ŠKODA HR Director Bohdan Wojnar. “We are once again delighted with our students’ creative ideas and their goal-oriented implementation. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the project, especially the teachers at the ŠKODA AUTO Vocational School. The ŠKODA FUNstar is a great concept car that is going to surprise and inspire visitors at the GTI Meeting.”

The ŠKODA FUNstar is a funky pickup based on the new ŠKODA Fabia – cheeky, fresh and surprising. This is a bright, sharp pickup with a real fun factor, not only in name. The ŠKODA FUNstar stands out with its metallic colours steel-grey and moon-white. The sills, grille surround and the rear spoiler form a striking contrast in reflex-green. One special feature is the LED lights mounted below the sidebars. The dual-lens headlights also feature LED technology, with green LED light strips serving as daytime running lights. LEDs are also used in the rear lights.

“Through this project, our apprentices have really shown what they are capable of,” said ŠKODA Production Board member Michael Oeljeklaus whose department has taken the junior employees under their wing in production technology. “The project has been great fun. The students have really got on board with the task, showing great zeal and developing their expertise.”

The ŠKODA FUNstar drives up on 18-inch ‘Gemini’ alloys from the Octavia RS. The engine is a 1.2 TSI petrol with 90 kW. The transmission features a modern seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The sporty look continues in the interior. Individual elements are also finished in steel-grey and moon-white. It goes without saying that the students used one of the best sports steering wheels ŠKODA has to offer, and the 1400-Watt sound system offers a fantastic music experience.

The ‘Trainee Car’ project once again demonstrates the high quality of ŠKODA’s vocational training, and the importance of combining theoretical education with practical experience. The ŠKODA Vocational School offers young adults three- or four-year training programmes in technical subjects. The students graduate with an apprenticeship diploma or NVQ level 3 respectively. There are currently 13 training courses, on which 880 full-time trainees are enrolled. Some 12.5 per cent of these apprentices are young women. In addition, 65 current employees are supplementing their qualifications at a post-graduate level. The ŠKODA Vocational School in Mladá Boleslav was established in 1927. Since then, almost 22,000 students have completed their training there.

Training young people is a key part of the Czech car manufacturer’s social responsibility. The training is free; moreover, students are paid for their work during their apprentices. After successfully completing the training, ŠKODA offers all graduates a permanent job.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Mladá Boleslav, 8th April 2015 – Following its successful homologation, the new rally car can now continue the Czech automobile manufacturer’s 114-year motorsport success story on the rally routes of this world. The Fabia R 5 is based on ŠKODA’s new production Fabia and is the successor to the Fabia Super 2000, which went down in history as the most successful rally car in the history of ŠKODA Motorsport.

“We are delighted that the International Automobile Federation FIA has given us the green light. Now we can prove just how good our new rally car is in the race series,” said ŠKODA Board Member for Development Dr. Frank Welsch. “When working on the third-generation production Fabia, which enjoyed an extremely successful start, we incorporated some of the genes from our rally cars and developed the most emotive Fabia ever. Conversely, the production model now formed the basis for the new Fabia R 5.”

ŠKODA’s new rally car is pure high-tech. In compliance with FIA regulations, the ŠKODA Fabia R 5 is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbo engine. That is a considerable change from the two-litre induction engine in the Fabia Super 2000. Furthermore, the new four-wheel drive car also features a five-speed sequential gearbox and McPherson struts. The weight of the car is at least 1,230 kilograms, as stipulated in the regulations. Since the start of the project, ŠKODA Motorsport has invested 15 months of intense development work to fine-tune the car and ensure that the ultra-modern components interact perfectly.

The homologation process is a long and complex procedure, which requires close cooperation with the International Automobile Federation FIA and is made up of several parts. In recent months, the new ŠKODA Fabia R 5 has been subjected to a comprehensive approval process, which has now ended successfully with the approval from the FIA.

“We are happy that we now have the homologation from the International Automobile Federation FIA under our belt,” said ŠKODA Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek. “The development of our new rally hope was a tiring process and a major challenge for the entire team at ŠKODA Motorsport, to whom I would like to say a big thank you.”

Top drivers such as Asia-Pacific champion Jan Kopecký (CZ), European champion Esapekka Lappi (FIN), rally legend “Fast” Freddy Loix (B) and multiple Austrian champion Raimund Baumschlager (AT) provided valuable input during the development of the new rally car. In the run up to the homologation, about 10,000 kilometres of testing were completed on a wide range of roads and conditions, including in the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Greece, Spain and Finland. Whether in icy cold or bright sunshine, on asphalt, gravel or snow – the ŠKODA Fabia R 5 successfully passed every test.

There is already great interest in the new ŠKODA Fabia R 5 from customer teams. After all, the successor – the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 – was a guarantee of titles. In the 2014 rally season, ŠKODA completed a hat-trick of titles in the Drivers’ and Manufacturer championships in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), while the champion in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) was a ŠKODA works driver for the third time in a row. The list of success achieved last year also includes five national titles. With a total of almost 50 international and national titles in six years, the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000, which made its first appearance in 2009, is the most successful project in the company’s 114-year motorsport history.

ŠKODA Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek: “With the new ŠKODA Fabia R 5, we want to follow on from the success we have enjoyed in recent years with speed and reliability on the rally routes of this world. Following the successful homologation, we can now initiate the next phase of the Fabia R 5 project.”

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Milton Keynes, 22nd April 2015 – The 2015 Auto Express Driver Power survey attracted 61,113 respondents who were asked to judge their car in a number of key areas, from ride quality to practicality. The ŠKODA Yeti stormed to the top of the Best Off-road/SUV category, making it four class wins in a row. The ŠKODA Roomster took victory in the Best MPV category, and customers voted the ŠKODA Superb the Best Family Car.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express said: “ŠKODA has been a consistent winner in our Driver Power surveys, and 2015 is no different. SUV buyers are a demanding lot, but the Yeti is clearly loved by owners. And despite their age, the Roomster and Superb winning their categories shows that owners don’t fall out of love with their ŠKODAs.”

Commenting on the 2015 Driver Power results, Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK said: “This is another great result for ŠKODA. We’re delighted that our customers are so passionate about their cars. We’ve already introduced some great new products this year, in the shape of the Fabia Hatch and Estate, and with the new Superb arriving in the UK this summer we’ve got more great vehicles to delight customers.”

The award-winning Yeti and Superb are available in ŠKODA retailers now, while the all-new ŠKODA Superb goes on sale in the UK this summer, priced from £18,640 OTR.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Milton Keynes, 23rd March 2015 - Designed to meet the specific needs of the fleet market, SE Business trim level adds a raft of additional equipment over the already well-equipped SE model.

The specification, which adds even greater comfort and technology, includes upmarket Alcantara upholstery; front and rear parking sensors and stylish sunset glass from the B-pillar back, to help keep occupants cool. ŠKODA’s Amundsen touchscreen satellite navigation system is included as standard, with a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen and Bluetooth telephone integration, as well as SmartLink (which integrates mobile phone functions via Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and Google Android Auto). Also featured is Drive mode selection, which enables drivers to choose between Eco, Sport or Normal driving profiles. From 2016*, a Phone box with wireless charging and an enhanced mobile signal will also be standard, meaning driver’s phones will always be charged without the need to plug in.

As on the SE, SE Business models also come with stylish 17-inch alloy wheels; dual-zone air conditioning; lumbar support, cornering front fog lights; electrically folding door mirrors; Front Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Despite the significant increase in standard equipment, SE Business models are priced at exactly the same level as SE models, making for a seriously competitive P11D price. 

Two EU6-compliant diesel engines are available from launch: a 1.6-litre 120PS unit and a 2.0-litre 150PS motor. DSG transmissions are available on both. A GreenLine model, which is expected to return 76.4mpg combined and emit just 95g/km of CO2, will join the line-up in due course. Prices start at just £21,590 for the 1.6-litre 120PS model.

New Superb - the most advanced ŠKODA ever built

The new Superb features a striking design with sharp creases along the flanks and a svelte coupe-like profile. While it is 28mm longer and 47mm wider than its predecessor, it’s the 80mm longer wheelbase that drivers will most appreciate, as it makes for an even more spacious passenger compartment. The boot is 30 litres larger than before, at 625 litres, expanding to a cavernous 1,760 litres with the rear seat backs folded. 

Despite the increased size, the new ŠKODA Superb is up to 75kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks in part to weight-saving measures made available by the car’s advanced MQB construction. This helps make it both more efficient and more agile.

The new Superb is also brimming with new technology and ŠKODA’s acclaimed Simply Clever features. Designed and engineered to make the new Superb safer and more comfortable, new optional features include the clever Virtual pedal system, which opens the boot with just the wave of a foot under the rear bumper; Blind spot detection; Rear traffic alert (which makes reversing out of parking spaces safer); third-generation Park assist (which enables automatic parking in parallel spaces, and in perpendicular spaces either nose-first or tail-first) and, on DSG-equipped models, Traffic jam assist, which makes driving in heavy traffic less stressful.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk