Škoda has set two official world ice drift records with the Enyaq RS iV SUV, the brand’s second all-electric sporting model. The records for the ’Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice’ and the ‘Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice (electric car)’, have been verified by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. They were set by motoring journalist Richard Meaden on a circular track measuring 188.496 m in circumference on the frozen Stortjärnen lake near Östersund, Sweden, on Thursday 19 January 2023.

The first record broken by Škoda on the Stortjärnen lake was for the Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice. Driving the recently launched Škoda Enyaq RS iV SUV, Richard Meaden set a new officially-verified record by holding the car in a controlled slide for more than 15 minutes and 7.351 km. Meaden’s drift beat the previous record of 6.231 km, set in China in 2022. In breaking the first record, Meaden and the Škoda Enyaq RS iV SUV set a second record for the ‘Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice (electric car)’.

With a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator present and international drifting judge David Kalas as a witness, Škoda set the record on the brand’s fourth day on location following numerous practice runs with different tyre combinations. A total of 18 hours of drifting were put in across the full five days in sub-zero temperatures to achieve the perfect drift.

The Enyaq RS iV SUV held its own under demanding conditions and powered round the drift circle 39 times during the 15 minutes and 58 seconds of its record-breaking run. It achieved a top speed of 48.69 km/h and was travelling at 31.64 km/h at its slowest point.

The standard production car used to complete the record was fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels. The Däckproffsen 245/35-R20 ‘event tyres’ (sourced from Michelin) on the front had 600 5 mm studs, enabling an even better traction and steering input on the frozen grip-less surface; whilst the Nokian Hakkapelitta 255/45-R20 tyres fitted on the rear wheels had 300 2 mm studs across the tyre surface, which proved the ideal combination on the 40 cm deep ice surface.

The setting of two new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles returns Škoda, the new record-holder Richard Meaden and the RS nameplate to the record books. In 2011, the British driver set a new Southern Californian Timing Association (SCTA) Land Speed Record for a 2.0-litre forced induction production car of 227.080 mph. Driving a Škoda UK-built Octavia RS, the record was set at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA.

Meaden said of the triumph: “Being back behind the wheel of another record-breaking Škoda is pretty special, going from the Bonneville Salt Flats of the USA to a frozen lake in Scandinavia – setting two different records in two very different cars. I’m incredibly proud to be part of a record-breaking team again 12 years on – who would have thought we’d be here drifting an electric car on ice? It shows just how much the automotive world is changing, and how exciting it is too.”

The Enyaq RS iV features sports suspension 15 mm lower at the front over the standard Enyaq iV, and 10 mm lower at the rear. Furthermore, progressive steering and Drive Mode Select as well as optional Dynamic Chassis Control for an adaptive damping system enable even better traction. Further enhancements include characteristic RS sports bumpers, gloss black exterior detailing, as well as sports seats with black leather upholstery extended to the steering wheel and dashboard trim.

The Enyaq RS iV SUV is the second all-electric Škoda to bear the RS badge, offering 299 PS and 0-100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds from its 82 kWh (77 kWh net) battery and twin electric motors. With one on each axle, the Enyaq RS iV produces 460 Nm of torque, with instant acceleration and powerful performance. The vehicle can be fast charged at speeds of 135 kW, meaning an 80% charge can be achieved in as little as 36 minutes.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Škoda Auto and the automotive industry faced many challenges in the past year, including the ongoing semiconductor shortage, the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues, rising energy and raw material prices and continuing geopolitical uncertainty. Despite these obstacles, the company delivered 731,300 vehicles and maintains a high order backlog, which demonstrates the strong customer demand for its vehicles. The rapidly increasing popularity of the Enyaq iV (+20%) highlights the success of Škoda’s recently launched e-offensive. In addition, Škoda’s efficient combustion engine models remain very popular, with the Octavia being the most successful, followed by the SUVs Kamiq and Kodiaq. In 2022, Škoda also significantly strengthened its internationalisation initiative: In the strategically important growth market of India, the carmaker has more than doubled its deliveries. Another key step in leveraging growth potential will be its expansion into the Vietnamese market.

 

Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO, says: “Never before in its recent history has Škoda Auto been confronted with such extensive challenges as in the past year. Despite these difficult times, our company is making steady progress thanks to an attractive and modern model portfolio comprising e-models and ICE cars, as well as our strong, motivated team and the close cooperation with our social partner, KOVO. We’ve demonstrated resilience, a quality that is more important than ever in a fast-changing environment. With the acceleration of our e-offensive, we’re well positioned for the upcoming years and will continue to strengthen the Czech Republic as a key automotive and e-mobility hub. The market situation will remain tense in 2023, but we’re cautiously optimistic that the situation will improve in the coming months. Furthermore, our strategy is already proving successful, and our products are very well received by customers. Thus, we’re building on a very solid foundation to successfully steer Škoda through 2023, when we will introduce the new generation of our Superb and Kodiaq, among other projects.

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, adds: “We delivered 731,300 vehicles worldwide last year, and we more than doubled our deliveries in India, already one of our three most important markets. The models we launched in 2022 are receiving a lot of interest from customers. The new Fabia Monte Carlo has had a good start, and the all-electric Enyaq iV continues to enjoy a significant increase in popularity. We accomplished all these achievements despite the coronavirus pandemic, the semiconductor shortage and the war in Ukraine. I want to thank our customers for their patience with the long delivery times that have resulted. We’re working hard to bring the cars to the customers as soon as possible. I would also like to thank all our partners – especially our dedicated dealers – for their extraordinary efforts. Some promising highlights will follow this year: the new generation of the Kodiaq and Superb, as well as facelifts of the Kamiq and Scala. Meanwhile, the work on our e-offensive is in full swing. We’ll be launching three new all-electric models as early as 2026, with more to follow.”

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The ŠKODA lighting design team has been awarded with a prestigious People Awards by the British online portal Car Design News (CDN). In the first-ever award decided with votes, the Czech car manufacturer came out on top against top-class competitors in the “Best Lighting Design Team” category. Representatives of ŠKODA Design accepted the award at a gala dinner in London’s Leicester Square. The jury comprising 17 renowned international automotive and design experts presented the People Awards in 14 categories to personalities responsible for the final product design. In addition, ŠKODA was one of the four finalists in the “Equality by Design” category at this year’s awards ceremony.

 

Ambience, user-friendliness and communication through light
In the “Best Lighting Design Team” category, Car Design News (CDN) awarded car designers who use light to create a more pleasant ambience in the interior, to increase user-friendliness and driving comfort or to communicate with other road users. The lighting design team of the Czech car manufacturer prevailed against four top-class competitors. The 17 internationally renowned jury members from the automotive and design industry judged the lighting design of the entire current ŠKODA product range and praised its unique lighting signature. This also characterises the Crystal Face in the battery-electric models of the ENYAQ iV family, with 131 LEDs that illuminate not only the vertical ribs but also the horizontal bar of the ŠKODA grille. Before entering the vehicle, the Crystal Face, together with the full LED matrix headlights and rear lights, creates an animated welcome effect.

Awards for the “Faces behind the Product”
The inaugural People Awards recognise individuals and teams in all areas of automotive design, rather than products, and aim to bring together young talent in the industry. The awards in 14 categories represent every step of the design process and are open to all designers in the international automotive industry. The UK online portal Car Design News provides news, insight and background information for the global car design community.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Škoda Auto and the automotive industry faced many challenges in the past year, including the ongoing semiconductor shortage, the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues, rising energy and raw material prices and continuing geopolitical uncertainty. Despite these obstacles, the company delivered 731,300 vehicles and maintains a high order backlog, which demonstrates the strong customer demand for its vehicles. The rapidly increasing popularity of the Enyaq iV (+20%) highlights the success of Škoda’s recently launched e-offensive. In addition, Škoda’s efficient combustion engine models remain very popular, with the Octavia being the most successful, followed by the SUVs Kamiq and Kodiaq. In 2022, Škoda also significantly strengthened its internationalisation initiative: In the strategically important growth market of India, the carmaker has more than doubled its deliveries. Another key step in leveraging growth potential will be its expansion into the Vietnamese market.

 

Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO, says: “Never before in its recent history has Škoda Auto been confronted with such extensive challenges as in the past year. Despite these difficult times, our company is making steady progress thanks to an attractive and modern model portfolio comprising e-models and ICE cars, as well as our strong, motivated team and the close cooperation with our social partner, KOVO. We’ve demonstrated resilience, a quality that is more important than ever in a fast-changing environment. With the acceleration of our e-offensive, we’re well positioned for the upcoming years and will continue to strengthen the Czech Republic as a key automotive and e-mobility hub. The market situation will remain tense in 2023, but we’re cautiously optimistic that the situation will improve in the coming months. Furthermore, our strategy is already proving successful, and our products are very well received by customers. Thus, we’re building on a very solid foundation to successfully steer Škoda through 2023, when we will introduce the new generation of our Superb and Kodiaq, among other projects.

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, adds: “We delivered 731,300 vehicles worldwide last year, and we more than doubled our deliveries in India, already one of our three most important markets. The models we launched in 2022 are receiving a lot of interest from customers. The new Fabia Monte Carlo has had a good start, and the all-electric Enyaq iV continues to enjoy a significant increase in popularity. We accomplished all these achievements despite the coronavirus pandemic, the semiconductor shortage and the war in Ukraine. I want to thank our customers for their patience with the long delivery times that have resulted. We’re working hard to bring the cars to the customers as soon as possible. I would also like to thank all our partners – especially our dedicated dealers – for their extraordinary efforts. Some promising highlights will follow this year: the new generation of the Kodiaq and Superb, as well as facelifts of the Kamiq and Scala. Meanwhile, the work on our e-offensive is in full swing. We’ll be launching three new all-electric models as early as 2026, with more to follow.”

Investing in a strong future
Škoda Auto is accelerating its electric offensive and investing in transformation: Over the coming years, the Czech car manufacturer will allocate a further 5.6 billion euros towards
e-mobility and 700 million euros towards digitalisation. The transformation is already visible: In the summer of 2022, the company unveiled its new brand identity with a refreshed design language, a new logo and a comprehensive update of the corporate identity (CI).

The car manufacturer is also continuing to internationalise the company and is about to enter the Vietnamese market. In cooperation with Thanh Cong Motor Vietnam (TC Motor) as a local partner, Škoda Auto will offer the first European models there during the first half of this year.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA has successfully defended its 5-star score in the independent European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) following the introduction of new, more stringent assessment criteria for the 2022 test year. The Czech car manufacturer’s bestseller achieved a total of 81% of the maximum points. The result will now be valid until the end of 2028 across the European Union as well as in the United Kingdom and Norway. The two previous OCTAVIA generations had also been awarded the maximum test score of five stars. Since 2008, all 14 new ŠKODA models have achieved the top rating.

 

Top scores for Adult and Child Occupant protection; higher rating for assistance systems
Under the new, stricter criteria, the fourth-generation ŠKODA OCTAVIA has successfully defended its five-star rating in the Euro NCAP reference test for crash safety, impressively confirming its reputation as one of the safest vehicles in its class. ŠKODA’s bestseller achieved the top score of five stars following its market launch in 2019. The new rating will be valid throughout the European Union, the United Kingdom and Norway until the end of 2028. The OCTAVIA scored 86% of the maximum possible points for Adult Occupant protection and 84% for Child Occupant protection. In terms of the Safety Assist systems included as standard, the OCTAVIA surpassed its 2019 result, rising from 79 to 81%.

Further upgrades to the safety equipment since summer 2022
In June 2022, ŠKODA AUTO further upgraded the OCTAVIA’s safety equipment. Since then, the hatchback and the OCTAVIA COMBI estate have been equipped with a central airbag between the driver and front passenger and a knee airbag for the driver as standard. Moreover, the latest generation of driver assistance systems automatically initiates braking manoeuvres when there is a risk of collision at junctions or with a cyclist riding across the lane. The Driver Alert fatigue detection system now also issues an audio-visual warning.

More demanding tests for more realistic accident simulation
The Euro NCAP test protocol valid since 2020 is more demanding than the previous one, when the fourth-generation OCTAVIA first achieved its five-star rating. The changes aim to achieve a more realistic simulation of actual accidents and their consequences. Up until 2019, the frontal impact test involved driving a vehicle into a solid wall with a deformable barrier at 64 km/h. Since early 2020, the test has used a 1,400-kilogram mobile barrier travelling at 50 km/h towards an oncoming vehicle also travelling at 50 km/h. In addition, a new generation of test dummy THOR-50M (Test device for Human Occupant Restraint) is used in the driver’s seat. It incorporates major advancements in terms of biofidelity and sensing and represents an average adult male weighing 76.6kg. In the side impact test, the speed of the barrier was increased from 50 km/h to 60 km/h, while its weight rose from 1,300 kilograms to 1,400 kilograms. These changes mean that the test vehicle has to safely absorb 55% more kinetic energy than before. The requirements for autonomous emergency braking have also become more demanding, for example, with the inclusion of more junction scenarios as well as collision protection for a cyclist crossing the road at right angles to the direction of travel and emerging from behind an obstacle. The speed range for autonomous braking scenarios has expanded by 10 and 15 km/h. Safety after an accident is now also evaluated. Among other things, this includes support for emergency services through safety data sheets in five languages and the eCall+ function for automatic communication with the emergency services. The Multi-Collision Brake and fatigue detection system delivering an audio-visual warning are also evaluated. The final score is based on a combination of the individual scores in four categories: Adult Occupant protection, Child Occupant protection, Vulnerable Road User protection and Safety Assist systems.

Euro NCAP tests since 1997
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) based in the Belgian city of Leuven is a scheme founded in 1997 by transport ministries, automobile clubs, insurance associations and research institutes from eight European countries. It conducts crash tests on current vehicle models and evaluates their active and passive safety as well as their rescue and recovery safety. While initially only the results of crash tests were evaluated, the ratings of active safety systems, as well as driver assistance systems, now have a greater weighting in the overall evaluation. Until 2019, the assessment criteria were tightened every two years. Since 2020, three-year intervals have applied, now covering not only active and passive safety scenarios but also tertiary safety aspects such as Emergency Call and information about the damaged vehicles for the integrated rescue system.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

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