ŠKODA is again the most dependable car brand in Great Britain. The result was confirmed for a second consecutive time by the J.D.Power market research company‘s 2016 study.

Moreover, ŠKODA YETI and ŠKODA FABIA top the ranking in their segments. The renowned ‘J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)’ took place for a second time in 2016. The study focuses on cars registered by their owners between the years 2013 and 2015, which means the vehicles are now 12 to 36 months old. J.D. Power collected responses from more than 13,000 original car owners around Great Britain, inquiring about problems they had experienced with their vehicles in the past 12 months. J.D. Power examined 177 problem symptoms divided into eight categories including engine and transmission; vehicle exterior; driving experience; displays and controls; infotainment; seats; air conditioning and vehicle interior.

Ranking of the VDS study is determined by the number of problems specified per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. With only 66 points ŠKODA leads the ranking, surpassing the runner-up by 13 points. The Czech car manufacturer thus beats its own result from last year by 11 points. The overall average for all participating brands is 113 points.

In addition, excellent quality of the ŠKODA cars convinced also owners in individual car segments. ŠKODA FABIA received the highest award in the small car segment while ŠKODA YETI dominated the compact SUV category. ŠKODA OCTAVIA rounded off the overall result for the brand with second place among compact cars. Second largest sales market in Western Europe and fourth largest market in the world, the British Isles are of key importance for ŠKODA.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

The ŠKODA Superb has increased its remarkable tally of industry accolades by adding The Telegraph’s ‘Best Family Car 2016’ title to its collection. The Superb was named as a clear winner in the 2016 Telegraph Car Awards – seeing off some of the stiffest competition in the sector.

Milton Keynes, 8 July, 2016: The Awards were judged by The Telegraph’s panel of road test experts with the findings based on a wide variety of factors including road tests, first drives and extended ownership assessments. The Superb was praised for its driving dynamics and high levels of equipment, with the panel highlighting its generous levels of interior space.

Commenting on the award, The Telegraph’s judges said: “You don’t even need to upgrade to the estate model to get huge practicality from ŠKODA’s Superb. Throw in a smooth ride, great safety credentials and low running costs and you’ve got a fantastic family car.”

This latest title comes in the same week that Auto Express named the Superb Best Family Car and Best Estate car as part of its 2016 New Car Awards. Since its launch last September, the third-generation Superb has won 11 industry awards in the UK – making it one of the most decorated cars in ŠKODA’s history.

The Superb range starts from £19,060 for the hatch version and £20,260 for the estate. Available with five trim grades, including the all-new SportLine variant - power outputs range from 120PS to 280PS, while transmission options include DSG automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Works duo Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler score fourth consecutive win in Rally Bohemia held in vicinity of ŠKODA headquarters in Mladá Boleslav.

Record chaser Jan Kopecký (CZ) scored a celebrated victory in his spectacular black FABIA R5 in ŠKODA’s home event. Together with co-driver Pavel Dresler (CZ) the 34-year-old won Rally Bohemia, which takes place in the vicinity of the ŠKODA headquarters in Mladá Boleslav, for the fourth consecutive time. The confident works duo therefore remained unbeaten again in the fourth event of the current Czech Rally Championship (MČR) season and are well on course to defend their championship title. Approximately an hour earlier, the FABIA R5 drivers Teemu Suninen/Mikko Markkula (FIN/FIN) triumphed in Rally Poland taking place around 600 kilometres away, thereby giving ŠKODA its fifth consecutive win in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2).

„It really has been a successful rally weekend for ŠKODA. Well done to the entire ŠKODA Motorsport team for having masterfully handled the added strain of competing in two such important rallies,“ said ŠKODA Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek in summary. „Once again, Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler demonstrated that they are the epitome of reliability. The special one-off black paintwork of our ŠKODA FABIA R5 was also a great success. The thousands of fans who attended our home event were highly impressed.“

The black rally vehicle was indeed a real eye-catcher on the tracks and at the Rally Bohemia service park. The livery of the turbocharged four-wheel drive vehicle was a nod to the legendary ŠKODA 110 SUPER SPORT (Ferat), which achieved cult status in what was then Czechoslovakia thanks to the film Ferat Vampire. ŠKODA marked the 35th anniversary of the release of the horror science fiction film with the black FABIA R5, with a screening of the film, with a major exhibition at the museum and, of course, with Jan Kopecký’s spectacular rally show on the asphalt tracks lined by thousands of fans.

The experienced ŠKODA driver took the lead after the second special stage and continuously extended his lead with excellent fastest times on the asphalt tracks, which were slippery following rain. At the end of a good 150 special stage kilometres, Kopecký had a lead of 1:00.4 minutes over his arch-rival Václav Pech (CZ). It was the sixth Rally Bohemia win for Kopecký after wins in 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014 and 2015, bringing him closer to record holder Roman Kresta (CZ). Kopecký has won all nine races in which he has appeared in the new FABIA R5 in the Czech championship in 2015 and 2016. ŠKODA also remains unbeaten at Rally Bohemia since 2009.

“A win in ŠKODA’s home event has always been especially important to us. The conditions were challenging on the slippery tracks, but we maintained control. It was great to see up close just how impressed the fans were by our black FABIA R5,” commented Kopecký. German youngster Fabian Kreim, who made his Czech Rally Championship debut with the support of ŠKODA Motorsport, likewise put in a strong performance. He was on course for a podium position on the first day, but was then set back by a flat tyre and ultimately came seventh.

The ŠKODA Park was once again a big success, in spite of the poor weather. The special activities marking the anniversary of the cult film Ferat Vampire proved to be especially popular.

Rally Bohemia 2016 – final results:
1. Kopecký/Dresler (CZ/CZ)  ŠKODA FABIA R5   1:32:35.3 hrs
2. Pech/Uhel (CZ/CZ)    Porsche 997 GT3  + 1:00.4 min
3. Vlček/Žáková (CZ/CZ)   Ford Fiesta R5    + 2:06.7 min
4. Štajf/Rajnoha (CZ/CZ)   ŠKODA FABIA R5   + 2:27.9 min
5. Jakeš/Ehlová (CZ/CZ)   Citroën DS3 R5   + 3:06.8 min

Czech Rally Championship (MČR) 2016:
Rally Šumava Klatovy   29.04.–30.04.2016
Rally Český Krumlov   27.05.–28.05.2016
Rally Hustopeče   17.06.–18.06.2016
Rally Bohemia   02.07.–03.07.2016
Barum Czech Rally Zlín   26.08.–28.08.2016
Rally Příbram    30.09.–01.10.2016

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

ŠKODA is beginning its major SUV campaign with the ŠKODA KODIAQ. The 4.70-m-long SUV is a real all-rounder. It offers the largest boot capacity within its class.

With the optional third row of seats, it has yet another unique selling point in the segment. The ŠKODA KODIAQ represents all of the brand’s strengths – expressive design, a high degree of functionality and many ‘Simply Clever’ features. With the ŠKODA KODIAQ, which will go on sale at the beginning of 2017, new emphasis is being placed on infotainment, assistance systems and connectivity.

With the ŠKODA KODIAQ, ŠKODA is entering a new market segment that is growing quickly across the world – the large SUV class. With this campaign, the company wants to engage new customer groups, increase its market shares and further strengthen its position in international markets. The ŠKODA KODIAQ demonstrates where ŠKODA stands today, and it also points to the future – with a variety of new technology and future-oriented features in terms of connectivity, including mobile online services for the best information and safety.

“Our new ŠKODA KODIAQ SUV is a great all-rounder,” said ŠKODA CEO, Bernhard Maier. “It combines an active sense of vitality with the brand’s classic qualities – a high degree of functionality and an outstanding amount of space. As always, in the design process we have focused on offering a little bit more car, and as a result, the best vehicle in the segment. In addition, with its emotive design, the ŠKODA KODIAQ is a strong presence on the road.”

Full of character: transfer of design language into the SUV segment
Even at first glance, the ŠKODA KODIAQ is a true ŠKODA: with a design that is full of character and emotion, and thereby brings the brand’s new design language into the SUV segment. In day-to-day use, it offers a variety of qualities for family, leisure and business. Whether as a five- or seven-seater, the ŠKODA KODIAQ has plenty of space for everyone and everything. In addition, with a capacity of up to 2,065 litres, the five-seater boasts the largest boot within its class. The longitudinally adjustable rear seats come as standard, the backrests can be tilted as required.

Ease of use, excellent workmanship and the ‘Simply Clever’ philosophy are ŠKODA’s defining characteristics. The ŠKODA KODIAQ introduces new and extraordinary concepts, including plastic door-edge protection that deploys automatically to avoid damaging the vehicle in garages or car parks. There is an electric child safety lock for the youngest passengers as well as a sleep comfort package with special headrests for long trips.

At the top of the segment: connectivity solutions
With innovative connectivity solutions, the ŠKODA KODIAQ is at the top end of its segment. The infotainment elements originate from Volkswagen Group’s second-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix. They offer numerous functions and interfaces, and are all equipped with capacitive touchscreens. The top-of-the-range Columbus and Amundsen systems come with a WiFi hotspot. As an optional extra, there is an LTE module for the Columbus system – it establishes an Internet connection using the fastest mobile communications standard currently available. Passengers can use this to browse online and send emails using their mobile phones and tablets to their hearts’ content.

The new mobile online services from ŠKODA are compatible with LTE, and are divided into two categories: the Infotainment Online services provide information and navigation, and the Care Connect services provide breakdown and emergency assistance. The eCall emergency button, which will be required for all new cars in Europe from 2018, is already now part of the Care Connect service. Other online services run via the ŠKODA Connect app. They can be used to check, configure and find a car from afar via a smartphone.

The ŠKODA KODIAQ reaches a new level when it comes to the intelligent pairing of car and smartphone. The SmartLink platform, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLinkTM and SmartGate, is optional for the entry-level Swing infotainment system. SmartLink is a standard feature for more advanced infotainment systems. The Phonebox with inductive charging connects the smartphone to the roof aerial and charges it wirelessly.

Reliable support: driver assistance systems
In the ŠKODA KODIAQ, a wide range of driving assistance systems is available. The Area View cameras, new for ŠKODA, display the car’s immediate surroundings on the monitor. When a trailer is attached to the large SUV, the Tow Assist system takes over manoeuvring when reversing slowly. The new predictive pedestrian protection function complements Front Assist. Parking Distance Control with braking function, also new, provides support with parking manoeuvres – the ŠKODA KODIAQ brakes automatically as soon as it detects an obstacle.

Furthermore, additional driver assistance systems are available for the ŠKODA KODIAQ. They keep the car at a safe distance from vehicles in front, make it easier for the driver to change and stay in lane, alert the driver to important traffic signs and assist when parking.

Powerful and agile: engines and chassis
When the ŠKODA KODIAQ launches at the beginning of 2017, there will be a choice of five engines: two TDIs and three TSIs. The most powerful petrol engine, the 2.0-litre TSI, provides dynamic driving performance with a power output of 132 kW (180 PS); it works just as efficiently as a lower capacity powertrain thanks to a newly developed combustion process. The high proportion of high-strength steel in the body makes the ŠKODA KODIAQ unusually lightweight – another important factor in its efficiency.

A range of technology is available for the transmission – six-speed manual gearbox, DSG transmission, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The large SUV from the Czech Republic negotiates all types of streets in a balanced and comfortable, yet dynamic and nimble way. The driving experience becomes even more appealing when the car features Driving Mode Select and the new Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). Using these, operation of the steering, accelerator, DSG transmission and suspension can be configured in multiple modes.

The new ŠKODA KODIAQ feels equally at home on rough terrain. Upon reaching the end of the road, the off-road mode supports the driver when using four-wheel drive. At the touch of a button, all the relevant systems – engine management, assistance systems, electronic chassis systems, such as ABS and ESC, as well as the suspension if combined with the optional DCC – automatically adjust to off-road conditions.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA strengthening activities in areas of ‘Company-wide digitization’, ‘Connectivity/Connected Car’ and ‘Future Mobility Concepts’. Digitisation plays key role in every area of ŠKODA Strategy 2025.

ŠKODA is strengthening the organisation with the new field of ‘Digitisation’. In doing so, the Czech car maker is creating an important prerequisite to generate the solutions in response to technological change. Under the topic of digitisation, the main tasks include developing new products and mobility services. In addition, the field will strengthen the entire company in preparation for digital transformation.

“For decades, innovations in digital technology have been setting the pace in many areas of our lives and our industry,” says ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier. “This development is happening with such force and penetration that it dwarfs everything the industry has experienced in the past. The car is only a part of the broader revolution. By utilizing innovative technologies we will make our customers’ lives on the road easier, more effective and more interesting.”

Digitisation is a key action point under ŠKODA’s recently announced Strategy 2025. As a cross-function, this will involve all areas of the company - from the education and training of the workforce, vehicle development with the aid of modern virtual reality and 3D technologies, to car production according to guiding principle of industry 4.0. In the future, digitisation will have an increasingly strong influence on ŠKODA’s traditional business sector of automobile manufacturing.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

The ŠKODA Superb has increased its remarkable tally of industry accolades by adding The Telegraph’s ‘Best Family Car 2016’ title to its collection. The Superb was named as a clear winner in the 2016 Telegraph Car Awards – seeing off some of the stiffest competition in the sector.

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