ŠKODA’s UK market share increased once again to 3.1%. That compares to 2.7% for the same period in 2013. 

 

The new Octavia was ŠKODA’s most popular model in May with combined hatch and estate registrations of 1,735. The new Yeti and Fabia (hatch and estate) completed the top three with 1169 and 1072 registrations respectively. Citigo recorded 898 registrations, with the Rapid (hatch and Spaceback) rounding off the top five with 652 models registered. The ŠKODA Superb (hatch and estate) reached 564 registrations and 249 Roomster were delivered to customers in May. 

 

“We want to continue the positive development and to grow further with new models over the coming years,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing. “Therefore we are going to strengthen the emotional vibrancy of the brand. ŠKODA Yeti Xtreme – as a dynamic and powerful compact SUV concept – demonstrates the brand’s strong expertise in four-wheel drive technology, as well as our know-how when it comes to rally sports.” 

 

In creating the ŠKODA Yeti Xtreme, ŠKODA designers have converted their successful compact SUV into a particularly sporty and dynamic rally design. The show car combines the power of an all-wheel drive SUV with strong design elements and equipment features of a racy rally car. 

 

The car is powered by a 1.8 112 kW strong TSI engine and features a six-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG). The maximum torque of 250 Nm is achieved between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm. The Yeti Xtreme accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds; its top speed is 192 km/h. The Yeti Xtreme features special Octavia RS brakes. 

 

The striking matt-grey Yeti stands on powerful 17-inch alloy wheels and large off-road tyres. It features tinted side windows, roof and wheel rim inserts are set off in bright yellow-green. At the front, the brawny athlete has a powerful bumper and a large air intake, along with LED headlights. For robust sporting use, the height of the chassis can be adjusted. 

 

The ŠKODA Yeti Xtreme flexes its muscles with strikingly shaped wings and powerful door sills. At the rear, the strong rear bumper bears witness to the power and dynamics of the vehicle, so do the two wide exhaust tailpipes, which sound particularly throaty as a result of the absence of silencers. The boot includes a spare wheel and so-called ‘recovery tracks’, special traction mats that can be pushed under the wheels, should the car get stuck in sand. 

 

The interior wows with a racy rally design and includes equipment required for rally use. Passengers can sit on 4 individual Recaro sports seats with integrated four-point safety belts. Other features include the ‘Super Sport’ steering wheel with integrated gearshift paddles. 

 

The designers have used selected high-tech materials for various parts in the car’s interior: the inner door covers have been made entirely from carbon fibre; a sand shovel and a thermos flask have been integrated into holders fitted in the panelling; the floor panel is made from aluminium. 

 

The Colour & Trim package includes further carbon fibre elements and high-quality, dark Alcantara surface with green colour accents. Further aluminium details can be found throughout, such as aluminium pedals and special door sill plates. The centre console has been completely re-defined. This is where standard rally car accessories, such as a belt cutter and a fire extinguisher, can be found. An iPad cradle is integrated into the dashboard, a first aid kit into the glove box. 

 

With the ŠKODA Yeti Xtreme, the manufacturer once again demonstrates the versatile potential of its popular compact SUV. The ŠKODA Yeti was completely redesigned in 2013 and is now available in two exciting versions for the first time: the ŠKODA Yeti for the city and the adventurous ŠKODA Yeti Outdoor for rough terrain. The Czech manufacturer celebrated its premiere in the dynamically growing SUV segment with the ŠKODA Yeti in 2009. Around 640,000 ŠKODA Yetis have been sold to date. The brand achieved a market share of more than 4% in the compact SUV segment within the European Union last year, making the Yeti one of the best-selling A-class SUVs in Europe. 

 

The ŠKODA CitiJet design concept is going to be another highlight of ŠKODA’s appearance at Wörthersee. The vehicle is a dynamic and emotionally designed city-cabriolet based on the ŠKODA Citigo. The two-seater is the result of the ŠKODA apprentices’ project, carried out for the first time this year. Six months in the making, 16 ŠKODA apprentices present the fruits of their labour to the public for the first time.

 

The ŠKODA CitiJet features a distinctive metallic finish in blue and white and has sporty, blue 16-inch alloy wheels, accompanied by a handmade rear spoiler and a powerful exhaust with two tailpipes. A 1.0 MPI petrol engine with 55 kW (75 PS) can be found under the bonnet. 

 

The car features a sporty interior, with equipment based on the interior of the special edition ŠKODA Citigo SPORT. In addition, the creators have installed a special 300 W sound system, and music-reactive blue LED interior lighting.

 

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

 

Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, commented: “The JD Power survey is acknowledged throughout the automotive world as a benchmark standard for customer satisfaction. For ŠKODA to have been in the top 10 for over 20 years is outstanding, and tribute to the hard work of everyone associated with the brand.” 

 

ŠKODA came fourth overall in the brand rankings for 2014, just as it did last year. It remains a fantastic achievement considering the top three spots are all held by premium marques. 

 

Also repeating its success of 2013 was the ŠKODA Yeti compact SUV, which was placed third out of 109 ranked cars and took the overall title in the SUV category. The judges commented: “Owners like the spacious cabin and that they can get in and out of it easily. The raised driving height and large windows mean that the driver’s view of the road is very good, too.” 

 

The ŠKODA Octavia came 7th overall, with the Superb in 15th position. 

 

Judged by thousands of car owners who live with their vehicles day-to-day, JD Power is one of the most influential and eagerly anticipated reports in UK motoring. The results are published in the July of What Car? magazine.

 

In that time, ŠKODA UK has expanded its team of fleet specialists at its head office and in the regions, increased the number of dedicated Business Centres within the retailer network and launched the new SE Business vehicle range which has been tailored specifically to the needs of company car drivers. 

 

Praising ŠKODA for its achievements, Steve Moody, Editor of Fleet World explained: The ‘Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer’ is an award that ŠKODA has been threatening to win for a number of years with its phenomenal growth in fleet. It has finally clinched it thanks to the increased sales team, business-specific models, a hardening residual value position and the improvement in its business centre network.” 

 

Continuing ŠKODA’s winning streak for the last three years, the third-generation Octavia was named ‘Best Estate Car’. The model took the title thanks to its exceptional combination of all-round space (Up to 1,740 litres with the seats down) and affordability. This is complemented by a choice of highly efficient engines with emissions as low as 99g/km and fuel consumption as high as 74.3 mpg. 

 

Steve Moody added: “Estates are all about good old-fashioned practicality and nothing achieves that with such panache as the new Octavia. The SE Business and vRS diesel models are selling really well in fleet and you have a great value, genuinely useful car for job-need and user chooser drivers.” 

 

Patrick McGillycuddy, Head of Fleet, ŠKODA UK said: “We are very pleased to have been recognised by industry leaders as the manufacturer that has made the most significant progress during the past year. We have taken large steps to grow our team, brand presence and model line-up for company car drivers and our ever increasing market share within fleet demonstrates that this strategy is clearly paying off.” 

 

He adds: “The first half of this year has so far seen very strong demand for the Octavia Estate from fleet users, particularly now that it is available as part of the SE Business range. We are delighted that we can add yet another award to this model’s rapidly expanding trophy cabinet.”

 

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk