It’s ŠKODA’s second success in a week as the popular magazine reveals its annual questionnaire results, compiled from thousands of magazine reader responses and completed online questionnaires. Just seven days ago, the ŠKODA Yeti, Superb and Octavia all finished in the top five of the ‘Best Car’ category.

Commenting on ŠKODA’s latest achievement, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler said: “ŠKODA has said it’s a manufacturer of happy drivers and we believe it. Coming top in Driver Power is tough; today’s car buyer is more demanding than ever and every manufacturer is trying its hardest to improve its survey ratings. But ŠKODA, more than any other car maker, seems to get the basics right, and then goes above and beyond to keep its customers happier for longer.”

Robert Hazelwood, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, was delighted with the recognition. “For us to win this award for four years straight is an enormous achievement. It proves our brand continues to move in the right direction with its products, dealers and core values.”

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA is resolutely pursuing its model offensive, presenting its new compact saloon, the ŠKODA Rapid, just a few months after the introduction of the ŠKODA Citigo subcompact. The brand’s most recent addition is to play a central role in the company’s growth strategy and will be phased in on European markets from the autumn of 2012.

The ŠKODA Rapid impresses with lots of room, an expressive design, an excellent price-value ratio, a comprehensive safety offering and efficient engines. “This is a model which sets benchmarks in the compact saloon segment: The ŠKODA Rapid is a roomy, elegant and at the same time an affordable car for the whole family, impressing with clever solutions, cutting-edge technology and high economy. In short, it is a car permitting mobility in a comfortable, reasonably priced and environmentally friendly package. The right car at the right time,” says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland.

The Rapid is a perfect complement of the model palette between the ŠKODA Fabia and the ŠKODA Octavia, making it at home in the large-volume compact segment. This so-called A segment currently accounts for about 36 per cent of the world’s automobile market. Within this class, saloons have a share of around 42 per cent. Industry experts estimate the number of cars of this type sold worldwide will rise by about 50 per cent by the year 2020.

ŠKODA’s Rapid first to show complete new design

The Rapid is the first ŠKODA series car ever to fully feature the brand’s newly formulated design language. “This is a car that gives out a clear statement at first glance: clear, precise, fresh and emotional,” says Eckhard Scholz, ŠKODA board member for technical development.

Perfect proportions, clear and cleanly modelled surfaces and sharply drawn lines combine to create an attractive overall appearance. The front end displays a new take on ŠKODA-typical design elements. The new brand logo confidently stands out on the harmonically rounded front edge of the bonnet. The grille shows a finely drawn chrome frame and is formed by vertical slats. The headlight ensemble is grouped at the front of the ŠKODA Rapid to form a cloverleaf shape.

The body’s side also conveys pure emotion though a long wheelbase and a coupé-like silhouette, but also thanks to a precise and sharp tornado line creating a clear division of light and shadow. At the rear, the car’s large tailgate is not merely functional, but also acts as a design element. In addition, distinctly shaped taillights in the brand’s typical C shape and the new brand logo all combine to make the ŠKODA Rapid unmistakable.

ŠKODA’s latest offspring impresses with a surprising amount of space despite compact exterior dimensions (4.48 metres in length, 1.7 metres in width). This clever compact saloon provides room for five occupants and their baggage and, this being a ŠKODA, the brand’s signature clever solutions and excellent price-value ratio as well as comprehensive safety equipment. Five petrol and two diesel engines are on offer as powerplants. ŠKODA’s newest creation will be on public display for the first time at the Paris Auto Salon. ŠKODA is aiming the Rapid especially at families looking for a roomy first car at an affordable price in ŠKODA’s familiar quality.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk