ŠKODA’s appearance at the 2012 Paris Automobile Salon (27th September – 14th October, 2012) will be dominated by the ŠKODA Rapid as the new compact hatch makes its world debut. Rapid will be the first model in the ŠKODA range to feature ŠKODA’s new design language and will be introduced in Europe from the end of October, continuing ŠKODA’s international model offensive.

In launching the new ŠKODA Rapid, ŠKODA ignites the next stage of its model offensive; no surprise, then, that the brand’s new compact hatch is at the centre of ŠKODA’s appearance at the Mondial in Paris. “The ŠKODA Rapid is ŠKODA’s new class and it has a central importance for our 2018 growth strategy. We think that in the years ahead, the Rapid will become our largest volume model after the Octavia,” says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland. “Our new model line sets standards amongst compact hatch models and it is a ŠKODA in the best sense: roomy, elegant and affordable at the same time, a car for the whole family, with clever solutions, modern technology, high efficiency and the best price-value ratio,” says Vahland.

The ŠKODA Rapid complements ŠKODA’s model palette between the smaller ŠKODA Fabia and the larger ŠKODA Octavia. The car’s extremely generous space offering is the benchmark in the segment. No other car in the segment offers as much knee and headroom space and as large a boot volume (550 litres) as the new ŠKODA Rapid. “This is an extremely flexible hatch, and its boot has estate-car qualities,” says Vahland.

“Simply clever”: the car with the ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap

As with every ŠKODA, the subject of practicality has a special emphasis in the new ŠKODA Rapid. The new model features no less than 19 “simply clever” solutions. One example of such a solution that is especially ingenious, is the ice scraper integrated in the fuel filler flap, providing the ice scraper with a fixed space in the car, meaning no more cumbersome searches in winter. Other practical solutions include the reversible floor covering in the boot and practical holder underneath the driver’s seat for the warning vest that is mandatory in many countries.

The ŠKODA Rapid is the brand’s first series car to feature ŠKODA’s new design language: attractive, modern, clear, precise and timelessly elegant. At the centre of the car’s front is the new ŠKODA logo: a precisely executed winged arrow in chrome set on a black matte base and framed by a fine chrome line. The positioning of the car’s fog-lamps and headlights is reminiscent of a cloverleaf. The Rapid’s elegant side aspect impresses with a coupé-like silhouette and a clear division of surfaces and lines. The car’s rear end again stands for clarity, freshness and precision: the taillights show the ŠKODA-typical C-shape design in its new shape with a fine crystalline grind.

In the field of safety, the ŠKODA Rapid impresses with comprehensive active and passive safety equipment. The engine line-up in Europe includes four petrol and two diesel aggregates, with five especially efficient GreenTech variants also available from launch.

ŠKODA at the MONDIAL DE L’AUTOMOBILE 2012 in Paris:

• ŠKODA location: Pavilion 4, Stand 215
• ŠKODA press conference: Thursday 27th September 2012, 09:35 a.m.
• Number of ŠKODA vehicles on display on the first press day: 8 – all Rapid
• Number of ŠKODA vehicles on display on the second press day: 11 (5x Rapid, 1x Citigo 5 door, 1x Citigo 3 door, 1x Fabia Monte Carlo, 1x Yeti, 1x Octavia Estate vRS, 1x Superb Estate L&K)
• Number of ŠKODA vehicles on display on the general-public days: 11 (3x Rapid, 1x Citigo 5 door, 1x Citigo 3 door, 1x Fabia Monte Carlo, 1x Yeti, 1x Octavia Estate, 1x Octavia Estate vRS, 1x Superb Estate L&K, 1x Roomster)
• Press days: Thursday 27th September – Friday 28th September, 2012
• General-public days: Saturday 29th September – Sunday 14th October, 2012

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA is once again delivering outstanding value for money and engineering as the Czech manufacturer announces two UK limited-edition versions of its multi award-winning Octavia – the Octavia SE Connect and Octavia vRS Blackline. With a reputation as a great family car – thanks to its combination of style, reliability, comfort and class-leading interior space – the Octavia is set to broaden its appeal even further as ŠKODA announces exceptional offers on both.The

The Octavia SE Connect is based on the already highly popular SE trim, but features £1,680 worth of extra equipment. ŠKODA is now also offering an additional 25% off the Octavia SE Connect, meaning this version of ŠKODA’s critically acclaimed model is available as a hatch from £13,990 OTR (originally £18,650 OTR); the price of the estate is reduced from £19,690 to £14,760 OTR. It comes with a 1.6 TDI CR 105PS DPF engine and manual transmission and with exhaust CO2 emissions of just 119g/km, it is the ideal vehicle for both fleet and retail customers.

A generous standard equipment list extends to 16-inch ‘Crateris’ alloy wheels, rear acoustic parking sensors and GSM II telephone preparation and metallic paint, plus ŠKODA’s mobile device interface (MDI) connectivity package and Maxidot functionality.

Just 2,000 of these cars are available to order now from ŠKODA retailers.

ŠKODA has also announced details of a new limited-edition version of its performance flagship Octavia vRS family car, featuring a host of additional equipment at no extra cost.

Badged the Octavia vRS Blackline, the new model is on sale now in both hatch and estate body styles. Featuring stunning 18-inch black alloy wheels, the car boasts a standard specification list that includes acoustic rear parking sensors, Amundsen satellite navigation system, DAB radio and vRS leather upholstery. In total, this represents more than £1,900 of extras.

The Octavia vRS Blackline comes with ŠKODA’s acclaimed 2.0-litre TDI CR 170PS DPF engine and customers have the choice of either six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic transmissions. Three vibrant exterior colours are also available: Candy White, Black Magic pearl effect or Race Blue metallic.

Prices range from £21,260 to £23,495 OTR depending on which body style and gearbox is selected. In addition ŠKODA’s legendary pay no VAT offer still applies.

To make the deal even sweeter, the Octavia vRS Blackline offer also includes three years of free servicing for customers who wish to take advantage of ŠKODA Finance’s low rate of just 7.9% APR representative with a £500 deposit contribution paid for by the manufacturer.

500 of these cars are now available nationwide to order from ŠKODA retailers.

Chris Horrell, Product Marketing Manager for ŠKODA UK, commented: “Offering customers exceptional value is at the heart of our business, and I can think of no clearer indication of that than these two outstanding deals.”

The Octavia is the most successful ŠKODA model in the company’s 117-year history. Since production of the MkI car began in 1996, 3.6 million have been sold worldwide. It is also the Czech brand’s first 200mph car after a specially prepared vRS, engineered by ŠKODA UK technicians, was officially timed at 227.080mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, in August 2011.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

The ŠKODA Citigo has proved its environmental credentials are second to none by winning the What Car? Green Award in the supermini sector.

The magazine’s judges picked the Citigo SE 1.0-litre 60PS GreenTech five-door as best in class. Their deliberations included data on fuel economy and CO2 emissions, as well as levels of nitrous oxides and particulates in exhaust gases.

The What Car? team praised the Citigo’s fuel-saving technologies such as engine Stop/start and regenerative braking, suggesting these would make it even cheaper to run than other versions of the already-frugal Citigo. The category-winning model has an official fuel economy of 68.9mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of only 96g/km.

But the Green Awards aren’t just about high mileage and low emissions. The judges also evaluated whole-life costs, driveability and reliability.

Chas Hallett, What Car? Editor-in-Chief, commented: “The ŠKODA Citigo offers consumers a great way to reduce their motoring emissions and costs. Put simply, it’s a brilliant little car that offers superb ride and refinement as well as a surprisingly roomy and classy interior.”

Sponsored by EDF Energy and now in their fifth year, the complete Green Award results are published in the November 2012 issue of What Car? (on sale 20 September).

The critically acclaimed Citigo is the smallest car ŠKODA has built in its 117 history and is packed with ‘Simply Clever’ features. Redefining what customers should expect from urban transport, the four-seater has the largest boot in its class. Depending on model, fuel economy ranges from 62.8mpg to 68.9mpg, with CO2 emissions from 105g/km to 96g/km. Power outputs of 60PS and 75PS are available from its 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and prices start from £7,630.

For more information on the award-winning ŠKODA Citigo, why not take a look at our Citigo section.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk