ŠKODA again the main sponsor of the Tour de France in 2012

  • Czech manufacturer supports the classic bike race for the ninth time
  • Brand to be present at the tour with 110 vehicles and activities
  • Cycling an important corner stone of the ŠKODA sponsorship strategy

ŠKODA AUTO will again be the main sponsor and official vehicle partner of the Tour de France in 2012. The automobile manufacturer’s support of the 99th edition of the classic bike race will already mark the ninth time that ŠKODA have sponsored the Tour.

“In the next three weeks, the Tour de France will excite cycling fans from all over the world,” says Jürgen Stackmann, ŠKODA’s board member for Sales and Marketing. “As the main sponsor, we share in this excitement for cycling. For ŠKODA – being the third-oldest vehicle brand of the world still in operation – began its success story with the manufacture of bicycles in the year 1895. And in 2012, an audience of billions will again see our brand and our models thanks to the Tour,” according to Stackmann.

Within the framework of their sponsorship activities, the Czechs will send a vehicle fleet of approximately 110 vehicles to France. Moreover, the brand is the partner of the ‘White Jersey’ – for the best rider under 25 years – and supports five professional teams and two technical assistance teams.

ŠKODA will provide the 110 vehicles to the organisers of the Tour de France. In doing so, the car manufacturer will deploy its entire current model range from the Citigo to the Superb. Besides the escort vehicles for the organisers and riders, the red ŠKODA Superb of Tour director Christian Prudhomme may catch people’s eyes. ŠKODA will also participate actively in the advertising caravan. The so-called ‘caravane publicitaire’ drives one to two hours ahead of the field and is a very popular attraction for spectators due to its varied accompanying program.

This year’s Tour de France again promises top-class cycling. The famous/infamous ‘tour of suffering’ attracts approximately 15 million people along its route, plus about two billion TV viewers throughout the world. Only the World Cup and the Olympic Games attract more people. In 2012, the Tour de France will start with the traditional prologue in the Belgian town of Liège on June 30th. On July 22nd, after having covered 3,479 kilometers, the riders will reach the finish line on the Paris Boulevard of Champs-Elysées.

“With it vigor and its wide audience appeal, this sport is a perfect match for the ŠKODA brand,” according to Jürgen Stackmann. Besides ice-hockey, cycling is the most important pillar of ŠKODA’s sponsorship strategy. That also includes the commitment to cycling as a mass sport. For example, the manufacturer supports the Czech event ‘Cycling for Life’ as well as the ‘Velothon’ held in the German capital of Berlin.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Mikkelsen extends IRC lead with 2nd in San Marino

ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen has extended his lead in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge after finishing 2nd on the San Marino Rally (July 6-7) in his factory-prepared Fabia S2000. The reigning Drivers’ champion is now 24 points ahead of Jan Kopecký (ŠKODA Motorsport), while ŠKODA increases its lead in the Manufacturers’ standings to 128 points, as the 13 round series moves into the second half of the season. 

Co-driven by Ola Fløene, Andreas drove magnificently to lead the narrow, twisty and dusty gravel event for eight stages (SS3-10), despite running first on the road during Leg 1 and sweeping the loose gravel away for the cars following. His normally aspirated Fabia S2000 was also at a disadvantage on the many uphill hairpin sections against the turbocharged car of Giandomenico Basso, yet his inch-perfect driving saw Andreas record six fastest stage times compared to Basso’s five over the two day event.

Andreas entered the 13th and final stage 3.8 seconds behind Basso. It was a stage that favoured the turbocharged car, as Basso had been quicker on both previous runs through it. With finishing well and scoring valuable IRC points the main priority, Andreas was one second quicker than Basso over the final test to secure 2nd place – finishing just 2.8 seconds adrift after over two and a half hours and 118.2 miles (190.3kms) of competition.

ŠKODA Fabia S2000s filled the next two positions, with Umberto Scandola finishing 3rd and initial rally leader Sepp Wiegand 4th.

Andreas: “The stages on this year’s San Marino Rally have been some of the most difficult gravel ones I have ever competed on, especially when we were running first on the road and sweeping the loose gravel. The roads were so narrow and twisty, with so many trees and bushes hanging into the road, that it was impossible to see the exit of corners, so I’m very pleased with our speed and performance. When the stages were fast we were the fastest, but on the many uphill hairpin sections we lost out to the turbocharged car. We came to San Marino to score as many IRC points as possible and to extend our lead in the series, so I’m very happy that we’ve achieved that.”

In addition to broadcasting recorded highlights of the event, Eurosport cameras have been following Andreas and Ola during the San Marino Rally for its Inside IRC programme, which is scheduled to be broadcast at 23.30 (CET) on Tuesday 10 July (check TV listings for regional times).

The next round of the IRC is the Sibiu Rally Romania (20-21 July).

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

New ŠKODA Citigo: A small ŠKODA For the city 

  • ŠKODA enters the city car segment with its sixth production model
  • The ŠKODA Citigo will be launched in the Czech market in late 2011
  • Launched in the UK and rest of Europe from summer 2012
  • First-class safety features, attractive design and economical petrol engines

ŠKODA is continuing its growth offensive by introducing its sixth production model. Citigo is the name of ŠKODA's exciting new city car. The brand's new model will make its debut in its domestic market, the Czech Republic, before the end of this year, with the UK and other European countries following at the beginning of summer 2012. Offering impressive amounts of space and four seats, the Citigo will be launched in three-door and five-door versions.

“The Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. It paves the way for tremendous opportunities in a new segment,” said ŠKODA Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “The Citigo is literally a ‘Simply Clever’ car. Despite its small size, it offers ample interior space; it is agile while frugal. Put simply: it’s an attractive choice offering many clever ideas. The car offers all of ŠKODA's values in a compact package and fits perfectly with our aims.”

With the Citigo, ŠKODA is entering a new sector. “The demand for small cars with low fuel consumption, at a favourable price and with reasonable operating costs, is growing,” continues Prof. Vahland. “ŠKODA's new small vehicle is a reaction to this trend. We are entering new ground and the Citigo will attract prospects mainly in our European markets.”

The designers have given the car a distinct look that defines this as a new ŠKODA. The finned grille set in a chrome-plated frame and precisely shaped headlamps give the car a typical ŠKODA look. The Citigo will measure just 3.56 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 1.48 metres high.

The ŠKODA Citigo is an ideal car in and out of the city. It offers a surprisingly generous interior space, something not usually found in a city car but typical of all ŠKODA models. This has been created with the clear and transparent arrangement of all elements. The car's long wheel base – 2.42 metres – provides enough comfort for four passengers even on long trips. The boot volume is a sizeable 251 litres, which can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats.

The Citigo’s interior not only offers practical space but also a high level of quality and precision in its design. Front headrests integrated into the seats, as well as a number of other smart solutions, make the Citigo a ‘simply clever vehicle’. The interior design includes numerous storage compartments, cup holders and multimedia systems, as well as storage pockets on the sides of the front seats. In addition, a special bag hook integrated in to the glovebox handle, and a photograph holder on the central console, are two clever interior elements.

The vehicle boasts a number of solutions to help improve overall comfort. In the three-door version, the ‘Easy Entry’ system allows easy access to the rear seats. The front passenger's seat can be moved and folded forward to ensure easy access to the rear seats. For the first time in a ŠKODA vehicle, a portable navigation system is available. The device is fitted to the dashboard and can be removed easily and used on the go. Being an integral part of the vehicle's onboard electronics, the system provides not just navigation, but also hands-free calling with built-in Bluetooth and onboard infotainment. Using a 5-inch touch screen, the driver can view important information about the car (onboard computer, optical signals from the parking sensors, etc).

The Citigo places great emphasis on safety. For the first time in a ŠKODA vehicle, the designers have used a Head-Thorax side airbag to protect the heads of both the driver and the front seat passenger. Along with a number of other items, this system is part of a safety package usually found on much larger cars. In addition, active safety is enhanced by the ‘City Safe Drive’, a new brake assistance system based on a laser sensor that is activated automatically at speeds below 30 km/h when there is danger of a collision. Depending on the speed and the traffic situation, this automatic braking solution may completely prevent a collision or at least reduce its severity. The risk of bumping into the car ahead is thus reduced significantly in city traffic. The Citigo is one of only two cars in the city car segment to offer the emergency braking functionality.

Two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines will be available after the Citigo's launch (44kW/60PS and 55kW/75PS). The engines and the transmission have been designed to provide optimum economy in cities and their surroundings. Reaching the operating temperature even on short distances, the engines are highly economical. Two highly economical green engines will offer impressively low fuel consumption figures of 67.3mpg and 65.7mpg respectively; with emissions of just 97g and 99g CO2/km respectively. The fuel consumption and emission levels for the standard engines are also low – 62.8mpg and 105g CO2/km with the 60PS engine and 60.1mpg and 108g CO2/km with the 75PS unit.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Triple Triumph for ŠKODA Superb Estate

The ŠKODA Superb Estate has made it a hat-trick of wins in the annual awards from respected magazine Diesel Car.

It’s the third year in a row the popular load-lugger has scooped the top honour in the ‘Best Estate Car’ category. Claiming the title again is an amazing achievement for a car that first appeared in showrooms in 2010.

Not to be outdone, the ŠKODA Yeti also picked up an award. It was named runner-up in the ‘Best Crossover’ class.

Ian Robertson, Editor of Diesel Car, was full of praise for the ŠKODA Superb Estate. He commented: “For the past three years this car has been a winner. There’s simply nothing else that can compete for space, quality and sheer desirability. It’s ŠKODA value and quality in an estate car that is just the ideal all-round loadster. You just can’t argue with a boot that stretches from 633 litres to a whopping 1,865 litres.”

“For the Superb to be voted the ‘Best Estate Car’ for three years in a row shows what an exceptional product it remains. Thousands of new owners are finding that out for themselves every year and sales continue to grow year-on-year,” said Chris Horrell, Product Marketing Manager, ŠKODA UK.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA VOTED ‘BEST MANUFACTURER’

It’s four on the bounce for ŠKODA! The Czech brand has been voted ‘Best Manufacturer’ again in the influential Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

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

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