Christian Strube, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Technical Development, says: “We are very happy with the five-star Euro NCAP test score for the new OCTAVIA. We work hard to take our vehicles’ active and passive safety to ever higher levels and provide road users with maximum protection. In recent years, all our new models have been awarded maximum scores in this benchmark test for crash safety. Preceded by the SCALA and KAMIQ, the new OCTAVIA is the third ŠKODA model to have achieved this top rating in 2019. The new generation’s comprehensive safety equipment is once again complemented by numerous assistance systems that were generally reserved for higher vehicle classes until now.”

The maximum five-star score that the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA COMBI has achieved in the comprehensive European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) crash and safety tests also applies to the OCTAVIA saloon. The ŠKODA bestseller’s fourth generation performed particularly well in the field of Child Occupant Protection. Scoring 88 per cent of available points, the OCTAVIA achieved one of the best results ever, as did its assistance systems, scoring 79 per cent of the maximum points available. In the Adult Occupant Protection category, the OCTAVIA scored 92 per cent of all possible points.

Among the numerous assistance systems available in the new OCTAVIA, the Collision Avoidance Assist, Turn Assist and Exit Warning are included for the very first time in a ŠKODA. In the city,Front Assist including Predictive Pedestrian and Cyclist Protection uses visual and acoustic signals and gentle brake activation to warn of a potential collision, and automatically applies the brakes in an emergency. Side Assistindicates vehicles approaching from behind or in the driver’s blind spot up to a distance of 70 metres, effectively helping to prevent accidents on motorways and dual carriageways. And if, despite the numerous assistance systems, an impact is unavoidable, the proactive Crew Protect Assist system prepares the vehicle and occupants for the impending head-on/rear collision or roll-over. Up to nine airbags, among them a driver knee air bag and rear side airbags, protect occupants in the event of an impact. After a crash, the Multi-Collision Brake stops the vehicle, preventing it from rolling any further in an uncontrolled manner.

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) was founded in 1997, with its current members including transport ministries, automobile clubs, insurance associations and research institutes from eight European countries. The consortium is based in the Belgian city of Leuven. It conducts crash tests with current vehicle models and assesses their active and passive safety. Over the past few years, these tests have become ever more stringent and now comprise various different collision scenarios. While initially based solely on the results of the crash tests, final ratings today give a greater weighting to assessments of active safety systems and driver assistance systems.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

ŠKODA AUTO CEO Bernhard Maier explained: “The ŠKODA KAMIQ GT is our second coupé SUV and, at the same time, the second model exclusively offered to our Chinese customers. China has been ŠKODA’s largest individual market for the past nine years now, and also the market with the largest SUV share. So it’s only logical that China is the only country in which we now offer five different SUVs, thus covering a particularly wide range of customer requirements.

Ralf Hanschen, ŠKODA China President, proudly remarked that the new KAMIQ GT is a dynamic and fashionable SUV coupé for Chinese young customers. “ŠKODA is fully committed to the Chinese market and its customers. Our vision for China is crystal clear: to deliver clever solutions for a better life. We always bring the best to our Chinese customers, which is why we are offering more SUV models here than in any other market.” ”Furthermore, we are focusing not only on cars, but also new mobility services. The team of our global innovation hub in Beijing – ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab China – is developing mobility solutions and services for China and the world”, Hanschen added.

Emotional elegant design and a flowing roof line
The ŠKODA KAMIQ GT combines the powerful stylistic elements of the KAMIQ (the Chinese city-SUV) with the sporty elegance of a coupé. It is 1,606mm tall, and 4,409mm long – 19mm longer than the KAMIQ. The width (1,781mm) and wheelbase (2,610mm) remain unaltered. The coupé-like city-SUV therefore gives the impression of compactness, whilst at the same time offering a remarkably spacious interior.

From the front, the ŠKODA KAMIQ GT exudes coolness and determination. Sharply drawn lines and avant-garde design elements give it a modern, attractive look – perfectly adapted to the tastes of younger Chinese customers, and alluding to a more expressive style of life. The grille has striking vertical ribs, and extends laterally towards the crystalline LED headlamps with LED‑ daytime running lights, together irradiating power and dynamism. Large, horizontal air intakes beneath the grille, as well as L-shaped trim on the side, reinforce the appearance of self assurance. The flowing roof line falls slightly to the rear, gently ending at the rear spoiler. The sharply drawn “waistline” creates a three-dimensional effect, and harmonises visually with the striking facing of the wheel arches. Together with the black-painted, 17-inch alloy wheels, a sporty, dynamic look is achieved – perfectly for urban environments. Some of the highlights are the two-colour wheel hubs and a crystalline side logo, both with a three-dimensional effect.

Dynamic rear end, and reinterpreted C-shaped tail lights
The LED‑ tail lights on the KAMIQ GT, with their aesthetic crystalline structures, interpret the typical C-shape seen in the brand’s light signature in a completely new way, making an attractive eye-catcher. A distinctive bumper with a continuous light bar emphasises the expressive rear-end design. As seen in the front area, the L-shaped trim on the sides emphasise the powerful and yet modern body style. As an option, the new KAMIQ GT can be ordered with a roof in a contrasting colour, and with a panoramic glass roof. In addition, the SUV coupé is available in a new metallic colour – “modern gold”.

A sportily dynamic aura in the spacious interior
The modern design of the KAMIQ GT interior, thanks to the thoughtful selection of colours, materials and finishes on offer, provides a good mix of rugged SUV optics and an airy character marked by sporty dynamism. The instrument panel is equipped with a trim with a brushed-metal effect, which extends across the entire width of the vehicle. One exclusive detail stands out on the passenger side – a GT logo which corresponds to the colour of the car, providing and attractive focal point. The driver and front passenger have sports seats with integrated head restraints, offering excellent support. The headrests with their embroidered GT logo, the horizontal stripe pattern and the exclusive decorative seams all accentuate the dynamic optics of the interior. In tune with this, the vehicle has a max-grip, multi-function steering wheel, enabling the rapid and safe operation of important features.

Two trims available; state-of-the-art connectivity and infotainment as standard
The ŠKODA KAMIQ GT is available in two trims – Ambition and Style. This gives the customers practical comfort options, such as Climatronic automatic climate control, and KESSY keyless vehicle access. In addition, there are advanced connectivity solutions available, and a modern infotainment system, with an 8-inch glass display, thus meeting the typical demands of a young, urban, Chinese target group. With Apple CarPlay, Baidu CarLife and MirrorLink™, smartphones can be easily connected to the vehicle, whilst the driver and passengers can be permanently online in the KAMIQ GT via a WLAN stick. A reversing camera comes as standard support for the parking sensors, whilst head and side airbags protect passengers in the event of an accident. The KAMIQ GT meets the highest safety standards overall.

Two efficient engine versions
There are two modern and efficient petrol engines available with the ŠKODA KAMIQ GT. The 1.5 MPI, developed at the ŠKODA AUTO Engine Centre in the heart of Czech Republic, puts out 82 kW (111 HP), along with a maximum torque of 145 Nm. It has a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The 1.5 MPI has a heat-resistant aluminium engine block, whose low weight reduces fuel consumption and improves handling. The variable valve control system adjusts the opening and closing of the inlet valve, depending on the given driving conditions. This increases the efficiency of the combustion process. A 1.2.TSI is also available in the KAMIQ GT. This engine generates 85 kW (115 HP) thanks to its turbo charger, and provides a maximum torque of 200 Nm via a 7-speed DSG to the front axle.

From KODIAQ to KAMIQ: five SUV models in China
In addition to the new KAMIQ GT, the ŠKODA SUV family comprises another 4 models. The spacious KODIAQ, seating up to seven people, started the brand’s SUV offensive in 2017, and is accompanied by the elegant coupé version, the KODIAQ GT – a model exclusive to China. Both are equipped with engines capable of up to 162 kW (220 HP). The KAROQ is 50 millimetres longer than the European version, thus offering Chinese customers more space and comfort. There is a choice of the 1.2 TSI with 85 kW (115 HP), and the 1.4 TSI with 110 kW (150 HP). The KAMIQ, a “city SUV”, was developed specifically for the Chinese market, and entered ŠKODA’s range of SUVs in 2018. At 4,390mm, it is around 15 centimetres longer than the European model introduced in summer 2019. It also outdoes the European version in terms of the boot volume, at 463 to 1,510 litres. The KAMIQ is powered in China by a 1.5 MPI offering 82 kW (111 HP).

A quarter of all ŠKODAs sold worldwide are currently supplied to China
China has been the Czech automobile manufacturer’s largest single market for the past nine years. In the record-breaking year of 2018, the sales figures rose by 4.9%, to 341,000 vehicles, a third of which were SUV models. Overall, a quarter of all ŠKODAs sold are currently supplied to China. With an eye on the future, ŠKODA and SAIC Volkswagen will have made investments amounting to the equivalent of two billion euros by 2021, as well as the new ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab China in Beijing. The company’s development focus is on attractive, new models, particularly in the SUV range. Indeed, the KODIAQ GT and the KAMIQ GT are two SUV models exclusively available in the Chinese market. ŠKODA is also planning vehicles with alternative drive systems, and is furthermore working on cunning solutions to facilitate and improve mobility. The new vehicles and services to the customers will offer customers inspirational design, superior functionality and a nontraditional mobility experience.

New ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab China cooperates with startup companies
The ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab China open in Beijing in April 2019. In the new innovation centre, ŠKODA has networked local startup companies, in order to jointly promote projects. The focus of the network is on the areas of future mobility and digitisation, and the development and implementation of new business fields. In this respect, the new mobility solutions and services are being developed not only for the Chinese market, but are also being tailored for European and international needs. There are already some pilot projects under way, e.g. “Care Driver” and “Way to Go”.

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Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Production and Logistics, stressed, “The start of production of the new OCTAVIA at our main plant in Mladá Boleslav marks the beginning of a new chapter in the impressive success story of our brand’s icon. We have invested into renovating our production lines, enabling us to manufacture the best OCTAVIA ever in time for its 60th anniversary.”

The new OCTAVIA rolls off the assembly line in production hall M13 at ŠKODA’s headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. ŠKODA built the first modern-day OCTAVIA there more than 20 years ago. For the production of the new OCTAVIA, the company has prepared its facilities to incorporate innovative processes and technologies; robots are also used for numerous complex and physically demanding production steps. What’s more, innovative technologies meant that the ŠKODA employees’ workstations could be designed particularly ergonomically. Each day, 1,150 fourth-generation OCTAVIAs leave the plant – which is one of the most state-of-the-art and eco-friendliest of its kind in Europe – to be delivered to customers all around the world.

More spacious, better connected and more emotive: the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA
The new ŠKODA OCTAVIA celebrated its world premiere at the National Gallery in Prague’s Trade Fair Palace on 11 November. Just like its predecessor, the model’s latest generation also boasts a modern design and advanced technology, combined with exemplary efficiency, groundbreaking practicality and superior quality. In addition to an even more generous amount of space, an array of equipment usually reserved for higher-tier vehicles, innovative connectivity features and improved assistance systems ensure even greater comfort and safety. The new OCTAVIA is, for example, the first-ever ŠKODA to offer a head-up display that projects the most important information onto the windscreen in clear view of the driver.

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“I am delighted to accept the Golden Steering Wheel for the ŠKODA KAMIQ on behalf of the entire ŠKODA team. The KAMIQ combines the best ŠKODA qualities such as outstanding space and excellent price-performance ratio with an expressive, characterful design. Our first city SUV marks our entry into a very interesting segment where we are winning over attractive new customer groups,” explained Christian Strube, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Technical Development.

Fifty-eight models, which had been launched in the past twelve months and grouped into eleven categories, were pitted against each other in the Golden Steering Wheel 2019 awards. The test editors of Auto Bild were responsible for deciding the winner of the ‘Best car under 25,000 euros’ category. They took numerous qualities into account, such as handling, base price, standard equipment, warranties and surcharge policy and chose the ŠKODA KAMIQ as the best offer in its class. The jury praised several aspects specifically, including the spacious interior with compact dimensions, high quality and excellent price-performance ratio.

Third member of ŠKODA’s SUV family
The ŠKODA KAMIQ has complemented the Czech brand’s successful SUV range in the European market since mid-2019. Following the KODIAQ and KAROQ, ŠKODA has now entered the fast-growing segment of city SUVs. The KAMIQ combines the benefits of an SUV such as greater ground clearance and raised seating position with the agility of a compact vehicle and an emotive design typical of the brand. With state-of-the-art assistance and infotainment systems, a generous amount of space and numerous Simply Clever features, the ŠKODA KAMIQ meets the demands of families and lifestyle-oriented customers alike.

KAMIQ receives ŠKODA’s sixth Golden Steering Wheel award
The Bild am Sonntag has been presenting the Golden Steering Wheel since 1976 and in partnership with Auto Bild – the largest automotive magazine in Europe – since 2009. The KAMIQ has won the sixth Golden Steering Wheel for ŠKODA, and this is the second triumph in a row. The brand’s victories began in 1999 with the first-generation FABIA; in 2007, its successor repeated this success. The second-generation OCTAVIA won in 2004; the second generation of the SUPERB launched in 2008 also won a Golden Steering Wheel. The KAROQ received the award in 2017, and the awards did not run in 2018.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com