Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Production and Logistics, stressed, “This milestone is proof of how popular the ŠKODA KAROQ is. The fact that it has just taken a little over two years after start of production to exceed the mark of 250,000 cars manufactured is a huge success and underlines the importance of the KAROQ in our attractive model range.”

ŠKODA has been building the KAROQ at its plant in Kvasiny since mid-July 2017 and also in Mladá Boleslav since January 2018. In 2018, the Czech car manufacturer delivered 115,700 KAROQs to its customers; this year it has been 97,900 vehicles so far. This makes the model one of the currently most popular ŠKODAs.

ŠKODA’s SUV campaign started in 2016 with the KODIAQ, the carmaker’s first large sport utility vehicle. It has been manufactured in Kvasiny since October 2016 and was launched onto the markets in the spring of 2017. Having the KODIAQ, KAROQ and the new KAMIQ city SUV in its line-up, the Czech brand offers its customers three attractive models in this vehicle segment. All of them bear ‘ŠKODA’ in block lettering on the tailgate instead of the logo.

For the 2020 model year, ŠKODA has provided the KAROQ with visual and technological enhancements: the successful compact SUV now comes with a comprehensive range of equipment for even more safety and comfort. Side Assist is available for example, warning the driver of vehicles in the blind spot up to 70 m away. The KAROQ’s connectivity is also state-of-the-art, offering a plethora of different online services in addition to the innovative ŠKODA Connect features. What’s more, the ŠKODA KAROQ sets benchmarks in terms of its chassis too, allowing for trips on rougher terrain at all times, and adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) being available for both the front- as well as all-wheel-drive variants.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The all-electric concept study ŠKODA VISION iV, which gives an outlook on ŠKODA’s electric future, celebrated its premiere in spring at the Geneva Motor Show. The car manufacturer’s first vehicle to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electric-car platform (MEB), is the Czech brand’s next step towards electromobility. The four-door crossover coupé features sporty, emotional lines and a generous sense of space. The model’s four-wheel drive and two electric motors with 225 kW (306 hp) system performance ensure a dynamic driving experience.

The BEST OF Mobility readers’ poll was conducted by HUSS-VERLAG in cooperation with the international consulting firm Deloitte and the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). For each of a total of 18 categories, including, for example, Energy Concept, Mobile Services and Public Transport, the editors of VISION mobility nominated five products or services. Readers had the opportunity to choose their favourites between 1 April and 31 July. In the Concept Car category, they selected the concept car ŠKODA VISION iV as the winner.

ŠKODA enters electromobility sector in 2019
One hundred twenty-four years after the company was founded, the Czech car manufacturer is launching the SUPERB iV with plug-in hybrid drive and the CITIGOe iV, an all-electric vehicle. The first series-production vehicles will follow based on the MEB in 2020. Over the next four years, ŠKODA will be investing around two billion euros in alternative drive systems and new mobility services and will have introduced more than ten electrified models by the end of 2022.

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Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Production and Logistics, said, “The beginning of serial production of the ŠKODA SUPERB iV is a major step towards the future. Over the past few months, we have rigorously made the provisions required to begin manufacturing our first plug-in hybrid at the Kvasiny plant. Today is therefore also the result of a great team effort.”

ŠKODA AUTO invested approximately 12 million euros in preparing the Kvasiny site for the specific requirements of manufacturing the first electrified ŠKODA production model. Body production and the assembly hall, for example, have been modified (see infographic). Thanks to the renovation work, the SUPERB iV plug-in hybrid can be built on the same production line as models featuring a conventional combustion engine. As the two drive variants have different floorpans, some of the equipment in the body shop had to be adapted or installed.
 
The hall used for quality control was completely remodelled: workplaces needed to be rearranged for the manufacturing and commissioning of vehicles as part of the production process. Within the production line, ŠKODA AUTO also installed an additional container for chassis frames as well as a manipulator for high-voltage and 12-volt batteries.
 
Furthermore, ŠKODA AUTO has pressed ahead with staff development relating to electromobility. To this end, the car manufacturer built a new training centre in Kvasiny; since then, almost 5,500 members of staff have completed their training there.
 
The dawning of a new era: the SUPERB iV plug-in hybrid
In the SUPERB iV, a 1.4 TSI petrol engine and an electric motor deliver a combined power output of 160 kW (218 PS). The all-electric range is up to 56 km in the WLTP cycle; up to 930 km can be covered when combined with the petrol engine. This new drive variant is available for the Ambition and Style trim levels as well as for the SUPERB SPORTLINE and SUPERB L&K. The ŠKODA SUPERB iV and the new iV E-Mobility sub-brand celebrated their world premiere in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, in May 2019. The market launch is set for the beginning of 2020.
 
The modernised ŠKODA SUPERB has been built at the ŠKODA AUTO Kvasiny site since July 2019. In addition to the brand’s flagship, the KAROQ and KODIAQ SUVs are also manufactured there. In 2018, more than 300,000 cars left the Kvasiny plant in one year for the first time. The carmaker employs around 9,000 members of staff at the state-of-the-art production facility.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Oliver Stefani, Head of ŠKODA Design, says: “The new ŠKODA KAMIQ is a typical ŠKODA SUV that develops its own distinctive personality through design elements like the split headlights. The black MONTE CARLO features emphasise this independent character and make it an even more attractive proposition for a younger target group. What you have here is a perfect combination of a sporty design referencing our successful rally vehicles and the everyday usability of a smart city SUV.”
 
The new ŠKODA KAMIQ is the second SUV in the brand’s history to come with a sporty MONTE CARLO version, having been preceded by the ŠKODA YETI. The MONTE CARLO name is used to identify the sporty lifestyle versions of ŠKODA’s compact models. It evokes the splendour and glamour of the Principality of Monaco as well as the storied motor racing history of the Monte Carlo Rally, an event that dates back to 1911 and has seen many ŠKODA successes over the years. The manufacturer’s first model to bear the MONTE CARLO name was a 1936 limited edition of the ŠKODA POPULAR. The FABIA MONTE CARLO will now be joined by the KAMIQ and SCALA MONTE CARLO versions, expanding the range of popular lifestyle trim levels for ŠKODA’s compact models. What all three models have in common are sporty, black MONTE CARLO features and upgraded equipment.
 
Black MONTE CARLO features communicate sportiness
In addition to the characteristic split full-LED headlights, the ŠKODA KAMIQ MONTE CARLO comes with a glossy black frame surrounding the ŠKODA grille, for a dynamic and distinctive appearance. The black detailing also extends to parts of the front bumper, the wing mirror caps, roof rails, side sills and the centrally positioned ŠKODA lettering on the tailgate. The ŠKODA KAMIQ MONTE CARLO is available with the full range of KAMIQ engines and features black 17-inch alloy wheels with a MONTE CARLO design as standard; 18-inch alloys are available as an option. The trim level includes SunSet tinted side windows and a panoramic roof. A black rear diffuser, black model designations and full-LED tail lights round off the sporty appearance of the new KAMIQ range-topper, which can also be identified by a special badge.
 
Dynamic interior accents
The interior of the ŠKODA KAMIQ MONTE CARLO welcomes the driver and front passenger with height-adjustable sports seats featuring a specific MONTE CARLO design and integrated headrests. The multifunction sports steering wheel is covered in perforated leather bearing the same red decorative seams as the leather finish for the gear selector and handbrake lever. The LED ambient lighting also comes in red and illuminates the centre console, door storage compartments, door handles and footwells. The KAMIQ MONTE CARLO also includes LED reading lights. The decorative trims and instrument panel have their own standalone design, with the air vents in the dashboard sporting a chrome look and the pedal trim featuring an aluminium design. Special floor mats, KAMIQ lettering on the door sills and a black roof lining complete the interior.
 
Industry insiders and the general public alike will be able to experience the new ŠKODA KAMIQ MONTE CARLO for the first time from 10 to 22 September at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, Stand A11 in Hall 3.0. Market launch will start in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com