Skoda Garage London Blog - Independent Skoda Garage London - London's best independent Skoda Garage London

Thousands of viewers witnessed debut of ŠKODA KAROQ at the start of Tour de France in Düsseldorf. New compact SUV starts as service vehicle at the world’s most famous cycling race.

Tens of thousands watched the Grand Départ of the Tour de France on Saturday. The ŠKODA KODIAQ as a service car accompanied three cycling teams: ‘Team Dimension Data’ from South Africa, ‘Team Lotto NL – Jumbo’ from the Netherlands and ‘Lotto Soudal’ from Belgium in the 14-kilometre time trial and for the first time made its public appearance.

The first stage of this year´s Tour - the time trial - took the cyclists from Düsseldorf Messe along the Rhine to the famous Königsallee and back to the Messe. It was a premiere for Düsseldorf – after 30 years the Tour de France started again in Germany – and for the ŠKODA KAROQ, as it is making its first public appearance ahead of the market launch at the end of this year.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

The Tour de France is ready for the start. On Saturday, the ŠKODA KAROQ will line up at the start as a service vehicle for three teams.

The new compact SUV is supporting three teams during the 14-kilometre time trial in Düsseldorf. The vehicles have a few added extras on board such as radio equipment. Wraps on the exterior give the KAROQ models an individual design.

After an absence of 30 years, the Grand Départ of the Tour de France is once again taking place in Germany. The time trial of the first stage leads from the fair-ground in Düsseldorf exhibition centre, along the Rhine to the famous Königsallee boulevard and back along the Rhine to the exhibition centre. A premiere for both Düsseldorf and the ŠKODA KAROQ, because ŠKODA’s new compact SUV will be presenting itself to the public there for the first time ahead of its market launch at the end of the year. Three ŠKODA KAROQs are accompanying teams from South Africa (Team Dimension Data), the Netherlands (Team Lotto NL - Jumbo), and Belgium (Lotto Soudal) as service vehicles during the 14-kilometre time trial. They will not only act as a spare parts depot on wheels for the racing cyclists, but also have the team escorts on board who will be in communication with their cyclists via radio.

The ŠKODA KAROQ SUV’s are all designed in the teams’ colours: Team Dimension Data will be supported by a black, white and green ŠKODA KAROQ, Team Lotto NL - Jumbo’s compact SUV has a yellow and black design, and the Lotto Soudal team will be supported by a red and white KAROQ. The roofs of all of the compact SUV’s bear the slogan ‘RIDE ON WITH #KAROQ’.

The ŠKODA KAROQ is exceptionally well-suited to use in the third-largest sporting event in the world. The all-rounder is equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG transmission and, thanks to the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), a choice of three driving modes as well as electromechanical power steering, is as dynamic on the road as the athletes. Five engines with power outputs ranging from 85 kW (115 PS) to 140 kW (190 PS) are available for the new compact SUV.

The generous interior dimensions provide plenty of space for both equipment and the tour escorts. Thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, the connectivity offering also leaves nothing to be desired: the passengers have the option of being ‘always online’. The KAROQ is also the first ŠKODA to offer a digital instrument cluster, allowing the displays on the dashboard to be individually programmed and presented. Another special feature is the Virtual Pedal. This ‘Simply Clever’ solution allows the tailgate to be opened with a simple foot movement under the rear bumper.

ŠKODA has been the official partner of the world’s largest cycling race for an impressive 14 years. The more than 250 ŠKODA organisation, escort and service vehicles cover a total of around 2.8 million kilometres during the 23-day tour.

The close relationship between the long-established Czech brand and cycling has historical roots. Before vehicle production began in 1905, company founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement had already been manufacturing bicycles. Today, cycling is a pillar of ŠKODA’s sponsorship strategy. As well as the Tour de France and the Spanish cycling tour ‘La Vuelta a España’, the Czech car manufacturer supports other international and national cycling races, as well as numerous popular sporting events.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

ŠKODA has produced the 500,000th third-generation FABIA in Mladá Boleslav today. At the same time, the manufacturer is celebrating another milestone: the four millionth ŠKODA FABIA since the series debuted in 1999.

The jubilee vehicle is a ŠKODA FABIA COMBI with a 1.0 TSI petrol engine and an automatic DSG transmission in the colour moon-white. With 91,400 deliveries in the first five months of 2017, the popular small car is currently ranked second on the ŠKODA bestseller list behind the OCTAVIA.

"Today, we can be doubly proud. 500,000 third-generation FABIAs built and four million FABIAs produced in total are powerful testimonies of ŠKODA’s high production quality," says Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA Board Member for Production and Logistics. “Since 1999, the small car has been one of the key players in our model portfolio and has won over customers around the world.Each of the three generations has characterised the development of the brand, featuring the latest technologies and exceptional space for outstanding value for money, complemented with attractive designs and superior technologies for safety and comfort. Now more than ever, the FABIA is a crucial driver of our dynamic growth."

Where it all began: the first ŠKODA FABIA – 1999 to 2007
Shortly before the turn of the millennium, the first ŠKODA FABIA celebrated its premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1999. It was based on Volkswagen's A0 platform and, at that time, set standards in handling, safety and engine technology. As a typical ŠKODA, the FABIA scored with lots of space. At the Paris Motor Show in autumn 2000, the brand introduced the first ŠKODA FABIA COMBI. The ŠKODA FABIA RS made its debut in March 2003. Around 1,790,000 ŠKODA FABIAs of the first generation ran off the production line.

The second-generation ŠKODA FABIA - 2007 to 2014
The ŠKODA FABIA II entered the spotlight at the Geneva Motor Show. The second generation offered even more space with compact dimensions. ŠKODA expanded the engine range to include more efficient powertrains, and equipped the small car with new comfort and safety features. ŠKODA first presented the FABIA COMBI in September 2007 at the IAA in Frankfurt. It set new standards in technology and functionality, and the amount of room also increased. The boot volume grew by 235 litres compared to its predecessor.

Rugged exterior with distinctive design elements – this is how ŠKODA presented the FABIA SCOUT, which was also available as an estate, in 2009. With the first ŠKODA FABIA MONTE CARLO, motorsport DNA entered the popular small car. This model completed the model range in 2011, featuring a black roof, black alloy wheels, tinted rear and side windows and other expressive design elements. The production of the second-generation FABIA ended in June 2014 after approximately 1,710,000 cars.

All good things come in threes: ŠKODA FABIA III - 2014 to today
In 2014 the Czech manufacturer wrote another successful chapter in the history of this series with the third generation of the ŠKODA FABIA. To date, exactly 500,000 vehicles have left the production line. The FABIA III presents a sharp, dynamic and emotive design language. The sporty proportions skilfully allude to ŠKODA’s successful rally cars. With its excellent space offer for this vehicle class, and innovative safety, comfort and infotainment systems, the third ŠKODA FABIA sets the benchmark in the small car segment. As a typical ŠKODA, the onboard equipment features many ‘Simply Clever’ details: the umbrella under the passenger seat, the ice scraper in the fuel cap, the multimedia bracket in the centre console, nets on the backs of the front seats, as well as hi-viz vests and bottle holders.

In early 2017, ŠKODA returned to the Geneva Motor Show. The ŠKODA FABIA received a 1.0-TSI three-cylinder for the first time, providing more power with lower fuel consumption. The 70 kW (95 hp) and 81 kW (110 hp) powertrains now available replaced the 1.2-litre four-cylinder used previously. The revised small car is the first FABIA to feature the mobile online service ŠKODA Connect. With the advanced connectivity offer, FABIA drivers have the option of always being online. ŠKODA Connect includes the Care Connect services with assistance- and emergency-call functions. In addition, there are the online infotainment services, which include information on traffic, petrol stations, fuel prices and car parks.

At the same time, the new ŠKODA FABIA offers state-of-the-art safety systems, which have so far only been seen in higher vehicle segments. The model features front-wheel assist with integrated city emergency braking function, adaptive cruise control (ACC), multi-collision brake assist and fatigue detection. In addition, electronic tyre pressure monitoring comes as standard with all FABIA models.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Beach buggy with 60 kW (82 PS) in black (Black Magic) with multi-effect and pearlescent yellow (Dragon Skin). The ŠKODA CITIGO provided the platform.

Following on from the ŠKODA CITIJET, ŠKODA FUNSTAR and the ŠKODA ATERO, now comes the ŠKODA ELEMENT – students from the ŠKODA Vocational School have built a student car for the fourth time. The ŠKODA ELEMENT, an electrically powered buggy based on the ŠKODA CITIGO, stands as yet another testament to the skills of the young people at the ŠKODA Academy. The new student car is a roadworthy beach buggy featuring a solar panel, Smart TV, cool box and mobile disco.

The ŠKODA ELEMENT is 3,597 mm long and 1,641 mm wide. With no roof or doors and just two seats, the student car not only has 60 mm more ground clearance, above all it is also visually a totally discrete model – a classic, open buggy.

The silver-coloured underbody protection at the front and rear as well as the black/yellow 16-inch SCORPIUS alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres are particularly striking. The high wheel arches are framed by a black trim which continues along the bottom edge of the sills between the wheels, creating a narrow running board. There are no doors; you just climb over the side sills decorated with aluminium checker-plate strips and slide into the sports bucket seats. The rear lights feature LED technology. The ŠKODA students also considered the smaller details, with the car’s yellow (Dragon Skin) brake callipers, demonstrating their attention to detail.

The black leather/Alcantara bucket seats with yellow edging and decorative stitching originate from the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS. They are adorned with the embroidered name of the ŠKODA Academy. The two-tone theme also continues in the individually designed interior. The painted front of the instrument panel shines in pearlescent yellow, the steering wheel and gearstick are covered in black leather and bear golden-yellow details. The surface between the instrument panel and the windscreen is lined with black Alcantara.

There is also a Navigon navigation system on board, which – fitted in a separate bracket – seems to float above the air conditioning controls. The car’s most striking feature, however, can be found where the ŠKODA CITIGO has its back seats. The students fitted a solar panel as well as a Smart TV behind the front seats which can be paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth. The Smart TV is located in the aluminium-decorated boot lid to which the solar panel has been mounted, sitting between two rustic, matt-black brackets. One speaker next to each seat and two additional speakers fitted in the boot turn the ŠKODA ELEMENT into a 400-watt beach club on wheels. The students have also integrated a cool box into the boot that is classily lined with blue carpet. The cool box is connected to an additional battery and powered by the solar panel.

A compact 60-kW (82 PS) electric motor with a torque of 210 Nm powers the ŠKODA ELEMENT. The electric design study accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 13 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 km/h. The lithium-ion battery integrated in the car floor has a capacity of 18.7 kWh. This means that – depending on the route profile, driving style and payload – the ŠKODA ELEMENT has a range of up to 160 km.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

ŠKODA launches specially configured Kodiaq SE Technology for business customers. Combining sleek design, ample interior space and simply clever innovations ensures the latest addition to the Kodiaq range is an ideal companion for business users.

A highly competitive vehicle, the Kodiaq SE Technology 2.0-litre TDI 150PS DSG offers the perfect rational and emotive balance for corporate fleets, small businesses and company car drivers. Emitting 131 g/km of CO2, the Kodiaq has a P11d value of just £26,860 and BIK of 28%. In addition, the Kodiaq boasts low VED rates, SMR costs and greater fuel efficiency than its leading competitors keeping Whole Life Costs low for the duration of ownership.

SE Technology includes a host of innovative tech as standard to support business on the move. ŠKODA Connect turns the Kodiaq into a fully connected vehicle with Infotainment Online providing satellite navigation, traffic reports and calendar updates. Drivers can instantly sync contacts from their phone to the car, which can be accessed via steering wheel controls or voice activation for a safer way to make calls on the road.

As an option for fleets regularly undergoing long distances, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) can be added to assist the driver in maintaining the selected speed and desired gap between the ŠKODA Kodiaq and the car in front.

The versatile Kodiaq is available in both five and seven seat variants, and boasts one of the largest load spaces in its class - perfect whether transporting goods or passengers. Kodiaq features 720/630/270 litres of boot space with the rear seats up and 2,065/2,005 litres with the seats down in the five and seven seat models, respectively. The SE Technology model also comes with front and rear parking sensors as standard. Further equipment such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, can detect dangerous situations involving pedestrians or other vehicles in front of the car, and can automatically apply the brakes

Henry Williams, ŠKODA Head of Fleet, comments: “We’re already seeing excellent growth in fleet channels, and the Kodiaq is an important addition to our fleet model range for 2017. The overwhelming interest we have had in Kodiaq proves the car’s mix of smart tech, safety kit and sleek design is appealing and combined with competitive Whole Life Costs, makes it the perfect fit for business.”

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

More Articles...

Skoda Blog