A repeat success: this year, both the Škoda Fabia and Octavia have secured the title of best import car within their respective classes in the renowned Best Cars Readers’ Choice Awards. In the 48th iteration of the competition, organised by the German automotive magazine ‘auto motor und sport’, 92,798 participants cast their votes, with a record number of 455 models competing in 13 categories. The Octavia extended its impressive winning streak, claiming the title of best import compact vehicle for the eleventh time in a row, marking its twelfth Best Cars award in total. The Fabia was crowned winner among imported small cars for the third time, following victories in 2008 and 2023.

Škoda Octavia maintains its decade-long lead – outshining 28 rivals
At this year’s auto motor und sport Readers’ Choice Awards, 15.5% of the votes went to the Škoda Octavia in the Compact class import category. The acclaimed Czech model prevailed against 28 competitors to secure its eleventh Best Car title in a row. Throughout the history of the Readers’ Choice Awards, the Octavia has been honoured with twelve awards. The upgraded version of the brand’s bestseller celebrated its world premiere today. The event was broadcast from a Virtual Studio and can be watched on newskodaoctavia.com, the Škoda Storyboard, and Škoda’s official YouTube channel.

All good things come in threes for the Škoda Fabia
The fourth-generation Škoda Fabia also successfully defended its title from last year as the best import vehicle in its class, garnering 16% of the votes and securing the top position ahead of 19 competitors. Following 2008 and 2023, this marks the third Best Cars Award for the Fabia.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

At the Rétromobile exhibition in Paris, Škoda is celebrating the 90^th anniversary of the Superb’s production launch. Along with the Superb, the carmaker’s display at Porte de Versailles includes the sporty Škoda 1100 OHC Coupé, the prestigious 1928 Škoda Hispano-Suiza, the innovative Voltavia project combining elements from 1969 and 2023, and the Škoda Vision 7S concept: This study of a large electric family SUV, presented in 2022, previews the Modern Solid design direction for Škoda’s future vehicles.

In collaboration with its importer Škoda France, the Mladá Boleslav-based carmaker has put together an exclusive collection for Rétromobile. The Porte de Versailles exhibition will introduce eight cars to enthusiasts and the general public, representing Škoda’s past, present, and future.

“In selecting the cars we are presenting this year in Paris, we focused on celebrating the Superb’s 90^th production anniversary.”

Andrea Frydlová, head of the Škoda Museum

Škoda Superb: A decades-long legacy of excellence
Even before the Superb’s story began in 1934, Škoda had already manufactured prestigious cars from 1926 to 1930 through the licensed production of the Hispano-Suiza limousine. A 1928 model of this originally Spanish-Swiss brand, well-known in France, will also be on display at the Paris exhibition. The Superb range at the Škoda stand is represented by three six-cylinder historic models from 1936, 1938, and 1948 in various configurations. In addition, the latest modern generation of the Superb is among the exhibited vehicles: With production now underway, it continues the series’ tradition, equipped with state-of-the-art features and technology.

A racing special reborn and a glimpse into the future
From the very beginning, Škoda has been closely associated with racing and motorsport. Testifying to the brand’s success in motorsports, the Škoda 1100 OHC Coupé is making its debut on French soil. Only two closed versions of this striking racing special were built in 1959/1960. The fully operational racing car was reconstructed using the preserved frame, chassis, engine, and body construction based on original documentation, employing both traditional methods and cutting-edge technologies.

The exhibited Vision 7S concept study offers a peek into the future of individual mobility as envisioned by Škoda Auto: This large seven-seater family car is a symbol of purely electric propulsion and heralds Škoda’s powerful new design language, Modern Solid.

Voltavia: Electrified 1969 Škoda Octavia Combi
The Rétromobile exhibition is also introducing the public to the Voltavia project for the first time. This unique transformation of a 1969 Škoda Octavia Combi into a fully electric vehicle was realised by Automobile Propre – the first French website dedicated to electric vehicles. As part of the Retrofit Challenge organised by Škoda France, two editorial teams were tasked with converting 1960s Octavia cars into all-electric vehicles.

“There were plenty of options for converting this 1969 Škoda Octavia Combi to electric. Our team chose to focus on efficiency and comprehensiveness, while aiming to preserve key characteristics of the brand, such as utility and luggage space. We also ensured that the conversion was completely reversible.”

Editor-in-chief Pierre Desjardins 

The Voltavia is powered by a 75 kW electric motor with 220 Nm of torque, drawing energy from a 27.2 kWh battery, which comprises battery modules from the Enyaq.

The Rétromobile exhibition opens its doors at the Porte de Versailles centre in Paris on Wednesday, 31 January and runs until 4 February.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Škoda Auto has published exterior sketches of the refreshed Octavia. The fourth modern generation continues the legacy of the brand’s iconic model, which has achieved over seven million sales since its launch in 1996. This latest iteration introduces a refined exterior with new headlights, redesigned bumpers, and an updated Škoda grille. The digital global premiere is set for 14 February.

Škoda Auto has started producing the updated Scala compact car and the Kamiq city SUV at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav. The latest enhancements to these product lines include new equipment features and assistant systems, usually exclusive to higher vehicle classes. Additionally, the carmaker has substantially increased the use of sustainable materials in both models.

“The Scala was the first Škoda car to be rolled out in our current design language. We have now taken both models to the next level and set new standards in the compact class – especially when it comes to assistance systems. I want to thank everyone involved for their exceptional collaboration. I am confident that both upgraded models will be well received by our customers.”

Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics

The compact models’ success stories continue
Since the introduction of both models in 2019, over 260,000 units of the Scala have rolled off the production line, with more than 56,000 produced in 2023 alone. The Kamiq city SUV saw over 107,000 units produced in 2023, making it the brand’s best-selling SUV with more than 576,000 units built since its launch.

The first generations of the Škoda Scala and Kamiq garnered significant acclaim. The Scala clinched a Red Dot Design Award in 2019 and was named Family Car of the Year 2020 in the UK and Fleet Car of the Year 2021 in the Czech Republic. Similarly, the Kamiq earned accolades such as Car of the Year 2019 in Finland, Fleet Car of the Year 2021 in the Czech Republic and Best Import SUV below €30k in Germany in both 2022 and 2023. These prestigious awards underscore the models’ appeal and quality in their respective segments.

New design, interior and assistance systems
The latest updates to the Škoda Scala and Kamiq represent a significant step forward in terms of design and equipment: Matrix-LED headlights are now available for both models, while the front and rear bumpers, rims and radiator grilles have been revamped. These changes enhance the distinctiveness of both cars, with the Scala offering a sportier look and the Kamiq becoming a more rugged SUV. Reflecting the brand’s new design language, the fifth door of both models proudly displays the new Škoda logotype. Additionally, more sustainable materials have been incorporated into various parts of the vehicles, such as upholstery and floor mats, reinforcing Škoda’s commitment to further reducing its environmental impact.

Safety features and modernisation
The Škoda Scala and Kamiq maintain a high level of active and passive safety thanks to their robust body structures and advanced assist systems. The range of assistance features, typically only found in higher vehicle classes, has been expanded to include Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitor and Lane Assist.

As part of the upgrade, the Czech automaker also revamped the feature structure for both models, one highlight being the new Phone Box with wireless charging and cooling plus fast-charging USB ports. Customers now have a choice of six interior variants across three equipment lines: Selection, Top Selection, and Monte Carlo.

Both models are sold in more than 60 markets worldwide. The new Scala and Kamiq will be available at Škoda partners in the Czech Republic starting in February 2024.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com