The ŠKODA KODIAQ has been getting familiar with the Tour de France’s home straight in Paris. In the concluding stage of the race around France the new SUV by ŠKODA took over the lead of the pack. Behind the steering wheel was former Tour winner Stephen Roche.

Mladá Boleslav/Paris, 25 July 2016: The night before the KODIAQ’s high-profile appearance, ŠKODA was getting familiar with the local conditions, as on the last day of this year’s Tour the new ŠKODA KODIAQ was set to lead the racer field. With a start in Chantilly and finish in Paris, the stage stretches over 113 kilometres.

For its Tour premiere the new SUV by ŠKODA got a brand new camouflage cover in red, grey and black. The special camouflage foil with facets made of crystal-like elements matches the look of the Red Car, the ŠKODA Superb in Corrida Red. The Red Car serves as a mobile control centre of the Tour de France and is used by the race Director Christian Prudhomme.

Behind the steering wheel during the first public appearance of ŠKODA KODIAQ was former cycling professional Stephen Roche. The Irish rider triumphed in the 1987 Tour de France and currently represents the Czech manufacturer as a brand ambassador.

ŠKODA is supporting the Tour de France for the thirteenth consecutive time as the official partner. The brand is also the sponsor of the Green Jersey worn by the leader of the points classification for the second time. Simultaneously, ŠKODA acts as the official vehicle partner of the race, providing a total of 250 cars as organisational and support vehicles as well as more than 50 team cars.

The ŠKODA KODIAQ is set to make its next appearance in Paris in late September as a guest of the motor show, this time without a camouflage cover. Going on sale in early 2017, the SUV marks the beginning of ŠKODA’s world-wide SUV offensive and will be promoted under the caption ‘Discover new grounds’.

The ŠKODA KODIAQ represents all the strengths of the Czech brand, featuring a distinct design full of character, exceptionally spacious interior, high level of functionality and numerous Simply Clever solutions. At 4.7 metres in length the SUV offers the largest boot space in its class and a customisable third row of seats. Other highlights of the new ŠKODA KODIAQ include extensive connectivity options, modern driver assist systems and a future-oriented infotainment system.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

With summer holidays in full swing, ŠKODA is offering customers motoring piece of mind with a stress-free Summer Health Check

Milton Keynes, 19 July 2016: As thousands of families pack up the car for every possible eventuality this summer, ŠKODA wants to remind customers that checking the health of their vehicle is just as important as remembering to charge the iPads.

For just £30, ŠKODA customers can book their car in at one of ŠKODA's retailers across the UK for a Summer Health Check delivered by fully-trained technicians. No detail is too small for the team as they carry out a check on tyres, lights, brakes, battery, air-conditioning system and fluids.

The Summer Health Check also includes a complimentary ŠKODA picnic blanket worth £15, perfect for holiday picnics on the beach. And for those unsure what in-car items are required by law when driving abroad, ŠKODA’s free European driving guide has all the answers. Whether it’s a GB sticker, a warning triangle or fluorescent vests, all can be purchased from local ŠKODA retailers.

Warren Richards, Head of Service and Parts Operations at ŠKODA UK said, "Families will be packing up the car ready for holidays all over the UK in the coming week. Our Health Check gives our customers peace of mind that their vehicle is in perfect condition."

"Customers can rely on our fully-trained technicians to deliver an outstanding service and a hassle-free experience. Our technicians focus on the areas most likely to have suffered wear and tear in between recommended service intervals such as brakes and tyres, which can play on motorists' mind during long journeys.”

To book a Summer Health Check visit www.skoda.co.uk or visit your local retailer.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

The ŠKODA Superb has increased its remarkable tally of industry accolades by adding The Telegraph’s ‘Best Family Car 2016’ title to its collection. The Superb was named as a clear winner in the 2016 Telegraph Car Awards – seeing off some of the stiffest competition in the sector.

Milton Keynes, 8 July, 2016: The Awards were judged by The Telegraph’s panel of road test experts with the findings based on a wide variety of factors including road tests, first drives and extended ownership assessments. The Superb was praised for its driving dynamics and high levels of equipment, with the panel highlighting its generous levels of interior space.

Commenting on the award, The Telegraph’s judges said: “You don’t even need to upgrade to the estate model to get huge practicality from ŠKODA’s Superb. Throw in a smooth ride, great safety credentials and low running costs and you’ve got a fantastic family car.”

This latest title comes in the same week that Auto Express named the Superb Best Family Car and Best Estate car as part of its 2016 New Car Awards. Since its launch last September, the third-generation Superb has won 11 industry awards in the UK – making it one of the most decorated cars in ŠKODA’s history.

The Superb range starts from £19,060 for the hatch version and £20,260 for the estate. Available with five trim grades, including the all-new SportLine variant - power outputs range from 120PS to 280PS, while transmission options include DSG automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA is again the most dependable car brand in Great Britain. The result was confirmed for a second consecutive time by the J.D.Power market research company‘s 2016 study.

Moreover, ŠKODA YETI and ŠKODA FABIA top the ranking in their segments. The renowned ‘J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)’ took place for a second time in 2016. The study focuses on cars registered by their owners between the years 2013 and 2015, which means the vehicles are now 12 to 36 months old. J.D. Power collected responses from more than 13,000 original car owners around Great Britain, inquiring about problems they had experienced with their vehicles in the past 12 months. J.D. Power examined 177 problem symptoms divided into eight categories including engine and transmission; vehicle exterior; driving experience; displays and controls; infotainment; seats; air conditioning and vehicle interior.

Ranking of the VDS study is determined by the number of problems specified per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. With only 66 points ŠKODA leads the ranking, surpassing the runner-up by 13 points. The Czech car manufacturer thus beats its own result from last year by 11 points. The overall average for all participating brands is 113 points.

In addition, excellent quality of the ŠKODA cars convinced also owners in individual car segments. ŠKODA FABIA received the highest award in the small car segment while ŠKODA YETI dominated the compact SUV category. ŠKODA OCTAVIA rounded off the overall result for the brand with second place among compact cars. Second largest sales market in Western Europe and fourth largest market in the world, the British Isles are of key importance for ŠKODA.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

ŠKODA is beginning its major SUV campaign with the ŠKODA KODIAQ. The 4.70-m-long SUV is a real all-rounder. It offers the largest boot capacity within its class.

With the optional third row of seats, it has yet another unique selling point in the segment. The ŠKODA KODIAQ represents all of the brand’s strengths – expressive design, a high degree of functionality and many ‘Simply Clever’ features. With the ŠKODA KODIAQ, which will go on sale at the beginning of 2017, new emphasis is being placed on infotainment, assistance systems and connectivity.

With the ŠKODA KODIAQ, ŠKODA is entering a new market segment that is growing quickly across the world – the large SUV class. With this campaign, the company wants to engage new customer groups, increase its market shares and further strengthen its position in international markets. The ŠKODA KODIAQ demonstrates where ŠKODA stands today, and it also points to the future – with a variety of new technology and future-oriented features in terms of connectivity, including mobile online services for the best information and safety.

“Our new ŠKODA KODIAQ SUV is a great all-rounder,” said ŠKODA CEO, Bernhard Maier. “It combines an active sense of vitality with the brand’s classic qualities – a high degree of functionality and an outstanding amount of space. As always, in the design process we have focused on offering a little bit more car, and as a result, the best vehicle in the segment. In addition, with its emotive design, the ŠKODA KODIAQ is a strong presence on the road.”

Full of character: transfer of design language into the SUV segment
Even at first glance, the ŠKODA KODIAQ is a true ŠKODA: with a design that is full of character and emotion, and thereby brings the brand’s new design language into the SUV segment. In day-to-day use, it offers a variety of qualities for family, leisure and business. Whether as a five- or seven-seater, the ŠKODA KODIAQ has plenty of space for everyone and everything. In addition, with a capacity of up to 2,065 litres, the five-seater boasts the largest boot within its class. The longitudinally adjustable rear seats come as standard, the backrests can be tilted as required.

Ease of use, excellent workmanship and the ‘Simply Clever’ philosophy are ŠKODA’s defining characteristics. The ŠKODA KODIAQ introduces new and extraordinary concepts, including plastic door-edge protection that deploys automatically to avoid damaging the vehicle in garages or car parks. There is an electric child safety lock for the youngest passengers as well as a sleep comfort package with special headrests for long trips.

At the top of the segment: connectivity solutions
With innovative connectivity solutions, the ŠKODA KODIAQ is at the top end of its segment. The infotainment elements originate from Volkswagen Group’s second-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix. They offer numerous functions and interfaces, and are all equipped with capacitive touchscreens. The top-of-the-range Columbus and Amundsen systems come with a WiFi hotspot. As an optional extra, there is an LTE module for the Columbus system – it establishes an Internet connection using the fastest mobile communications standard currently available. Passengers can use this to browse online and send emails using their mobile phones and tablets to their hearts’ content.

The new mobile online services from ŠKODA are compatible with LTE, and are divided into two categories: the Infotainment Online services provide information and navigation, and the Care Connect services provide breakdown and emergency assistance. The eCall emergency button, which will be required for all new cars in Europe from 2018, is already now part of the Care Connect service. Other online services run via the ŠKODA Connect app. They can be used to check, configure and find a car from afar via a smartphone.

The ŠKODA KODIAQ reaches a new level when it comes to the intelligent pairing of car and smartphone. The SmartLink platform, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLinkTM and SmartGate, is optional for the entry-level Swing infotainment system. SmartLink is a standard feature for more advanced infotainment systems. The Phonebox with inductive charging connects the smartphone to the roof aerial and charges it wirelessly.

Reliable support: driver assistance systems
In the ŠKODA KODIAQ, a wide range of driving assistance systems is available. The Area View cameras, new for ŠKODA, display the car’s immediate surroundings on the monitor. When a trailer is attached to the large SUV, the Tow Assist system takes over manoeuvring when reversing slowly. The new predictive pedestrian protection function complements Front Assist. Parking Distance Control with braking function, also new, provides support with parking manoeuvres – the ŠKODA KODIAQ brakes automatically as soon as it detects an obstacle.

Furthermore, additional driver assistance systems are available for the ŠKODA KODIAQ. They keep the car at a safe distance from vehicles in front, make it easier for the driver to change and stay in lane, alert the driver to important traffic signs and assist when parking.

Powerful and agile: engines and chassis
When the ŠKODA KODIAQ launches at the beginning of 2017, there will be a choice of five engines: two TDIs and three TSIs. The most powerful petrol engine, the 2.0-litre TSI, provides dynamic driving performance with a power output of 132 kW (180 PS); it works just as efficiently as a lower capacity powertrain thanks to a newly developed combustion process. The high proportion of high-strength steel in the body makes the ŠKODA KODIAQ unusually lightweight – another important factor in its efficiency.

A range of technology is available for the transmission – six-speed manual gearbox, DSG transmission, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The large SUV from the Czech Republic negotiates all types of streets in a balanced and comfortable, yet dynamic and nimble way. The driving experience becomes even more appealing when the car features Driving Mode Select and the new Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). Using these, operation of the steering, accelerator, DSG transmission and suspension can be configured in multiple modes.

The new ŠKODA KODIAQ feels equally at home on rough terrain. Upon reaching the end of the road, the off-road mode supports the driver when using four-wheel drive. At the touch of a button, all the relevant systems – engine management, assistance systems, electronic chassis systems, such as ABS and ESC, as well as the suspension if combined with the optional DCC – automatically adjust to off-road conditions.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

The ŠKODA Superb has increased its remarkable tally of industry accolades by adding The Telegraph’s ‘Best Family Car 2016’ title to its collection. The Superb was named as a clear winner in the 2016 Telegraph Car Awards – seeing off some of the stiffest competition in the sector.

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