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The new dream car of 23 trainees from the ŠKODA AUTO Vocational School: The ŠKODA FUNstar pickup. The fun vehicle concept, based on the new ŠKODA Fabia, is the result of ŠKODA’s ‘trainee car’ project, which was run for the first time last year. The ŠKODA FUNstar will be making its public debut at the 34th GTI Meeting at Wörthersee from the 13th to the 16th May 2015.

Mladá Boleslav, 30th April 2015 – The two young women and 21 young men have been tinkering on their own vehicle project since November 2014. Developing ideas and discussing possible solutions, drawing, designing and they have built a very special, unique car. Inventiveness and flexibility are just as important as pragmatism and implementation skills. The trainees have been supported in their work by ŠKODA chief designer Jozef Kabaň and ŠKODA AUTO Production Director Michael Oeljeklaus. The new ‘Trainee Car’ is almost ready; the premiere takes place at the legendary GTI Meeting at Wörthersee in Austria in mid-May.

This is the second year in a row that the Czech manufacturer has given selected trainees the opportunity to create their dream car. The company’s goal with this programme is to promote and strengthen the vocational students’ creativity and expertise. “After the excellent results of the ŠKODA Trainee Car premiere last year, it was clear that we would continue the project,” said ŠKODA HR Director Bohdan Wojnar. “We are once again delighted with our students’ creative ideas and their goal-oriented implementation. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the project, especially the teachers at the ŠKODA AUTO Vocational School. The ŠKODA FUNstar is a great concept car that is going to surprise and inspire visitors at the GTI Meeting.”

The ŠKODA FUNstar is a funky pickup based on the new ŠKODA Fabia – cheeky, fresh and surprising. This is a bright, sharp pickup with a real fun factor, not only in name. The ŠKODA FUNstar stands out with its metallic colours steel-grey and moon-white. The sills, grille surround and the rear spoiler form a striking contrast in reflex-green. One special feature is the LED lights mounted below the sidebars. The dual-lens headlights also feature LED technology, with green LED light strips serving as daytime running lights. LEDs are also used in the rear lights.

“Through this project, our apprentices have really shown what they are capable of,” said ŠKODA Production Board member Michael Oeljeklaus whose department has taken the junior employees under their wing in production technology. “The project has been great fun. The students have really got on board with the task, showing great zeal and developing their expertise.”

The ŠKODA FUNstar drives up on 18-inch ‘Gemini’ alloys from the Octavia RS. The engine is a 1.2 TSI petrol with 90 kW. The transmission features a modern seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The sporty look continues in the interior. Individual elements are also finished in steel-grey and moon-white. It goes without saying that the students used one of the best sports steering wheels ŠKODA has to offer, and the 1400-Watt sound system offers a fantastic music experience.

The ‘Trainee Car’ project once again demonstrates the high quality of ŠKODA’s vocational training, and the importance of combining theoretical education with practical experience. The ŠKODA Vocational School offers young adults three- or four-year training programmes in technical subjects. The students graduate with an apprenticeship diploma or NVQ level 3 respectively. There are currently 13 training courses, on which 880 full-time trainees are enrolled. Some 12.5 per cent of these apprentices are young women. In addition, 65 current employees are supplementing their qualifications at a post-graduate level. The ŠKODA Vocational School in Mladá Boleslav was established in 1927. Since then, almost 22,000 students have completed their training there.

Training young people is a key part of the Czech car manufacturer’s social responsibility. The training is free; moreover, students are paid for their work during their apprentices. After successfully completing the training, ŠKODA offers all graduates a permanent job.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA customers have once again confirmed that the Czech brand makes some of the most satisfying cars to own, with three class wins in the annual Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

Milton Keynes, 22nd April 2015 – The 2015 Auto Express Driver Power survey attracted 61,113 respondents who were asked to judge their car in a number of key areas, from ride quality to practicality. The ŠKODA Yeti stormed to the top of the Best Off-road/SUV category, making it four class wins in a row. The ŠKODA Roomster took victory in the Best MPV category, and customers voted the ŠKODA Superb the Best Family Car.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express said: “ŠKODA has been a consistent winner in our Driver Power surveys, and 2015 is no different. SUV buyers are a demanding lot, but the Yeti is clearly loved by owners. And despite their age, the Roomster and Superb winning their categories shows that owners don’t fall out of love with their ŠKODAs.”

Commenting on the 2015 Driver Power results, Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK said: “This is another great result for ŠKODA. We’re delighted that our customers are so passionate about their cars. We’ve already introduced some great new products this year, in the shape of the Fabia Hatch and Estate, and with the new Superb arriving in the UK this summer we’ve got more great vehicles to delight customers.”

The award-winning Yeti and Superb are available in ŠKODA retailers now, while the all-new ŠKODA Superb goes on sale in the UK this summer, priced from £18,640 OTR.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Fabia drivers who find themselves in a blue mood, pretty in pink or simply seeing red can now change the colour of their car at the touch of a button. ŠKODA has created the world’s first ‘on the move’ colour-change system that allows motorists to alter the hue of individual panels via a new menu on the touchscreen infotainment system.

Milton Keynes, April 1st 2015 - A further extension of the Fabia’s acclaimed Colour Concept system – a £500 option that allows buyers to mix and match body, roof and wheel colours – the ShadeChange™ feature is set to bring a whole new world of technicolour variety to ŠKODA drivers.

To change panels, owners simply select the panel they want to change on the infotainment screen and then choose the colour from the palette. The Fabia’s advanced electronics handle the rest of the process – changing the colour immediately.

The revolutionary system has been developed by a team of ŠKODA engineers led by Professor Dr Gio Kyng of Prague University. Each panel is coated with a microscopic layer of unobtainium – a newly discovered element that changes colour when a small electrical charge is applied to it.

“Customers are no longer limited to the colour they choose when they order the car.” Explains Dr Kyng. “When drivers are feeling in a jolly, spring-like mood, they can switch the whole car to a bright yellow. On the other hand, if they are feeling sad because their cat is unwell, they can switch it to black.”

The ŠKODA ShadeChange™ technology is in final development phase and will be available to customers shortly. Meanwhile, the all-new, award-winning Fabia Hatch and Estate are in retailers now with prices starting from £10,600.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA has added to the heightening anticipation around the all-new Superb with a virtual showcase of the new large car at the annual Fleet News awards, held last week at Grosvenor House in London.

Milton Keynes, 31st March 2015 – The technology-packed new model – which launches this summer – was a centre-piece at the pre-awards reception, but because a real car could not be transported into the room, it was in virtual form, on three linked giant LED screens that together created a 3D representation of the car.

This smart, technological way of showcasing the new Superb fits neatly with the car’s ‘Simply Clever’ technology features, while at the same time allowing guests to see the car’s crisply styled exterior.

Patrick McGillycuddy, Head of Fleet for ŠKODA UK, said: “The excitement around the new Superb has been building, particularly since its public premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. The car itself will hit British roads in late summer, but as it’s likely to be a huge hit for company car drivers across the country, we wanted to do something special for the Fleet News awards. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve had about the installation, we’re confident we achieved that.”

The showcase’s popularity capped off a brilliant night for ŠKODA, as the company claimed two prestigious awards: ‘Best Estate Car’ for the Octavia Estate and ‘Best Small Car’ for the new Fabia. These prizes, in turn, have added to an already successful year for the brand – following Fabia’s triumph as the overall winner at the What Car? ‘Car of the Year’ ceremony in January.

The stylish new ŠKODA Superb is longer, lighter, and even more spacious than the current version, yet starts at £18,640 - £50 less than the outgoing entry-level S model. Company car drivers are also well catered for, with the Superb SE Business model which features a higher level of standard equipment including Alcantara upholstery, front and rear parking sensors and satellite navigation and starts from £21,590 for the 1.6 TDI 120PS model.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

With its exceptionally spacious cabin and class-leading rear legroom, the all-new ŠKODA Superb is set to be a great place to do business when UK deliveries start later this year. And, thanks to the introduction from launch of a new SE Business trim level, company car drivers will get to enjoy an even higher level of specification, comfort and refinement.

Milton Keynes, 23rd March 2015 - Designed to meet the specific needs of the fleet market, SE Business trim level adds a raft of additional equipment over the already well-equipped SE model.

The specification, which adds even greater comfort and technology, includes upmarket Alcantara upholstery; front and rear parking sensors and stylish sunset glass from the B-pillar back, to help keep occupants cool. ŠKODA’s Amundsen touchscreen satellite navigation system is included as standard, with a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen and Bluetooth telephone integration, as well as SmartLink (which integrates mobile phone functions via Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and Google Android Auto). Also featured is Drive mode selection, which enables drivers to choose between Eco, Sport or Normal driving profiles. From 2016*, a Phone box with wireless charging and an enhanced mobile signal will also be standard, meaning driver’s phones will always be charged without the need to plug in.

As on the SE, SE Business models also come with stylish 17-inch alloy wheels; dual-zone air conditioning; lumbar support, cornering front fog lights; electrically folding door mirrors; Front Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Despite the significant increase in standard equipment, SE Business models are priced at exactly the same level as SE models, making for a seriously competitive P11D price.

Two EU6-compliant diesel engines are available from launch: a 1.6-litre 120PS unit and a 2.0-litre 150PS motor. DSG transmissions are available on both. A GreenLine model, which is expected to return 76.4mpg combined and emit just 95g/km of CO2, will join the line-up in due course. Prices start at just £21,590 for the 1.6-litre 120PS model.

New Superb - the most advanced ŠKODA ever built

The new Superb features a striking design with sharp creases along the flanks and a svelte coupe-like profile. While it is 28mm longer and 47mm wider than its predecessor, it’s the 80mm longer wheelbase that drivers will most appreciate, as it makes for an even more spacious passenger compartment. The boot is 30 litres larger than before, at 625 litres, expanding to a cavernous 1,760 litres with the rear seat backs folded.

Despite the increased size, the new ŠKODA Superb is up to 75kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks in part to weight-saving measures made available by the car’s advanced MQB construction. This helps make it both more efficient and more agile.

The new Superb is also brimming with new technology and ŠKODA’s acclaimed Simply Clever features. Designed and engineered to make the new Superb safer and more comfortable, new optional features include the clever Virtual pedal system, which opens the boot with just the wave of a foot under the rear bumper; Blind spot detection; Rear traffic alert (which makes reversing out of parking spaces safer); third-generation Park assist (which enables automatic parking in parallel spaces, and in perpendicular spaces either nose-first or tail-first) and, on DSG-equipped models, Traffic jam assist, which makes driving in heavy traffic less stressful.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

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