New ŠKODA Citigo: A small ŠKODA For the city 

  • ŠKODA enters the city car segment with its sixth production model
  • The ŠKODA Citigo will be launched in the Czech market in late 2011
  • Launched in the UK and rest of Europe from summer 2012
  • First-class safety features, attractive design and economical petrol engines

ŠKODA is continuing its growth offensive by introducing its sixth production model. Citigo is the name of ŠKODA's exciting new city car. The brand's new model will make its debut in its domestic market, the Czech Republic, before the end of this year, with the UK and other European countries following at the beginning of summer 2012. Offering impressive amounts of space and four seats, the Citigo will be launched in three-door and five-door versions.

“The Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. It paves the way for tremendous opportunities in a new segment,” said ŠKODA Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “The Citigo is literally a ‘Simply Clever’ car. Despite its small size, it offers ample interior space; it is agile while frugal. Put simply: it’s an attractive choice offering many clever ideas. The car offers all of ŠKODA's values in a compact package and fits perfectly with our aims.”

With the Citigo, ŠKODA is entering a new sector. “The demand for small cars with low fuel consumption, at a favourable price and with reasonable operating costs, is growing,” continues Prof. Vahland. “ŠKODA's new small vehicle is a reaction to this trend. We are entering new ground and the Citigo will attract prospects mainly in our European markets.”

The designers have given the car a distinct look that defines this as a new ŠKODA. The finned grille set in a chrome-plated frame and precisely shaped headlamps give the car a typical ŠKODA look. The Citigo will measure just 3.56 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 1.48 metres high.

The ŠKODA Citigo is an ideal car in and out of the city. It offers a surprisingly generous interior space, something not usually found in a city car but typical of all ŠKODA models. This has been created with the clear and transparent arrangement of all elements. The car's long wheel base – 2.42 metres – provides enough comfort for four passengers even on long trips. The boot volume is a sizeable 251 litres, which can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats.

The Citigo’s interior not only offers practical space but also a high level of quality and precision in its design. Front headrests integrated into the seats, as well as a number of other smart solutions, make the Citigo a ‘simply clever vehicle’. The interior design includes numerous storage compartments, cup holders and multimedia systems, as well as storage pockets on the sides of the front seats. In addition, a special bag hook integrated in to the glovebox handle, and a photograph holder on the central console, are two clever interior elements.

The vehicle boasts a number of solutions to help improve overall comfort. In the three-door version, the ‘Easy Entry’ system allows easy access to the rear seats. The front passenger's seat can be moved and folded forward to ensure easy access to the rear seats. For the first time in a ŠKODA vehicle, a portable navigation system is available. The device is fitted to the dashboard and can be removed easily and used on the go. Being an integral part of the vehicle's onboard electronics, the system provides not just navigation, but also hands-free calling with built-in Bluetooth and onboard infotainment. Using a 5-inch touch screen, the driver can view important information about the car (onboard computer, optical signals from the parking sensors, etc).

The Citigo places great emphasis on safety. For the first time in a ŠKODA vehicle, the designers have used a Head-Thorax side airbag to protect the heads of both the driver and the front seat passenger. Along with a number of other items, this system is part of a safety package usually found on much larger cars. In addition, active safety is enhanced by the ‘City Safe Drive’, a new brake assistance system based on a laser sensor that is activated automatically at speeds below 30 km/h when there is danger of a collision. Depending on the speed and the traffic situation, this automatic braking solution may completely prevent a collision or at least reduce its severity. The risk of bumping into the car ahead is thus reduced significantly in city traffic. The Citigo is one of only two cars in the city car segment to offer the emergency braking functionality.

Two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines will be available after the Citigo's launch (44kW/60PS and 55kW/75PS). The engines and the transmission have been designed to provide optimum economy in cities and their surroundings. Reaching the operating temperature even on short distances, the engines are highly economical. Two highly economical green engines will offer impressively low fuel consumption figures of 67.3mpg and 65.7mpg respectively; with emissions of just 97g and 99g CO2/km respectively. The fuel consumption and emission levels for the standard engines are also low – 62.8mpg and 105g CO2/km with the 60PS engine and 60.1mpg and 108g CO2/km with the 75PS unit.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA VOTED ‘BEST MANUFACTURER’

It’s four on the bounce for ŠKODA! The Czech brand has been voted ‘Best Manufacturer’ again in the influential Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

It’s ŠKODA’s second success in a week as the popular magazine reveals its annual questionnaire results, compiled from thousands of magazine reader responses and completed online questionnaires. Just seven days ago, the ŠKODA Yeti, Superb and Octavia all finished in the top five of the ‘Best Car’ category.

Commenting on ŠKODA’s latest achievement, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler said: “ŠKODA has said it’s a manufacturer of happy drivers and we believe it. Coming top in Driver Power is tough; today’s car buyer is more demanding than ever and every manufacturer is trying its hardest to improve its survey ratings. But ŠKODA, more than any other car maker, seems to get the basics right, and then goes above and beyond to keep its customers happier for longer.”

Robert Hazelwood, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, was delighted with the recognition. “For us to win this award for four years straight is an enormous achievement. It proves our brand continues to move in the right direction with its products, dealers and core values.”

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

The ŠKODA Rapid – The new class of ŠKODA 

 

 

 

  • The new ŠKODA Rapid – Room in its most beautiful shape
  • First ŠKODA to feature brand’s new design: clear, precise, fresh, timeless and elegant
  • The new benchmark for roominess in the compact class
  • ŠKODA Rapid complements offering between the Fabia and the Octavia
  • Salon debut in Paris 2012 - Market launch in Europe from late 2012

 

ŠKODA is resolutely pursuing its model offensive, presenting its new compact saloon, the ŠKODA Rapid, just a few months after the introduction of the ŠKODA Citigo subcompact. The brand’s most recent addition is to play a central role in the company’s growth strategy and will be phased in on European markets from the autumn of 2012.

The ŠKODA Rapid impresses with lots of room, an expressive design, an excellent price-value ratio, a comprehensive safety offering and efficient engines. “This is a model which sets benchmarks in the compact saloon segment: The ŠKODA Rapid is a roomy, elegant and at the same time an affordable car for the whole family, impressing with clever solutions, cutting-edge technology and high economy. In short, it is a car permitting mobility in a comfortable, reasonably priced and environmentally friendly package. The right car at the right time,” says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland.

The Rapid is a perfect complement of the model palette between the ŠKODA Fabia and the ŠKODA Octavia, making it at home in the large-volume compact segment. This so-called A segment currently accounts for about 36 per cent of the world’s automobile market. Within this class, saloons have a share of around 42 per cent. Industry experts estimate the number of cars of this type sold worldwide will rise by about 50 per cent by the year 2020.

ŠKODA’s Rapid first to show complete new design

The Rapid is the first ŠKODA series car ever to fully feature the brand’s newly formulated design language. “This is a car that gives out a clear statement at first glance: clear, precise, fresh and emotional,” says Eckhard Scholz, ŠKODA board member for technical development.

Perfect proportions, clear and cleanly modelled surfaces and sharply drawn lines combine to create an attractive overall appearance. The front end displays a new take on ŠKODA-typical design elements. The new brand logo confidently stands out on the harmonically rounded front edge of the bonnet. The grille shows a finely drawn chrome frame and is formed by vertical slats. The headlight ensemble is grouped at the front of the ŠKODA Rapid to form a cloverleaf shape.

The body’s side also conveys pure emotion though a long wheelbase and a coupé-like silhouette, but also thanks to a precise and sharp tornado line creating a clear division of light and shadow. At the rear, the car’s large tailgate is not merely functional, but also acts as a design element. In addition, distinctly shaped taillights in the brand’s typical C shape and the new brand logo all combine to make the ŠKODA Rapid unmistakable.

ŠKODA’s latest offspring impresses with a surprising amount of space despite compact exterior dimensions (4.48 metres in length, 1.7 metres in width). This clever compact saloon provides room for five occupants and their baggage and, this being a ŠKODA, the brand’s signature clever solutions and excellent price-value ratio as well as comprehensive safety equipment. Five petrol and two diesel engines are on offer as powerplants. ŠKODA’s newest creation will be on public display for the first time at the Paris Auto Salon. ŠKODA is aiming the Rapid especially at families looking for a roomy first car at an affordable price in ŠKODA’s familiar quality.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA VOTED ‘BEST MANUFACTURER’

It’s four on the bounce for ŠKODA! The Czech brand has been voted ‘Best Manufacturer’ again in the influential Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

It’s ŠKODA’s second success in a week as the popular magazine reveals its annual questionnaire results, compiled from thousands of magazine reader responses and completed online questionnaires. Just seven days ago, the ŠKODA Yeti, Superb and Octavia all finished in the top five of the ‘Best Car’ category.

Commenting on ŠKODA’s latest achievement, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler said: “ŠKODA has said it’s a manufacturer of happy drivers and we believe it. Coming top in Driver Power is tough; today’s car buyer is more demanding than ever and every manufacturer is trying its hardest to improve its survey ratings. But ŠKODA, more than any other car maker, seems to get the basics right, and then goes above and beyond to keep its customers happier for longer.”

Robert Hazelwood, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, was delighted with the recognition. “For us to win this award for four years straight is an enormous achievement. It proves our brand continues to move in the right direction with its products, dealers and core values.”

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

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