Skoda's Fabia Monte Carlo Anniversary Model Packs Style but Lacks Punch

VW Group subsidiary Skoda is celebrating the 100 years of the Monte Carlo Rally as well as its own 110 year-long involvement in motorsports with the presentation of the Fabia Monte Carlo, a special edition version of the five-door hatchback model with bespoke exterior and interior styling cues.

On the outside, the Czech special gets extensive piano-black trim covering the front grille and spoiler lip, wheel arch add-ons, side skirts and mirror housings. Furthermore, the Fabia Monte Carlo boasts a black roof, tinted windows and headlights, complemented by 17-inch Trinity alloys for the UK or 16-inch Comet rims for the rest of Europe.

Inside, customers can choose between all black or red and black sport seats which provide additional side support. In tone with the exterior’s color scheme, designers opted for black roof lining and leather steering wheel with red stitching, accompanied by leather handbrake and shifter knob. Silver footrests and steel pedals round off the interior upgrades.

Based on the Ambiente (SE in the UK) trim level, the special edition model will be available with an extensive, market-differentiated engine line-up, including the 86/105 hp 1.2-liter TSI petrol and 75/105 hp 1.6-liter TDI diesel engines, all coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Fabia Monte Carlo will make its first public appearance at this year’s Monte Carlo Rally (January 19-22), while its show premiere is planned for the Geneva Salon in March. Depending on the market, orders will be taken from January 24 (UK) or beginning from February.

By Csaba Daradics

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VW Group's Skoda Division Sets New Record in 2010 with 762,600 Sales

The once ailing Skoda brand is turning out to be a solid investment for the Volkswagen Group as the Czech automaker is breaking one sales record after the other. In the year that just passed on, Skoda Auto recorded is best-ever sales results delivering 762,000 vehicles, which represents an increase of 11.5% over 2009 when it sold 684,200 units. Furthermore, the company broke the threshold of three quarters of a million vehicles sold in a single year for the first time in its history.

Commenting on the results, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland, Chairman of the Board of Skoda Auto said:

“In 2010, Škoda achieved an outstanding performance. In almost all markets, we have had significant growth and increased our market share. Once again, our sales have risen at a double-digit pace. In the most significant developing markets, our growth rates are above 40%. Within the framework of the Škoda growth strategy, we will shift up a gear in the coming years. By 2018, we want to at least double our worldwide sales. In order to do so, we will clearly expand the Škoda model range and strengthen the activities in international markets."

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VIDEO: Meet the Bad Boy Builders of Skoda’s Mean Green Fabia vRS

After focusing on the 'Mean Green' machine first, Skoda has now released a follow-up video clip documenting the fictional bad boy crew that builds the Fabia vRS hot-hatch in the firm's latest commercial on the car for the United Kingdom. The new campaign takes a darker but equally humorous twist on the Fabia’s ‘Made of Lovely Stuff’ proposition which was made famous by the 2007 Fabia ‘Cake’ commercial. You can watch the new ad in the video after the jump.

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Paris Preshow: Skoda's All-Electric Octavia Green E Line

[Updated] This year's edition of the Paris show will see the VW Group's successful Skoda brand unveiling its first-ever electric-powered vehicle called the Octavia Green E Line. Skoda says it is planning to create a special test fleet of Octavias Green E Line in 2011 with the goal of obtaining additional information relevant to the further development of the electric drive.

The concept model is based on the series production Octavia Combi [estate] and is powered by an electric motor delivering a constant power of 60 kW / 80-hp and a maximum output of 85 kW / 114-hp. Peak torque of 270Nm or 199 lb-ft is available right from the start.

The pure-electric Octavia accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in twelve seconds, while the car's maximum speed is limited to 135 km/h (84mph).

Electricity for the drive motor is supplied by a 26.5 kWh battery made up of 180 lithium-ion cells, which weighs around 315 kg or 695 pounds and is located under the middle and rear parts of the floor extending partly into the luggage compartment.

Skoda claims the battery has "almost no impact" on the volume of the passenger and luggage compartments of the Octavia Combi.

At full capacity, the battery is said to offer a driving range of about 140 kilometers or 87 miles.

The concept model at the Paris show will be finished in a Pearl-white exterior color and feature a glossy black roof with integrated energy-generating photovoltaic panels.

New Cars - Skoda reveals new Octavia vRS & Scout

Skoda has today released the first official images of its facelifted Octavia vRS and Octavia Scout.

Following the launch of the new Octavia late last year, the vRS and Scout have now also been updated to bring them into line with the current range and family face of Škoda.

The facelifted vRS has a redesigned front grille featuring the vRS logo and bold headlamps, which for the first time can be fitted with xenon headlights combined with the adaptive front lighting system.

The car has two more completely new features: front fog lamps with optional cornering function and LED lamps for daytime lighting. The rear lights have also been redesigned to look more attractive and new 18-inch Neptune alloy wheels are available.

Other changes to the vRS include a new metallic paint, Anthracite, and a lowered (now 127mm) sports-tuned chassis. The car is also lighter – the petrol version by 20kg and the diesel by 15kg. With reduced air resistance the maximum speed of the vRS is now higher and the car’s responsiveness and acceleration have also been improved.

The vRS is available with a choice of two powerplants, a 2.0-litre TFSI 150kW (petrol) or a 2.0-litre TDI 126kW (diesel) engine both of which are available with a six-speed manual twin-clutch DSG transmission.

The new Scout has a redesigned front grille, bold headlamps and body-coloured side mouldings. The front fog lights can be fitted with the optional cornering function and the large front bumper emphasises the car’s rugged appearance. A new metallic paint, Rosso Brunello, is also available across the Octavia range.

With 179mm ground clearance and efficient chassis protection, the Octavia Scout can also handle itself off-road. The all-wheel drive system features the fourth-generation Haldex clutch, which can transfer as much as 86 per cent of the torque to a single wheel.

The Scout is available with two engine choice, a 1.8-litre TSI 119kW (petrol) and 2.0-litre TDI 104kW (diesel) combined with a six-speed mechanical transmission.

New Cars - Skoda reveals new Octavia vRS & Scout

Skoda has today released the first official images of its facelifted Octavia vRS and Octavia Scout.

Following the launch of the new Octavia late last year, the vRS and Scout have now also been updated to bring them into line with the current range and family face of Škoda.

The facelifted vRS has a redesigned front grille featuring the vRS logo and bold headlamps, which for the first time can be fitted with xenon headlights combined with the adaptive front lighting system.

The car has two more completely new features: front fog lamps with optional cornering function and LED lamps for daytime lighting. The rear lights have also been redesigned to look more attractive and new 18-inch Neptune alloy wheels are available.

Other changes to the vRS include a new metallic paint, Anthracite, and a lowered (now 127mm) sports-tuned chassis. The car is also lighter – the petrol version by 20kg and the diesel by 15kg. With reduced air resistance the maximum speed of the vRS is now higher and the car’s responsiveness and acceleration have also been improved.

The vRS is available with a choice of two powerplants, a 2.0-litre TFSI 150kW (petrol) or a 2.0-litre TDI 126kW (diesel) engine both of which are available with a six-speed manual twin-clutch DSG transmission.

The new Scout has a redesigned front grille, bold headlamps and body-coloured side mouldings. The front fog lights can be fitted with the optional cornering function and the large front bumper emphasises the car’s rugged appearance. A new metallic paint, Rosso Brunello, is also available across the Octavia range.

With 179mm ground clearance and efficient chassis protection, the Octavia Scout can also handle itself off-road. The all-wheel drive system features the fourth-generation Haldex clutch, which can transfer as much as 86 per cent of the torque to a single wheel.

The Scout is available with two engine choice, a 1.8-litre TSI 119kW (petrol) and 2.0-litre TDI 104kW (diesel) combined with a six-speed mechanical transmission.

Skoda Wallpaper

Skoda Fabia vRS Wallpaper

Skoda Fabia vRS Wallpaper

Skoda Fabia vRS Wallpaper



Skoda Fabia vRS Wallpaper



The Skoda Fabia is Volkswagen's budget friendly version of the Polo. So there is no surprise that the Fabia vRS shares component with its sporty cousin the Polo GTi and the Seat Ibiza Cupra models.

To get to the point, the 2010 Fabia RS or vRS in UK is powered by the VW Group's 1.4-liter double-supercharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers an output of 180 horsepower.

A seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission with paddle-shifters transfers power to the front wheels.

Skoda said that 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration comes in 7.3 seconds for both versions with the hatchback reaching a top speed of 225km/h or 140mph, and the Estate 227km/h or 141mph.

Combined fuel consumption for both models is estimated at 6.4lt/100km, equal to 36.8mpg US and 44mpg UK.

It's worth mentioning that the previous Fabia RS model was offered exclusively with a diesel engine.

Being a sporty model and all, Skoda's engineers tweaked the Fabia's suspension and brakes and added the firm's new XDS electronic differential which is also found on the Ibiza Cupra and Polo GTI cars.

In the styling department, both versions of the Fabia RS features subtle cosmetic upgrades that include the new front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights 17-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, tinted windows and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and dual exhaust.

Depending on the color of the body, the roof, rear spoiler and wheels for the Fabia RS hatchback can be finished in black, white or silver.

As for the interior, both cars get sports seats with "RS" logos on the backrests, a new three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals.

Volkswagen Releases New Small Family in Slovakia

The FINANCIAL -- Europe's largest carmaker, Volkswagen, has set its course for the future. Yesterday, a decision on the production location for the future New Small Family was taken.


VW Up! and Space-Up! Concepts - Carscoop"Our team at Volkswagen in Slovakia is ideally prepared to provide the flexibility required for the production of the New Small Family. Four brands are already produced successfully under one roof at our plant in Bratislava today," said Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.


This investment is certainly a leap of faith in favor of Volkswagen Slovakia. VW SK company rep Andreas Tostmann said, "I'm happy about the confidence that has been shown in the Slovak plant." TASR quoted him as saying, "We're well equipped to produce such progressive vehicles as new small family cars thanks to our qualified and motivated workers."


The first study of these economical city cars made its world debut at the 62nd International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in 2007. The second version with its smart space concept followed only a few weeks later at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. 20 months after the presentation of the first study, Volkswagen has now laid the foundations for the production of the future New Small Family.


Presumably, these New Small Family cars are based on the Volkswagen up! concepts. The plant will initially be responsible for building new three-door and five-door models for Volkswagen, Seat, and Skoda, according to a press release. These cars should be available for purchase by 2011.
via:World Car Fans



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Geneva 2009: Skoda Unveils Three Fabia Design Studies

Skoda Fabia design study at the Geneva show, a preview of next year the military model, because the next 12 months


Although the seat should be public sports brand, Skoda made Spain look forward to the intention of stealing the limelight.

This is because although the seats had to cut back on its racing operations, Skoda has set up a good Rally S2000, and inspired the Czech manufacturer of machine set up a new law than the runner-up.


According to the position of the first chapter of Skoda, the completion of the military will look like a cross between the show car at Geneva and Rally, and will be brilliant and turbocharged 1.4-liter supercharged Volkswagen engine, adjust to about 180hp.


Skoda S2000 Rally heuristic than the runner-up to beat the new Volkswagen Polo market initiatives will have the same fast and cheaper too.
via:imotormag




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