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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.

Skoda Superb Combi

ŠKODA exhibits the Superb Combi with the design package Laurin & Klement, design study VisionD and the special edition Fabia Monte Carlo at the Autoslaon Brno.

At this year’s Autosalon Brno, the Czech automobile manufacturer ŠKODA for the first time exhibits the model Superb Combi with the exclusive design package Laurin & Klement. Today, the vehicle was presented within the framework of a press conference at the fair, impressing with high-quality equipment and fine design elements. Another highlight of the company’s presence at the fair is the design study VisionD, with which ŠKODA hints at the architecture of future models. The special edition model Fabia Monte Carlo emphasizes the sporty character of the brand, paying homage to successes in motor sports and the 110-year old motor sports tradition of the manufacturer.

The design package Laurin & Klement gives the Superb a particularly individual touch. The design package is available for the five-door sedan and the station wagon. With a chromium-plated front grille and the Laurin & Klement plaque at the rear of the vehicle, the model conveys its individual equipment upon first sight. Exclusive use is made of the 18-inch light alloy wheels “Sirius”.

When stepping into the vehicle, the Superb Laurin & Klement greets its passengers with door sills made of stainless steel. The sills are adorned with the Laurin & Klement logo, which can also be found on the rear of the front seats.

The interior equipment “Executive”, which is offered exclusively in combination with the design package, is matched with other elements and color-coordinated with the new metallic color “Magnetic Brown”. Available as options are the decorative trims in the design “Piano” or in a wood decor.
The engine options of the Superb Laurin & Klement fulfill the highest demands regarding dynamic driving and power. The gas engines offered are the turbo-charged four-cylinder engine 2.0 TSI/147 kW with the six-gear automatic transmission DSG and the six-cylinder 3.6 FSI V6/191 kW, also with the six-gear automatic transmission DSG and all-wheel drive. Friends of the self-igniting diesel engine will enjoy the four-cylinder 2.0 TDI CR DPF/125 kW, which is available in combination with the six-gear manual transmission or the DSG.

Celebrating its Czech premiere in Brno, the design concept VisionD allows for a first look at the design of future vehicles developed by ŠKODA. The concept impresses with clear and precise styling, created with the utmost care and love for detail. The new logo, which can be seen on the study and which will adorn the new models of the brand beginning in 2012, was structured more clearly and given a high-value look. The front end with its sharper logo, redesigned front grille, as well as the four headlights arranged in clover-leaf fashion express the independent design of the vehicle even more effectively. The rear end of the concept car receives its distinctive character primarily through the new logo as well as the even more clearly developed C-form of the rear lights.

Skoda Fabia

This year’s GTI-Treffen in Reifnitz, by Lake Wörthersee, is set to attract tuning fans from all over Europe for the thirtieth time at the beginning of June, and ŠKODA will once again be in the thick of the action, showcasing the Fabia RS 2000 design concept prepared especially for this anniversary meeting, the rally Fabia Super 2000, the sporty Fabia RS and the all-action Fabia Monte Carlo. Besides the latest innovations in its sports models, ŠKODA will be offering a packed programme of entertainment.

“These days, the GTI-Treffen is rightly hailed by fans of powerful engines and sporty customization as the Mecca of car tuning,” says ŠKODA boss Winfried Vahland. “Anyone who comes to the event once never wants to miss another year of this fascinating get-together. The jubilee year of 2011 is a welcome opportunity for us to show off our sports models and make sure that everyone knows that ŠKODA really has something to offer here.”

The Fabia RS 2000 concept car has been developed and built specifically for the GTI-Treffen. Drawing on the successful Fabia Super 2000 rally car, ŠKODA’s designers have created an original roadster pursuing a single goal: dynamism and the joy of sporty driving. Based on the ŠKODA Motorsport’s broad rally car, the Fabia RS 2000 offers plenty of room for four occupants to climb in and sit in the car with ease. Besides the great view, the sharply sloping windscreen provides a constant supply of fresh air and a sense of being at one with nature.

Motorsports fans can look forward to the Fabia Super 2000, which was unbeatable last season as it dominated the IRC world championship series (Intercontinental Rally Challenge). At Wörthersee, ŠKODA is presenting the race-winning car driven by the Austrian Raimund Baumschlager as he won his tenth Austrian rally championship. Baumschlager will be making a personal appearance at the ŠKODA stand on 2 June.

Besides exhibiting cars, the ŠKODA stand, covering an area of ??600 m2, will host a plethora of events for visitors. Motorsport fans will have the chance to take part in a rally simulation, experience a free fall, and race remote-controlled models.

2011 Skoda Octavia SE

* Octavia 1.6 MPI (102 PS) SE available from just £10,995 OTR
* Long list of standard options including air conditioning, six-CD changer and heated mirrors
* Offer limited to 2,000 cars nationwide

Škoda’s multi-award winning Octavia hatchback is now being offered at an incredible £10,995 on the road or from just £149 per month with Skoda Finance. This outstanding offer applies to 1.6 MPI SE specification cars and represents a saving of £3,735 (25%) off the normal price.

A generous standard equipment list extends to 15” alloys wheels, ABS, airbags, air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, a touch screen stereo with six-CD changer, trip computer and electric heated door mirrors.

The 1.6 MPI (102 PS) engine offers excellent performance and low running costs which, combined with Škoda’s engineering excellence, represent the outstanding value for money for which the brand has become famous.

The Octavia already has a reputation as a great family car thanks to its combination of style, reliability, comfort and class-leading interior space. But don’t just take our word for it – the Octavia was recently awarded by What Car? readers as the Best Small Family Car. Škoda also picked up the award for Best Manufacturer, and came out top in the Auto Express Driver Power Awards.

This offer is limited to 2,000 cars nationwide and is available to order from retailers now.