New MissionL Small Sedan Concept at Frankfurt Auto Show

A new concept model that previews an upcoming small sedan will be the star attraction for Skoda at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The MissionL Concept will lead to a production vehicle that will be the sixth model in the Czech automaker's range after the Fabia, Octavia Classic, Octavia, Yeti and Superb

The new car is a C-segment model similar in size to the Focus sedan that bridges the gap that exists between the Fabia and the Octavia. Like the Octavia, it will sport a five-door, liftback body-style.

“Revealing the look of our new compact model, the MissionL shows exactly the direction our brand is going to take”, said Skoda Chairman Dr. Winfried Valhand. “The world premiere in Frankfurt gives a clear signal that Skoda is going full steam ahead now.”

The production version of the MissionL will be available in Europe, Russia and China, with different specifications for each market. Moreover, a special version will be sold in India.

Dr. Vahland also revealed that Skoda “will present a new model every six months over the next two or three years.” The company’s plan is to expand its operation, in a move it calls “model offensive”, and reach 1.5 million worldwide sales by 2018.

In 2013, the Yeti compact SUV will be launched in China, where it will also be produced. In addition, Skoda, in cooperation with Shanghai VW, will manufacture a new compact model for the local market, increasing the brand’s Chinese range to five models.

But Skoda’s expansion doesn’t stop here: in order to achieve its ambitious 2018 goal, it will increase production in Russia by manufacturing the Yeti locally with the help of VW Group's joint venture with GAZ.

Finally, the company is also increasing production capacity at its home factory in Mlada Boleslav, where it will add a third model line while, from late 2012, it will begin production of the twin-clutch DQ200 gearbox at its Vrchlabi plant.

PHOTO GALLERY

Skoda’s Hot Fabia RS 2000 Photo And Images Wörthersee

Not that the Skoda Fabia RS 2000 Concept needed any help to draw the attention of automotive fans at the Wörthersee show, but the Volkswagen Group was t enough to bring some very pretty faces (and bodies…) to the Czech firm’s stand. You can get a better look at the car and the girls in whichever order you prefer in our high resolution photo gallery right after the jump.

For those of you still with us, we’ll remind you that the Fabia RS 2000 Concept is an open-air version of the widened-up Fabia S2000 rally car sporting the same heavily modified 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels.

If you managed to keep your eyes of the girls, you may have noticed some of the changes Skoda made to the exterior including the side windows, the bespoke cover behind the rear headrests and the black boot lid spoiler.

The concept’s interior was crafted after the normal Fabia RS (vRS in the UK) and features a set of bucket sports seats up front and more carbon fiber accents than a NASA parts cupboard.

PHOTO GALLERY

Skoda Fabia GreenLine 2,006 km / 1,246 Miles on a Single Tank of Fuel

We're not sure if you know this, but there's a world champion in economy driving out there and his name is Gerhard Plattner. He's the kind of guy you'd want as a driver on your gas-guzzling car now that oil prices have hit the roof.

However, the Austrian champ has better things to do, like driving a Skoda Fabia GreenLine from Austria to Denmark and back on a single 45-liter (11.9 gallons US or 9.9 gallons UK) tank of diesel fuel. He covered a distance of 2,006 kilometers in a Skoda Fabia GreenLine without ever having to refuel the eco-friendly diesel car.

Plattner started his journey on May 10 in Reutte, Austria, reached Bov in Denmark and drove all the way back, travelling most of the distance on motorways. The 1.2-liter diesel engined Skoda averaged just 2.2 liters/100 km, which is equal to 106.4 mpg US and 127.8 mpg UK, on the 2,006-kilometer long journey. For the record, the official average fuel consumption of the Fabia GreenLine is 3.4 liters/100 km (69.2 mpg US or 83.1 mpg UK).

The refueling of the car, as well as Plattner's entire trip, were supervised by International Police Motor Corporation (IPMC) that also sealed the tank before the start of the challenge.

So how did he do it? We don't know, otherwise we would have been world champions in economy driving. And Plattner for sure is not willing to disclose his secrets. Here's all he had to say about this:

“With a fuel consumption well below the specified norm, I want to show that besides the car manufacturers, every driver can contribute to further reduce this environmental pollution. It already starts with small details such as the proper tire pressure." If only that was enough...

PHOTO GALLERY

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

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

Thursday, January 13, 2011 | Categories | Geneva Motor Show, New Cars, Skoda, Skoda Fabia, VW |

4 Comments

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

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

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."

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________