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Since mid-2019, ŠKODA has been offering the third generation of its flagship as a rugged SCOUT version – the first SUPERB to be given this treatment. The manufacturer thus continues its tradition of offering SCOUT models, such as the OCTAVIA SCOUT, KODIAQ SCOUT and KAROQ SCOUT. The SUPERB SCOUT, available exclusively as an estate, focuses on off-road flair and it cuts a fine figure on rougher terrain thanks to rugged body enhancements, all-wheel drive as standard, and the Rough-Road package – which raises the ground clearance by 15 mm and provides underbody protection for the engine and undercarriage. Boasting the largest boot capacity in its segment, which ranges from 660 to 1,950 l, it can also transport bulky outdoor equipment such as mountain bikes or other sports equipment to more remote locations. In addition, with a towing capacity of 2,200 kg, the SUPERB SCOUT is ideally suited for towing boat and horse trailers, caravans, and more.

The advantages of all-wheel drive, even on dry roads
The SUPERB SCOUT’s all-wheel drive, which comes as standard, doesn’t just offer enormous advantages when travelling off the beaten track, such as on gravel, slush and snow-covered slopes. Driving the rear axle as well as the front axle provides increased traction and driving stability in many situations, even on dry tarmac. Should the front wheels lose traction under normal driving conditions, an electronically controlled fifth-generation hydraulic multi-plate clutch automatically transmits some of the drive torque to the rear wheels within milliseconds. This ensures that drive is maintained and that power is always distributed to where it is required without the driver needing to do anything. If necessary, up to 90 per cent of the power can be transmitted to the rear axle; up to 85 per cent can even be directed to a single wheel. An electronic control unit allows this automatic intervention to take place with even the smallest difference in speed between the axles. Information such as engine speed, the position of the accelerator pedal, wheel speed, steering angle and lateral as well as longitudinal acceleration are also recorded and processed. When coasting, at low load or when travelling normally in a straight line, power is predominantly transferred to the road via the front axle.

Rugged body enhancements and an interior boasting special decorative trims and upholstery
The ŠKODA SUPERB SCOUT’s striking adventurous look provides numerous visual highlights. In addition to rugged bumpers at the front and rear, it is characterised by aluminium-effect underbody protection as well as additional plastic panels that protect the wheel arches, side sills and the lower sections of the doors. The roof rails and side window trims are chrome-plated, while the wing mirrors shine in an aluminium look. The optional two-tone 18-inch Braga alloy wheels or the new two-tone 19-inch Manaslu alloys underline the car’s rugged appearance. The interior features typical SCOUT style: it is characterised by special wood-effect decorative trims, the seats are covered with a specific fabric with contrasting stitching or, as an option, a combination of Alcantara and leather. A very generous amount of space and great versatility make the SUPERB SCOUT just as suitable for a lifestyle and sports-oriented target group as it is for families, and it is also the perfect spacious long-distance vehicle for fleet customers.

Powerful yet efficient engines
The ŠKODA SUPERB SCOUT is available exclusively with either the model range’s most powerful diesel or petrol engine. The 2.0 TDI diesel engine delivers 140 kW (190 PS) and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The 2.0 TSI petrol engine boasts a power output of 200 kW (272 PS) and has a maximum torque of 350 Nm. In addition to all-wheel drive as standard, both variants come with a 7-speed DSG and are particularly efficient thanks to Stop/Start technology and brake energy recovery. An additional Off-Road mode in the Driving Mode Select menu supports driving on rougher terrain; adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is optional.

A tradition of SCOUT variants
There is a tradition of offering rugged SCOUT models with off-road flair at ŠKODA. In 2006, ŠKODA introduced its second-generation OCTAVIA with an adventurous look for the first time. Since then, the SCOUT models have been a permanent feature of the OCTAVIA range. In 2017, ŠKODA expanded its SCOUT family to include the SUV segment – initially with the KODIAQ, and followed a year later by the KAROQ SCOUT.

Full LED Matrix headlights especially popular with SCOUT customers
The optional full LED Matrix headlights are a particularly popular feature for owners of the ŠKODA SUPERB SCOUT. The intelligent system, which allows people to drive with the high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users, has so far been ordered for 93 per cent of all vehicles delivered. Other options that are proving particularly popular include the Alcantara/leather seat covers, which 84 per cent of all SCOUT customers go for, and the tow bar, which is fitted to 76 per cent of all ordered vehicles – unsurprising considering the car’s strengths as a towing vehicle. 87 per cent of all SCOUT drivers have also opted for the fuel-efficient 2.0 TDI, while 13 per cent chose the 2.0 TSI. Almost half of all SUPERB SCOUTs – 48 per cent to be precise – are ordered with the 19-inch Manaslu alloy wheels. The silver 18-inch Braga wheels that come as standard account for 27 per cent, while the remaining 25 per cent feature the anthracite version. The most popular colour for the ŠKODA SUPERB SCOUT is Lava Blue, followed by Moon White and Quartz Grey. The new metallic Tangerine Orange finish, in fourth place, is available exclusively for the SUPERB SCOUT.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Martin Soukup, Head of Strategic Product Planning at ŠKODA AUTO, explained, “Simply Clever features are important to our customers, which is why we select them according to special criteria. These solutions are needed by customers and should add real value for ŠKODA drivers. At the same time they must also be easy to use, work reliably, withstand stress tests, and meet our high safety standards.”

Simply Clever features have been a hallmark of modern-day ŠKODA models since 2001
The Simply Clever concept dates back to the first-generation SUPERB introduced in 2001. It provided the debut for the umbrella, which was available as standard or an option. The breakthrough followed when the ROOMSTER concept car was introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt in 2003. Smart features such as sliding rear seats and swivel front seats were particularly well-received. The enthusiastic response to the equally unconventional yet practical ideas encourages ŠKODA to come up with more and more new intelligent solutions.

To date, ŠKODA has implemented more than 60 Simply Clever features that make drivers’ lives easier. And ingenuity continues to drive the design engineers. It is often the tiny details that prove incredibly helpful and practical in everyday life: the umbrella in the driver’s door, the ice scraper in the fuel filler flap – now including a tyre tread depth gauge – and the ticket holder on the A-pillar have become real ŠKODA classics.

The KAMIQ, for example, presents yet another ingenious idea. It is the first model in its segment to be available with automatic door-edge protection, which protects the car itself as well as vehicles parked next to it from dents and scratches when opening the doors. The multifunctional shelf under the boot cover is equally very handy. It is the perfect place to dry out an umbrella, and also allows clothes or other items to be neatly stored separately.

ŠKODA provides intelligent solutions when it comes to connectivity too. Smartphones and tablets can be paired with the vehicle wirelessly or via modern USB-C sockets from all seats. A particularly well thought-out solution is the multimedia cradle for the centre console, which is a handy place for a smartphone, car park ticket, some coins and keys. The waste bin with lid in the door trim is extremely helpful too. This clever feature ensures the interior remains clean and tidy at all times. The boot can also be kept tidy with ease thanks to the compartment under the false boot floor. This enables smaller items and equipment that are not constantly needed to be stowed out of sight. Other current examples of typical Simply Clever features include the storage compartments for high-vis vests, the bungee cord in the door trim, the snow brush stored in the umbrella compartment in the driver’s door, the retractable parcel shelf, the card holder in the Jumbo Box and the removable LED torch in the boot.

Practical and easy to use
All of these examples reflect ŠKODA’s philosophy that every Simply Clever solution must be practical and easy to use. In other words, they must be functional features that make life easier, whilst being both simple and affordable. The brand’s considerations are always centred around the driver and their needs. Many solutions may seem surprisingly simple, but the journey from the initial idea to the finished product can be a long and sometimes arduous one. After all, every feature has to pass numerous endurance and stress tests to ensure they work reliably and safely throughout the lifetime of the car. And the funnel integrated into the lid of the windscreen washer tank is no exception. This innovative feature has impressed to such an extent that ŠKODA is now fitting all vehicles with this intelligent detail and offering it as a ŠKODA Genuine Accessory for retrofitting.

Fourth time’s the charm
Martina Tomanová from Strategic Product Planning at ŠKODA AUTO described how an initial idea was transformed into such a smart feature: “Many drivers had experienced it and it wasn’t unknown to us either: when refilling the windscreen washer tank, some of the liquid would miss and drip through the engine compartment onto the ground. This is due to screenwash and antifreeze bottles having a wide neck or the inlet on the car’s container being positioned too low. We discussed numerous options and examined various technical variants to solve the problem, before eventually coming up with the optimal solution. The result is now well-known: an innovative lid that turns into a funnel in an instant, making it easier to refill the windscreen washer tank.” An article on the development of the Simply Clever Funnel can be found on the ŠKODA Storyboard.

Simply Clever solutions date back to the 1920s
In 1925, directly following the involvement of the Pilsen-based engineering company at Laurin & Klement, the LAURIN & KLEMENT / ŠKODA 110 was launched, and the car demonstrated the brand’s ingenuity even back then. This is because the manufacturer used a uniform ladder-frame chassis with a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. which was available to customers in four versions with an enclosed body and one roadster version. In addition to these ŠKODA also offered the model as an open-top phaeton including up to three rows of seats, the middle row of which could be folded down to give the rear passengers more legroom. In addition, the windscreen could be folded forward to allow for a cooling breeze on hot days. There was no need to empty the boot to get to the spare wheel in the event of a puncture – two spare wheels were mounted at the front, one on either side of the bonnet. With its loading floor measuring 1,750 × 1,580 mm and 400 mm deep as well as a payload of 500 kg, the two-seater commercial vehicle version was even more practical. The car could be quickly transformed into a four-seater, therefore also making it perfect for family outings at the weekend.

ŠKODA introduced the POPULAR in 1934. It boasted a central tubular frame and transaxle arrangement (front-mounted engine, gearbox at the rear) to give the driver and front passenger more legroom. Having originally developed it for the police and customs, the manufacturer would soon also offer the POPULAR with special winter equipment. Removable skis under the front wheels and snow chains on the powered rear axle ensured that the car stayed on track and made good progress, even on snowy mountain roads.

Interview with Martin Soukup, Head of Strategic Product Planning at ŠKODA AUTO, on Simply Clever

Mr Soukup, where do all the ŠKODA Simply Clever ideas actually come from?
Martin Soukup: We meticulously analyse the satisfaction surveys completed by our existing and potential customers. This allows us to find out which features would be useful to them. Then, individual teams of experts ‘live’ the Simply Clever concept to come up with specific suggestions on how to make automotive life even easier. Many suggestions come from our staff too. After all, almost all of us drive cars and we seek solutions that make driving more comfortable and convenient for everyone.

What happens to all the ideas and suggestions you receive?
Soukup: We start by checking whether the ideas are in line with our brand values. This means that a suggestion must address customer needs. Then, the proposed solution must be truly beneficial for the driver and passengers, i.e. it must serve a useful purpose. Finally, the new feature must be easy to use and work reliably. Before a Simply Clever idea actually goes into production, it has to undergo numerous endurance and stress tests. And if it meets our high safety standards too, there is nothing to prevent it from being introduced into production.

How long does all of this take, and how many members of staff are involved in the implementation process?
Soukup: That varies. Which department deals with it depends on whether it is a convenience or comfort feature in the interior or a detail under the bonnet, for example. In any case, we work together with colleagues from the innovation centre and other technical departments who evaluate and assess proposed features with intention of potentially introducing them into serial production. Finally, Simply Clever features undergo rigorous endurance and stress tests. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. We aim to keep coming up with new, clever ideas and therefore enable the pioneering spirit of our founding fathers to live on.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Its black ŠKODA grille, dynamic front apron with black Air Curtains and a rear apron featuring Aero Flaps and a matching rear diffuser in sporty black instantly identify the all-new OCTAVIA RS iV as a member of the RS family. The black alloy wheel design reveals brake callipers finished in red; the saloon’s tailgate comes with a black RS rear spoiler, while the COMBI estate features a roof spoiler in body colour. In the predominantly black interior, colourful highlights are provided by contrasting stitching on the sports seats with integrated headrests and on the leather-covered three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel.

For the first time in an RS model, dynamic performance is ensured by a plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 1.4 TSI petrol engine and an 85-kW electric motor combine to deliver a system output of 180 kW (245 PS) and a maximum torque of 400 Nm, with CO2 emissions of around 30 g/km over the WLTP cycle (provisional data). Moreover, the OCTAVIA RS iV can cover up to 55 kilometres (WLTP) in all-electric mode, i.e. without generating any local emissions. A sports suspension with signature RS fine-tuning ensures dynamic handling.

Additional OCTAVIA model with hybrid technology
ŠKODA is complementing its Geneva presentation of the OCTAVIA RS iV by surrounding it with one more electrified version of its best-seller. The OCTAVIA iV also has a plug-in hybrid powertrain; its 1.4 TSI joins forces with an electric motor to provide a combined output of 150 kW (204 PS) and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. Available in conjunction with the Ambition and Style trim levels, this model version has a lithium-ion high-voltage battery with a capacity of 37 Ah and an energy content of 13 kWh. Like the RS iV, it can be conveniently charged at home from a 230-volt mains socket or a wallbox.

Debut of the first SCOUTLINE version of a ŠKODA SUV
Another ŠKODA to have its motor show premiere in Geneva is the KAMIQ SCOUTLINE. This car marks the first time ŠKODA is releasing a SCOUTLINE version of an SUV. Features such as matt black wheel arch covers and rugged silver bodywork elements lend this city SUV a daredevil look which is emphasised by large alloy wheels with a diameter of 17 or 18 inches. The KAMIQ SCOUTLINE will be available with any engine from this model series, with outputs ranging from 66 kW (90 PS) to 110 kW (150 PS).

In the interior, the ŠKODA KAMIQ SCOUTLINE boasts a generous amount of space and exclusive decorative trims – with an ash-wood effect as standard and a dark brushed design available as an option – complemented by chrome-style air vents. The pedal covers feature an aluminium design. While the height-adjustable front seats come with special SCOUTLINE upholstery made of breathable ThermoFlux fabric and Suedia microfibre, the steering wheel, handbrake lever and gearshift lever have a leather finish. The LED ambient lighting illuminates the centre console, door storage compartments, door handles and footwells in white, red or orange. Moreover, the new KAMIQ SCOUTLINE is fitted with LED reading lights. Customers can opt for a black roof lining to round off the interior.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Production and Logistics, stressed, “The OCTAVIA is the heart of our brand. Having enjoyed success since the mid-90s, it has contributed significantly to transforming ŠKODA from a regional market leader into an internationally thriving carmaker that has now firmly established itself as a high-volume manufacturer. This milestone is therefore a very special event for us and is a great testament to the fantastic work of our colleagues in the Production and Logistics department.”

Featuring a generous amount of space and modern technology, the original OCTAVIA has been wowing customers since back in 1959. At the time, it was the eighth ŠKODA to feature the modern independent suspension for all wheels and also the Czech manufacturer’s eighth model since the Second World War. It was therefore given the name OCTAVIA – derived from ‘octo’, the Latin word for the number eight. In 12 years of production (saloon until 1964, estate until 1971), ŠKODA built approximately 400,000 units of the popular model.

A bestseller takes to the stage
At the ‘Mondial de l’Automobile’ in Paris in autumn 1996, ŠKODA presented the first generation of its modern-day OCTAVIA – the first ŠKODA in the lower mid-size car segment for decades. It was also the first model by the Czech manufacturer to be developed entirely under the umbrella of Volkswagen Group. The design and spaciousness of the saloon catered to the public’s taste and, in 1997, around 61,000 units rolled off the line. ŠKODA manufactured more than 117,500 the following year, almost doubling its production. By 2010, a total of 1,440,000 first-generation OCTAVIAs had been built – in the end in parallel with its successor.

ŠKODA began global production with the second-generation OCTAVIA
ŠKODA presented the second generation of the OCTAVIA to the global public at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2004. The car seamlessly continued the success story of its predecessor and impressed thanks to its timelessly elegant design and even more space in the interior. It had a larger boot and was also equipped with the latest technology. In addition to innovative petrol engines with direct injection, new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions were also available, including the direct-shift gearbox (DSG). A new multi-link rear axle ensured driving comfort, while safety was improved by ABS incl. Brake Assist, which came as standard in Europe, four airbags and new active headrests. ŠKODA built a total of approximately 2,500,000 second-generation OCTAVIAs.

Production of the OCTAVIA II at the Aurangabad plant in India began in 2005 and, in 2007, Shanghai Volkswagen (now SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co. Ltd.) started manufacturing the second-generation OCTAVIA for the Chinese market. The OCTAVIA has also been rolling off the line at Volkswagen Group’s Kaluga plant in Russia since 2009.

Debut for the third-generation OCTAVIA
ŠKODA introduced the third generation of its bestseller in 2012 and started making the third-generation OCTAVIA in Ukraine and Kazakhstan the following year. In February 2017, the manufacturer comprehensively revised the OCTAVIA and refined the image of the successful model. With the introduction of its ŠKODA Connect mobile online services, for the first time the OCTAVIA was able to offer a range of connectivity solutions that were as advanced as they were comprehensive. ŠKODA has built around 2,600,000 third-generation OCTAVIAs to date.

Fourth generation celebrated its world premiere on 11 November 2019
The fourth generation of the bestseller made its debut in Prague on 11 November 2019. The new OCTAVIA is more spacious, safer, better connected and more emotive than any before it. It is longer and wider than its predecessor, has an even larger boot and boasts even more emotive visual touches thanks to the new ŠKODA design language. The new interior concept combines an extraordinary amount of space and outstanding functionality with high-quality materials and clever details. At the same time, innovative connectivity and new assistance systems raise comfort and safety to an even higher level.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com