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ŠKODA’s oldest exhibit in the exhibition halls at Porte de Versailles, a replica of the SLAVIA bicycle from 1896, represents the beginnings of the now global company. ŠKODA AUTO’s 125-year journey started in 1895. That year, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, the company’s founding fathers, began their business repairing bicycles. They soon started producing their own bicycle models under the brand name SLAVIA. The faithful replica of the famous model from 1896 being exhibited at the Rétromobile rolled into the spotlight last year: As part of the ‘L’Etape du Tour’, where amateur cyclists can compete in an original stage of the Tour de France, the Prague classic bike fan Vladimír Vidim ascended the 2,365-metre mountain stage on the SLAVIA. While the racing bikes at the Tour de France, of which ŠKODA is the official main sponsor and vehicle partner, are true lightweights, the SLAVIA weighs in at almost twice as much as today’s racing machines at 18 kilograms. It has only one gear and has neither a freewheel nor brakes – so the riders had to rely on the strength of their legs even downhill. The video of the mountain stage with the SLAVIA bike can be found on the ŠKODA Storyboard.

As early as 1901, the up-and-coming company from Mladá Boleslav was also involved in motorsport. The Laurin & Klement BSC is one of the most successful early racers. The sports car, of which only twelve were built, won the Paris – Berlin race in 1908, among others. ŠKODA is exhibiting the only surviving copy at the Rétromobile. The engine number 5635 confirms the originality of this unique vehicle, which rolled out of the factory on 12 July 1908. Following an extensive restoration, it is now part of the ŠKODA Museum in Mladá Boleslav. The Voiturette sports car is powered by a water-cooled, in-line two-cylinder engine with an output of 12 hp (8.8 kW), which it draws from a displacement of 1,399 cm³. The two-seater reaches a top speed of 75 km/h.

Only two ŠKODA Sport were made in Mladá Boleslav in 1949. The model is based on the successful ŠKODA 1101 ‘TUDOR’. In June 1950, the driver duo Václav Bobek and Jaroslav Netušil headed to the start line of the legendary 24-hour race in France in that car. After a promising start and 13 hours of driving, a tiny component in the engine malfunctioned, causing the pair to drop out. Due to the worsening global political situation, that was the last time the ŠKODA factory team took part in Le Mans for years to come. The ŠKODA Sport from a private collection exhibited in Paris took part in more than 70 motorsport events between 1949 and 1962. This year, the ŠKODA Sport returns to the famous race track on the Sarthe at the Le Mans Classic 2020.

The brand’s bestseller, the OCTAVIA, which has been built since 1959, represents ŠKODA’s successful series production at Rétromobile. The ŠKODA Museum is sending a 1960 model produced in the standard two-door version with a 1,089 cm³ engine and 40 hp (29 kW) output to Paris. That year, ŠKODA also expanded the model range to include the first OCTAVIA COMBI. The OCTAVIA model family and the convertible FELICIA derived from it were exported to several dozen countries around the world. Celebrating a winning streak in the <1,300 cm³ class at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1961, 1962 and 1963, the OCTAVIA TS also made its way into the annals of motorsport.

While the first four exhibits at Rétromobile highlight the diverse tradition of the car manufacturer from Mladá Boleslav, the fifth exhibit points to the future: In 2017, ŠKODA presented the VISION E concept study. The 4,645 mm long ŠKODA VISION E has an extremely spacious interior with four swivel seats and rear doors hinged at the back, making it easier to get in. Two electric motors with a total output of 225 kW (306 hp) drive all four wheels, accelerating the model to a top speed of 180 km/h. The powerful lithium-ion battery and optimal recuperation enable a range of up to 500 kilometres.

The 45th run of the Rétromobile will take place from 5 to 9 February 2020 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. In a space covering 72,000 square metres, 620 exhibitors – including 120 brand clubs – will be showing more than 1,000 classic vehicles as well as parts, accessories and services.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

For over 45 years, ŠKODA has enjoyed success on rally routes and race tracks courtesy of its RS family, which over the past couple of decades has also been adding a touch of sensible sportiness to the road via the RS production models. The history of the RS letter combination goes back to 1974, when the manufacturer first used it as a shorthand for “Rally Sport” in the model designations of the ŠKODA 180 RS and 200 RS rally prototypes built at the time. Since then, and in no small part due to the considerable achievements of the ŠKODA 130 RS in the 70s and 80s, this dynamic acronym has achieved legendary status and become synonymous with motor racing. Since the year 2000, RS production models – consistently designed for outstanding performance – have added to this success story, with a model range that has comprised OCTAVIA RS, FABIA RS and KODIAQ RS variants.

Milestone: ŠKODA 130 RS
After successful tests with the 180 RS and 200 RS rally prototypes, 1975 sees ŠKODA present a car designed for regular use on the race track, in the shape of the ŠKODA 130 RS. Its consistent lightweight construction, with aluminium body components (roof and door outer panels) and glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) parts (wings and bonnet), ensures that the successful two-door coupé based on the ŠKODA 110 R production model weighs only 720 kilos. The rear-wheel-drive race car has a 1.3-litre engine delivering 140 PS and garners numerous victories on the international rally circuit and on the race track until 1983. In 1977 the 130 RS wins the first two places in its class at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally and also takes top place at the Acropolis Rally. On the race track, it becomes the overall winner at the 1981 European Touring Car Championship.

Star production model: the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS
In the year 2000, ŠKODA enters the World Rally Championship with its OCTAVIA WRC, while simultaneously introducing the RS letter combination for a production model. From then on, the RS moniker identifies a model series’ performance variant, a car that perfectly combines driving pleasure with the traditional pragmatic benefits of a ŠKODA. Launched twenty years ago, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS is the first model of a product family destined for success, with a 1.8-litre turbo engine delivering an exhilarating 132 kW (180 PS) of power. Offered first as a saloon and a year later also as a COMBI estate, this model is manufactured until 2005, reaching a production total of over 17,600 units. The second-generation OCTAVIA RS can be ordered with a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine providing 147 kW (200 PS) as well as, for the first time, a diesel engine: the 2.0 TDI has an output of 125 kW (170 PS), and all model variants are once again available in saloon and COMBI estate format. And with over 87,800 vehicles rolling off the production line, the OCTAVIA RS hits the overall production mark of 100,000 vehicles before its second generation comes to a close.

The third-generation OCTAVIA launched in 2013 is even more successful and introduces the continuous reflective red strip at the rear that has since become a hallmark of all RS models. The 2.0 TSI is launched with an output of 162 kW (220 PS), while the 2.0 TDI now delivers 135 kW (184 PS) and can for the first time also be ordered with all-wheel drive. Later on, the petrol engine produces 169 kW (230 PS) and a remarkable 180 kW (245 PS) in the OCTAVIA RS 245. As usual, the third generation is available both as a saloon and a COMBI estate and becomes a big hit with the brand’s fans. In Germany, Britain and Switzerland, the RS models achieve a share of over 20 per cent of sales within the OCTAVIA model series. Overall production figures for the third-generation ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS clock in at 172,000 units.

A new addition to the family: the ŠKODA FABIA RS
The year 2003 sees ŠKODA expand the RS family with the new FABIA RS. It is introduced at the Geneva Motor Show and serves as the basis for the new FABIA WRC rally car presented at the same time. The FABIA RS is the only FABIA to use the 1.9 TDI engine, which delivers 96 kW (130 PS) and combines excellent performance with a fuel consumption of just 5.6 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. This car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and has a top speed of 204 km/h. 2010 welcomes the arrival of the second-generation FABIA’s RS variant, powered by a 132-kW (180-PS) 1.4-litre petrol engine featuring both a turbocharger and a supercharger as well as a seven-speed DSG. For the first time, the FABIA RS is also available as a COMBI estate.

Record holder: the ŠKODA KODIAQ RS
The KODIAQ RS launched in 2018 is the first SUV to join the RS family, establishing its sporty credentials with a 9:29.84-minute lap record for seven-seater SUVs on the Nürburgring race track’s legendary 20.832-kilometre North Loop. This car’s 2.0 TDI has an output of 176 kW (240 PS) and delivers a winning combination of performance and sustainability. The Dynamic Sound Boost provides the exhilarating acoustic backdrop for the most powerful KODIAQ.

To be continued: the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS iV
It won’t be long now before the fourth-generation ŠKODA OCTAVIA will add the next chapter to the successful history of the RS family. The OCTAVIA RS iV will be the first ŠKODA performance model to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It will have its premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, which runs from 3 to 15 March 2020.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Intelligent voice assistants, such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa, are becoming increasingly popular and make everyday life easier. ŠKODA has taken this into account with ŠKODA Connect Amazon Skill and the new Google Home ŠKODA Connect Action and extended new functions. With both voice assistants, the current parking location and vehicle data can be accessed easily and conveniently from home via ŠKODA Connect.

Remote vehicle unlocking and status query via Google Home
With the first version of the new Google Home ŠKODA Connect Action, it will initially be possible to access information and control the vehicle remotely in English – other languages will be available soon. The voice assistant can, for example, communicate the vehicle and engine type as well as the current vehicle status and submit a vehicle status report. Google Home can inform users of the oil level and the next dates for an oil change and inspection, as well as the current fuel level and driving range. Driving data such as distance travelled, average fuel consumption and speed and mileage can be accessed, as well as the last parking location. The voice assistant can also advise whether all the windows and doors are closed, the lights are off and the ŠKODA vehicle is locked.

New languages for Alexa Skill and new functions for voice assistants
After updating to the latest version, the voice assistant ŠKODA Connect Alexa Skill, which was introduced in 2018, now understands questions in five languages in all ŠKODA models: in addition to English, French and German, it can now also communicate in Spanish and Italian. In the all-electric ŠKODA CITIGOᵉ iV and the ŠKODA SUPERB iV with plug-in hybrid drive, voice assistants can be used to query the current status of the lithium-ion battery as well as the charge level and the corresponding electrical range. The air conditioning or heating can also be controlled by voice command before a journey. In addition, charging can be started or stopped remotely.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

ŠKODA AUTO CEO Bernhard Maier emphasises: “ŠKODA AUTO is one of the world’s five oldest automobile manufacturers still active today. The courage and ingenuity of the two founders, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, are the cornerstone of this unique success story and at the same time an obligation and incentive to lead the company towards a prosperous future. This is precisely what we are doing through our Strategy 2025, transforming ŠKODA AUTO from a car manufacturer into a ‘Simply Clever Company for the best mobility solutions’.”

In pursuing this goal, ŠKODA AUTO is continuing along its path towards electromobility in 2020, presenting the series-production version of the VISION iV in the first half of the year. The 125th anniversary of the company’s founding thus also marks the beginning of a new era for the manufacturer: the all-electric SUV is the brand’s first vehicle to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electric Platform (MEB). As part of its ongoing product campaign, ŠKODA will be launching 30 new models from 2019 to the end of 2022, more than ten of which will be partially or fully electric.

The company founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement laid the foundations for ŠKODA’s rise to become an internationally successful car manufacturer in December 1895: the repair and production of bicycles began in the central Bohemian town of Mladá Boleslav. The company named after them,

Laurin & Klement (L&K), would soon offer numerous two and three-wheelers in several dozen versions, and the production of motorcycles started in 1899. The technically innovative models soon gained in popularity for example in England, one of the most demanding export markets.

The first Laurin & Klement automobile, the Voiturette A, made its debut as early as 1905. It quickly proved to be a high-quality everyday vehicle with an excellent price-performance ratio. L&K comprehensively expanded its model range and soon also offered high-performance sports and commercial vehicles that would win over drivers around the world. One hundred fifteen years later, the automobile manufacturer is active in more than 100 markets, delivering 1.24 million vehicles to customers worldwide every year.

The basis for the further development of this success story was the 1925 merger of Laurin & Klement and the mechanical engineering group Škoda, which secured the necessary capital for expansion. Since then, the winged arrow has been featured in the brand logo of the vehicles from Mladá Boleslav.

ŠKODA AUTO is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020 with numerous activities, campaigns and events for the company’s employees, fans of the brand and automotive enthusiasts. For example, historically significant models will be taking part in driving events in China and India as well as other international markets. A special concert by the world-renowned Czech Philharmonic will be a highlight in the year of festivities. Also, for this anniversary year, ŠKODA is launching an extensive marketing and communication campaign on all the brand’s social networks and the company’s website, ŠKODA Storyboard, under the slogan ‘Driving inventivenes since 1895’.

Throughout the company’s history, the Czech and international production sites have built many historically significant ŠKODA models, some of which will be celebrating the anniversary of their world premieres or market launches in 2020: for example, 85 years ago, in 1935, ŠKODA showcased the fascinating ŠKODA 935 Dynamic with its streamlined body.

Sixty years ago, in September 1960, ŠKODA presented the first ŠKODA OCTAVIA COMBI at the International Engineering Fair in Brno, and the elegant 2+2 coupé ŠKODA 110 R made its debut in 1970. The 70th anniversary of factory crew´s 1950 participation in the 24-hour Le Mans in a ŠKODA Sport commemorates ŠKODA AUTO’s long tradition in motorsport.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com