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Vrchlabí plant was founded in 1864, ŠKODA location is since 1946.

The ŠKODA Vrchlabí plant has been part of ŠKODA’s production network for 70 years. The rapid and successful 2012 transformation of the site for the pioneering production of automated dual-clutch transmissions (DQ 200) is an intrinsic part of ŠKODA’s long-term investment programme. The gearboxes produced there are used in ŠKODA automobiles and other Volkswagen Group vehicles.

“Operating the ŠKODA site in Vrchlabí for 70 years underscores the great tradition of the Czech automotive industry,” says Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for production and logistics. “The modern dual-clutch transmission DQ 200, produced by the local ŠKODA team, is of great strategic importance to the entire Volkswagen Group.”

The ŠKODA plant in Vrchlabí builds on the success of the company Petera & Sons. It was originally a saddlery, later vehicles, including luxury carriages and sleighs were produced there. Founded in 1864 by Ignatz Theodor Petera, the company produced the first automobile bodies in 1908. Three years later the factory received a prestigious commission from Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef I.

ŠKODA cars have been rolling off the production lines at Vrchlabí since 1946. In the same year, the Czechoslovak car-body factory was nationalized and integrated into the company AZNP. The employees played a decisive role in developing the special commercial-vehicle versions of the successful ŠKODA 1101 ‘Tudor’ series. The then modern production line also produced the open-top models and the so-called STWs - the predecessor of today's estate body version. Until 1981, special car bodies based on the ŠKODA 1200, 1201, 1202 and 1203 series were manufactured at Vrchlabí. These vehicles were superseded by the ŠKODA OCTAVIA (ŠKODA 105/120, FAVORIT, FORMAN, FELICIA, FELICIA COMBI, FELICIA FUN) and ŠKODA OCTAVIA (SKD) for export to Poland.

The Vrchlabí site was transformed from an automotive factory to a highly advanced component-production plant in 2012. Within 18 months, a new factory building had been erected and the existing production halls modernized. For the rapid preparation of the DQ 200 production and the dynamic development of the site, the Vrchlabí plant was awarded ‘Factory of the Year’ last year. In corporation with the Volkswagen Group, ŠKODA has so far invested around 250 million euros for DQ 200 production in the reconstruction of the production halls, technical equipment, the gear-production training centre, and logistics. The Vrchlabí plant has evolved into a high-tech location in recent years.

ŠKODA’s Vrchlabí plant is one of the most important employers in the Hradec Králové region with its 1,000 employees. The daily production capacity was expanded to 2,000 direct-shift transmissions this year. To date, around 1.4 million DQ 200 transmissions have been manufactured at this location. These are used in ŠKODA cars and other Volkswagen Group vehicles.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

Just weeks after introducing the extensively modernized ŠKODA OCTAVIA, the Czech automobile manufacturer presents the top model in the series – the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS.

The new front section, modified rear and sporty interior Ambient highlight its dynamic character. The upgraded ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS is available as a saloon and estate. Both body styles have two four-cylinder engines to choose from. While the 2.0 TDI diesel engine has the same 135 kW (184 hp) output as previously, the performance of the 2.0 TSI petrol engine has increased by 7 kW (10 hp) to 169 kW (230 hp), making it the strongest and fastest series-production model in the history of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA. New premium technologies supporting infotainment, connectivity and driver assistance systems emphasise the exceptional position of the compact sports car in its segment.

Dynamic design
The appearance of the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS accentuates the extensively redeveloped design of the series in a particularly sporty and emotional way: The new front section with a wider radiator grille, which has been extended with additional headlamps featuring a crystalline look, and the even wider air intakes with honeycomb structure in the redesigned bumpers are masculine and dynamic. The four full-LED headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), as well as the LED side-mounted headlights integrated into the bumper shape the new front end. At the rear, the saloon’s spoiler and the estate’s roof spoiler set independent accents.

The rear is dominated by a powerful black diffuser element and broad red reflector lamp above. These elements are unmistakable characteristics of the upgraded ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS. In addition, the model now features LED-technology license plate illumination and taillights in the classic C-design as standard.

The interior of the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS is characterized by the sporty black interior. The RS-Sport seats provide plenty of lateral support thanks to high sides and integrated headrests. In addition to the leather/fabric combination, the sports seats are now also available in an Alcantara version. The multi-function sports steering wheel (for DSG gearbox with shift paddles) has a perforated leather crown. Ambient lighting comes as standard. The recesses of the door handles are illuminated, the pedals shine in an aluminium finish, and the entry panels bear the RS logo. ŠKODA-typical ‘Simply-Clever’ solutions include an umbrella under the passenger seat and a removable LED lamp in the boot of the estate.

Chassis, technology, engines
The 15 mm lower sports suspension and the rear track, 30 mm wider than the predecessor, as well as the red brake callipers underline the dynamic character of the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS. 17-inch wheels are available as standard, while 18- or 19-inch wheels are available as an option. On request, 19-inch light-alloy wheels are available in silver. Progressive steering, Performance Mode Select with Performance Sound Generator (option), the stability program ESC with electronic cross barrier XDS+ and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) add to the intensive driving pleasure of the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS. DCC allows the driver to choose between Comfort, Normal or Sport modes.

The new engine of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS 2.0 TSI provides 169 kW (230 hp) and has a maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,500 to 4,600 rpm. The front-wheel drive sports model sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The model’s top speed is 250 km/h. The combined fuel consumption is 6.5 litres per 100 km (149 g CO2/km; all values: saloon with manual transmission). As standard, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS 2.0 TSI is equipped with a manual 6-speed manual gearbox, optionally with a 6-speed DSG.

In the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS 2.0 TDI, a diesel engine with an output of 135 kW (184 hp) and a maximum torque of 380 Nm from 1,750 rpm ensures acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 232 km/h. The combined fuel consumption is 4.5 l/100 km (119 g CO2/km, all values: saloon with manual transmission). The ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS 2.0 TDI is available either with front-wheel drive (manual or 6-speed DSG) or 4×4-wheel drive and 6-speed DSG.

Infotainment and ŠKODA Connect
As all versions in the series, the current ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS features the latest generation of infotainment systems. The capacitive touch displays are designed in glass (except for the series music system Swing). The top version is the navigation system Columbus with a 9.2-inch monitor, WLAN hotspot and optional LTE module.

Driver assistance systems
The wide range of driver assistance systems in ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS sets new standards in the compact class. New features include Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect, which warns the driver of vehicles in the blind spot, and Rear Traffic Alert, which monitors side and rear traffic when leaving a parking space. The Crew Protect Assist closes windows and sunroofs in the event of an imminent accident, tightens driver and passenger seatbelts and works in conjunction with the improved Front Assist including city emergency braking and predictive pedestrian protection.

History
The abbreviation RS was first used for racing cars in 1974, and has been used for the top sporty versions in the ŠKODA model range since the year 2000. To date, more than 200,000 ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS models have been sold worldwide, of which 100,000 units of the third generation that was launched in 2013.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

In 1966, construction of the ŠKODA TREKKA lightweight off-road vehicle began in New Zealand. Its chassis was based on the ŠKODA OCTAVIA.

The ancestor of the ŠKODA SUV models is celebrating a major birthday: exactly 50 years ago, on 2 December 1966, production of the TREKKA model began in the town of Otahuhu, New Zealand. By 1972, almost three thousand of the lightweight off-road cars had been manufactured.

“ŠKODA has always striven for solutions that are tailored for individual markets,” said Andrea Frydlová, Manager of the ŠKODA Museum in Mladá Boleslav. “The all-terrain TREKKA, which was produced in collaboration with the New Zealand importer and local businesses, is a prime example of this philosophy.”

The vehicle manufacturer from Mladá Boleslav had developed the New Zealand market early on: over 100 years ago, Laurin & Klement cars were already being exported to New Zealand.

The ŠKODA cars delivered from Czechoslovakia in a disassembled state (CKD – completely knocked down) for customs and tax reasons were imported by the company Motor Industries International based in Otahuhu since 1956. The ŠKODA TREKKA was developed in a collaboration between several dozen local businesses and representatives of the plant in Mladá Boleslav to be a robust, compact, everyday car for the local farmers, tradespeople and merchants.

In 1965 and 1966, several designs and prototypes were created, which bore the hallmarks of Josef Velebný, ŠKODA’s former Head of Bodywork Development, and New Zealand designer George Taylor. The chassis, which was based on the ŠKODA OCTAVIA, came from Mladá Boleslav along with the rigid central tubular frame and independent suspension. Its special features were the wheelbase, which was shortened from 2,389 mm to 2,165 mm, and the axle ratio, which was changed from 4.78 to 5.25. Tyres with dimensions of 5.90 x 15” contributed to the 190-mm ground clearance; there was also an optional differential lock that improved the off-road capability of the rear-wheel-drive TREKKA.

The front, longitudinally mounted OHV four-cylinder engine with a cylinder capacity of 1,221 cm3 achieved 34 kW (47 PS) at 4,500 rpm and its torque reached 87 Nm at 3,000 rpm. With its synchronised four-speed gearbox, the ŠKODA TREKKA had a top speed of 105 to 110 km/h. Its consumption of approximately 11 l per 100 km formed the basis of its relatively low running cost.

Customers could choose from several variants: a three-door pickup with between two and eight seats, a canvas soft-top, a fixed plastic hardtop, an estate model (STW) and a beach variant. The TREKKA was 3,590 mm long, 1,600 mm wide and between 1,785 and 2,040 mm high. It weighed between 920 and 980 kg, and could carry loads of up to 450-500 kg.

From 1966 to 1972, nearly 3,000 TREKKAs were made, probably the first car designed and built in New Zealand. Export markets included Australia, Fiji, Samoa and Vietnam. ŠKODA also applied a similar concept in Pakistan, where production of the SKOPAK (ŠKODA Pakistan) lightweight off-road car commenced in May 1970. The Czech car manufacturer still successfully sells its models in New Zealand today, just as in Australia and over 100 other international markets.

Do you know that ŠKODA AUTO...
› is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in the Czech town of Mladá Boleslav in 1895 – during the pioneering days of the automobile. Today, the company’s headquarters remain in Mladá Boleslav.
› currently offers the following model series: CITIGO, FABIA, RAPID, OCTAVIA, YETI as well as the KODIAQ and SUPERB.
› in 2015, delivered more than 1 million vehicles to customers worldwide.
› has been part of Volkswagen Group, one of the most globally successful automotive groups since 1991. ŠKODA, in association with the Group, independently manufactures and develops vehicles as well as components such as engines and gear transmissions.
› operates at three locations in the Czech Republic; produces in China, Russia, Slovakia and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan with local partners.
› employs over 26,600 people globally and is active in more than 100 markets.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

ŠKODA has comprehensively upgraded their bestseller, equipping it with new technologies. New services connect the ŠKODA OCTAVIA closely to the owner, the driving is more comfortable and safer.

ŠKODA has equipped their bestseller with a new range of connectivity services: mobile online services under the label ŠKODA Connect. These are divided into two categories: Infotainment online services for the navigation systems Amundsen and Columbus are used for information and navigation; Care Connect services provide assistance and remote access to the car, regardless of the infotainment system.

One particularly useful feature of Infotainment Online is Online Traffic Information, which indicates the real-time flow of traffic along the selected route and suggests useful alternative routes in case of traffic jams. The services also provide customized information on fuel prices, parking information, news and weather information online. Via the ŠKODA Connect portal, routes, destinations and points of interest can be transferred directly from the computer to the navigation system. Especially for the system Columbus, there are other services, including Google Earth™ and Google Street View™. The Online Map Update service regularly updates to the latest maps available.

Among the Care Connect services, the emergency call (eCall) is one of the most important. If a restraint system is triggered after an accident, an emergency call centre is alerted. In addition, there is a notification function for minor accidents, as well as a breakdown call service. Service Scheduling is also included in the Proactive Services. Here the owner is contacted by the dealer before the vehicle’s service is due in order to arrange a convenient and timely appointment.

The new ŠKODA Connect app on the smartphone also supports more Care Connect services; one particularly interesting feature is the new remote services. The Vehicle status service, for example, informs you about the status of the vehicle's lighting, or open or closed doors. The Parking-position function shows the location of the vehicle. Honk & Flash makes it easier to find for the vehicle by sounding the horn and activating the hazard lights. Area Notification and Speed Notification inform the owner if the vehicle is moved without authorization.

The driver assistance systems in the comprehensively upgraded ŠKODA OCTAVIA go beyond compact-class standards. Some come from higher segments and complement the already very extensive range. The predictive pedestrian protection is specialized for city driving. In the range between 10 and 60 km/h, it triggers an emergency brake if a pedestrian dangerously steps out into oncoming traffic. The system is part of the optional Front Assist that includes city emergency braking function. Blind Spot Detect supports the driver when changing lanes with two radar sensors monitoring traffic at the rear. If a collision is imminent, a warning light is illuminated in the exterior mirror housing. Rear Traffic Alert assists when parallel parking or leaving a parking space; it detects oncoming vehicles very early.

Another innovation in the ŠKODA OCTAVIA is the optional trailer assist. Using the rotary switch for the exterior mirrors, the driver specifies the angle at which they want to reverse their trailer. When the driver then slowly accelerates, the system makes appropriate steering suggestions. Maneuvre Assist helps when reversing without a trailer, activating the brakes soon as it detects an obstacle behind it.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

ŠKODA’s new SUV voted best car for big families by British Top Gear Magazine.

Top rating from Top Gear: The British auto magazine awards the ŠKODA KODIAQ best car for big families. The Czech carmaker’s first large SUV impressed the panel with its high flexibility in everyday life, excellent price-performance ratio and as well as with its emotional design. The ŠKODA KODIAQ will be heading to customers in February 2017.

“Minimising stress is at the heart of the KODIAQ’s mission,” is the experts’ verdict. “That’s what its versatility is all about, because you never fear it won’t ably put its shoulder to any task family life throws at it: fetching of stuff and carrying of people, hauling or going mildly off-road or defeating slippery roads. It’s reassuring and safe, but it manages to avoid tedium.”

With up to seven seats, 24 driver assistance systems, more than 30 ‘Simply Clever’ solutions, a maximum trailer load of 2.5 tonnes and the largest boot in its class, the ŠKODA KODIAQ was a clear choice for the ‘best car for large families’ award. In addition to its high flexibility in everyday life, the Czech automaker’s latest model also stood out due to its excellent price-performance ratio. An additional plus point in the jury’s evaluation: the emotional design of the SUV. With the ŠKODA KODIAQ, the brand has transferred their expressive design language to the SUV segment for the first time. The distinctive interplay of elegant lines, sporty contours and a robust build symbolize protection and strength.

The latest model will be heading to the dealerships with all the brand’s strengths in early 2017. The amount of room is characteristic of ŠKODA: with a length of 4.70 meters, a width of 1.88 meters and a wheelbase of 2.79 meters, the brand’s engineers have maximized the interior space. This enables the vehicle to respond flexibly to various seating and cargo requirements – thanks also to the longitudinal and tilt-adjustable seats. In addition, the SUV scores with practical intelligence through numerous useful ‘Simply Clever’ solutions and innovative technologies, which would usually only be found in higher vehicle classes. ŠKODA is launching their broad SUV campaign with the brand’s first large SUV.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

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