SKODA CUSTOMERS WANT TO GET SPORTY
16 January 2006 - Skoda

The fact that Skoda attracted all time UK record sales last year of nearly 38,000 cars, an 8 per cent increase when the market fell 5 per cent, is good news.

But the fact that 10 per cent of their total sales were for their more sporty vRS models is very significant.

Now with the introduction from 23 January of their next vRS models, the Octavia Hatchback and Estate, Skoda will add another 3,000 sporty model sales to their 2006 total. Seventy per cent of Octavia vRS customers are expected to buy the Hatchback. The current Octavia range was introduced in 2004 and although they are technically classed in the same sector as similar versions of the VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus, due to their better interior space they compete for sales against the larger Vauxhall Vectra and the recently replaced VW Passat models.

The new high specification, high performance 149mph Octavia five-door hatchback is priced at £17,500 and the Estate at £18,350. Skoda says these are the most powerful and fastest road-going models launched in their 100-year history. Skoda also say their new vRS models offer ''more bangs per buck’ than any other car in its sector which includes the Golf GTI 5-Door on which the new Octavia vRS models are based. The Skoda versions enjoy 200bhp from the 2.0-litre FSI direct injection petrol engines; the Golf’s have 197bhp. Skoda say the Octavia is slightly longer as well so the interior space is better for five passengers and their luggage.

Currently Skoda have lots to talk about, record sales in the UK, nearly half a million sales worldwide in 2005, a string of award for their three model lines, the Fabia, Octavia and Superb, the highest UK customer loyalty retention figures in the industry and in 2005 they became the first manufacturer to achieve a top five position in the JD Power Customer satisfaction Survey for 10 consecutive years.

“Brand Director Chris Craft said, “Achieving these results in 2005, our centenary year and during the early stages of our new model programme, underscores the fact that Skoda not only has a past, it clearly is a brand of the future”.

Launching the new Octavia vRS models to the UK motoring media this week, Cathie Bell, head of Press and PR said, “We have added excitement to the brand with our vRS models. Customer feedback showed us we needed to offer more models with more performance and excitement but with value for money.”

“Real people in real life want from their cars, more value, more space and more performance and we also want our customers to love being seen in our products”.

Although private retail customers account for just over half of Skoda’s UK new car sales the sales in the company and business car sectors have increased rapidly as the Czech brand has established a new reputation for quality and well priced reliable products.

Skoda also confirmed they will be adding a compact MPV model to their range and a production version of the Yeti concept car will also be launched. Globally Skoda will start to build 30,000 cars annually in India and in 2007 they will have established a production facility in China.

Forget the music hall jokes about Skoda, under the parentage of VW and with a dedicated Czechoslovakian workforce producing quality, reliable and value for money products, Skoda are on the up.
Skoda UK let us loose with their latest ‘hot’ Octavia in Spain where at this time of year the roads are pretty quiet. The FSI petrol engine is already available for both Hatchback and Estate models with even a 4x4 version of the Estate offered for sale, so we know it well. However Skoda says there will be no 4x4 versions of the vRS models or for that matter none with the DSG paddle-shift semi auto sports gearbox because they would make the cars just too expensive.

The vRS models are all about refinement, good looks, performance and comfort without the drawbacks of an unrefined harsh ride and poor front wheel drive grip normally associated with sporting versions of standard production cars.

The Octavia Saloon, although based on the Golf 5-Door Hatchback, offers much more room due to the marginally longer wheelbase so in real life it is a class size above the Golf. It is more previous model Passat or Vauxhall Vectra so it will appeal as a family car. The load space benefits as well as the Hatchback is excellent with 560 litres of luggage room and the Estate has a cavernous maximum load capacity of 1,620 litres.

VRS means ‘victory Rally Sport’ say Skoda hinting at their rallying heritage. The two new Octavia vRS models have all the styling hints inside and out of a ‘sports’ model and the equipment levels and sports style seats are all in keeping with a sporting image.

The three particular areas the Octavia vRS scores in are; price which gives excellent value for money; the combination of a firm and compliant ride without being harsh and uncomfortable and finally a superb engine.

The price versus specification levels and really smart good looks speak for themselves.

The Skoda design engineers using motorsport experience have really done a good job tuning and upgrading, with different damper settings and larger diameter anti-roll bars, the performance of the suspension. Most impressive is the taught handling, the responsive steering, unlimited road grip and comfort of ride which is not harsh in the slightest. This really is a family car with sports performance.

The engine as we know from other Skoda and VW models is superb. It is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged, FSI direct injection petrol unit producing 200bhp and 280Nm of torque. Now the secret to Skoda’s use of this unit is the fact that maximum torque is available right from 1,800 to 5,000rpm so it is as flexible as a diesel to drive. Hard to believe but true. It is remarkably responsive so driving in town or enjoying the scenery or really getting your foot down for fast driving is seamless. The engine is ideally suited to the six-speed manual transmission.

Top speed is 149mph with a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds and the average fuel consumption is 35.8mpg. The low 190-g/km emissions are also tax friendly as well.

The Octavia vRS models shame many more expensive cars for the quality of its fit, finish
and refined performance.

MILESTONES. Skoda Octavia vRS Hatchback. Price: £17,500 (Estate £18,350). Engine: FSI 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged direct injection petrol, 200bhp, 280Nm of grunt. Performance: 149mph, 0-62mph 7.3 seconds, 35.8mpg, CO2, 190 g/km. Safety: 4-star Euro NCAP. Insurance group: 15. For: This car has to be taken seriously. Fine build quality, really useful size, good looks, remarkable engine performance with superb roadholding and ride comfort. Against: Absolutely nothing.

www.skoda-auto.com

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