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."

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Skoda Introduces New 1.6 TDI to Superb Range

The VW Group's new 1.6 TDI turbo diesel is making its way to the options lists of the European market Skoda Superb saloon and Estate / Combi (station wagon) models, where it will replace the 1.9 TDI.

While the smaller displacement 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel unit produces the same output figures as the 1.9 TDI with 105-horsepower and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque, it promises to offer improved diesel mileage and lower CO2 emissions.

More specifically, combined fuel consumption has been improved by 6.9mpg UK to 45.6mpg UK (6.2lt/100km or 38mpg US) for the saloon, and 5.6mpg UK to 44.8mpg UK (6.3lt/100km or 37.3mpg US) for the Estate, while emissions have been reduced by 19g/km and 20g/km respectively.

In the UK, the 1.6 TDI CR comes with a five-speed manual gearbox and is available in S and SE trim levels with prices starting at £17,480.

New Skoda Superb Fastback Design Concept

With Volkswagen and Audi both featuring what marketers and advertising agencies like to call "four-door coupe" models in their range (the Passat CC and A5 Sportback respectively), one wonders why the German group hasn't added a similar model to their more mainstream brands, Seat and Skoda.

Czech architect and designer Pavel Hrubyi decided to take matters in his own hands (or so to speak) and draw a four-door coupe, sportback, fastback or whatever else you would like to call it, proposal for the Skoda brand based on the firm's range-topping Superb saloon.

Hrubyi completely redesigned the Superb II from the B-column and back adding a more rakish roofline and getting rid of the production model's frumpy rear end with the dual opening boot lid.

Even though it's just a drawing, the end result looks quite promising. Maybe the folks over at Skoda should take a look at this.

Photos: Pavel Hrubyi , Via: Autodesign&styling

SKODA SUPERB II

SKODA SUPERB II FASTBACK

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Skoda: Powertrain Updates for 2011MY Octavia, Yeti and Superb

European market Skoda models Yeti, Octavia and Superb will be getting powertrain updates for the 2011 model year starting from the end of this month. In detail:

The engine portfolio for the Yeti crossover has been extended with the VW Group's 122HP 1.4-liter TSI petrol unit combined with manual transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD), as well as a 140HP 2.0 TDI CR DPF turbo diesel with automatic DSG transmission and FWD, and the more potent 170HP 2.0 TDI CR DPF turbo diesel with manual transmission and 4WD.

The facelifted for 2010 Octavia series also gets the new 170HP 2.0-liter TDI CR DPF common rail diesel engine that replaces the identically powerful 2.0 TDI PD. The new diesel unit will be available for both manual and automatic transmissions with FWD, as well as for manual transmissions with 4WD and later in the year, also with automatic DSG transmission and 4WD.

Finally, the Czech firm's flagship Superb saloon and estate models are going to be offered with the VW Group's 200HP 2.0 TSI petrol with a six-speed automatic DSG transmission.

Skoda Superb Range Enhanced with More Fuel Efficient and Cleaner 2.0 Turbo Diesel

A revised 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that incorporates the latest Common Rail diesel technology and produces 140 horsepower is replacing the 2.0 TDI of the same output in the Skoda Superb saloon and Combi models.

The Volkswagen Group's Czech brand said that with the new engine, combined fuel consumption for the Superb 2.0 TDI CR has improved by 4.4mpg to 52.3mpg UK (5.4 lt/100km or 43.5mpg US), while CO2 emissions have been reduced by 12g/km to 143g/km.

At least in what concerns the UK market, these improvements have been made without affecting the Superb's price, which starts from £18,205.

The new Superb 2.0 TDI CR 140HP is available for order in Britain from 18th February with a choice of six-speed manual or twin-clutch DSG transmissions, in hatchback or estate bodystyles and in S, SE or Elegance trim.

The latest diesel engine option joins the existing 1.9 TDI PD 105HP and 2.0 TDI CR 170HP diesel engines that are offered in the Superb line-up.

Skoda Superb Combi: Live Photo Gallery from the Frankfurt Motor Show

The all-new Skoda Superb Combi, a station wagon version of the Czech automaker's flagship saloon, was launched at the Frankfurt motor show. At 4,838 mm long, 1,817 mm wide and 1,510 mm tall, the estate retains the same dimensions with the conventional Superb but because it is taller at the back, its luggage compartment volume has been increased to an echoing 633 liters (+68lt over the sedan), rising to 1,865-liters with the rear seats folded down.

As a first for a Skoda car, the Combi offers an optional electrically controlled tailgate that also automatically moves the boot cover to its middle position to free up more space. Other gizmos include the KESSY system for starting, unlocking and locking the vehicle without using a conventional key, an optional electrically controlled two-piece panoramic sunroof and the cool-looking fin-shaped roof antenna.

The engine range of the estate is identical with that of the Superb saloon comprising of three gasoline units, a 1.4 TSI with 125HP, a 1.8 TSI with 160HP and the top-of-the-line 3.6 FSI V6 that makes 260HP and is offered with a four-wheel drive system, plus two 2.0-liter diesel engines producing 140HP and 175HP.

All engines are linked to five or six-speed manual gearboxes while the VW Group's DSG dual clutch auto transmission will be optional.