2012 Edition of the Qatar Motor Show in Photos

As one of the largest and most important auto shows in the Middle East, the annual Qatar Motor Show's primary goal is to serve as the launching pad for the local debut of the industry's latest models before they arrive in showrooms.

That said, with the exception of some non-significant debuts such as the one-off, black and yellow themed Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport that we told about on Monday, the show doesn't host any noteworthy world premieres.

Nevertheless, for those of you that want to get a sample of the 2012 edition of the Qatar Motor Show that will be open to the general public from January 25 to 28, we've prepared a high-resolution gallery that you can check out for yourself right after the break.

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WRC: 2012 Season Kicks Off With 80th Monte Carlo Rally [Videos]

After a three-year hiatus, the most famous rally in the world, the Rallye Monte Carlo, has returned to the WRC calendar. As it was the 80th event, the Automobile Club de Monaco, which organized the race, decided to design a route that combined memories of past years with demanding stages.

The 2012 Monte Carlo rally started on January 17 with a ceremony north of Monaco, in the city of Valence. The real action, which consisted of 430 kilometers (267 miles) spread over 18 special stages, begun three days later, on January 20.

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Skoda Commences Road Tests of its First Pure Electric Vehicle

After the production of a fleet of 10 electrically powered Octavia Green E Line models last fall, Skoda is entering the second phase of its EV project as it commenced road tests around the Czech city of Mladà Boleslav, which is located about 50 km northeast of Prague.

The company's goal is to gain practical experience with electric propulsion in real life conditions as it prepares for the presentation of an actual production model.

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2012 Skoda Citigo

Skoda has releases details for Citigo city car, which will debut first as a
three-door hatch with a five-door variant following later in 2012. The car
goes on sale this year in its domestic Czech market while sales in the rest
of Europe will begin next summer (2012).

From the outside, styling of the Skoda is very clean, conservative yet
modern enough to fit in with the current Volkswagen/Skoda crop. The design
also seems to step away from the sometimes awkward design cues,
particularly in the front end, of other Skoda models.

The Citigo is powered by a three-cylinder 1.0 liter engine with either 60PS
(44 kW) or 75PS (55 kW). Both versions make 95Nm of torque and are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Performance figures for the 929 kg vehicle are a 159 kph top speed and a
13.9 seconds 0-100 kph time for the 60 PS variant and a 170 kph top speed
and 0-100 kph time of 12.7 seconds for the 75 PS version. Both models wear
14-inch wheels wrapped with 165/70 profile rubbers.

The Citigo will measure just 3.56 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 1.48
metres high. It has a wheelbase of 2.4 meters and offers 251 litres of boot
space, which can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats.





Press Release

A small ŠKODA for city traffic - "City Clever"

9/27/2011

With its seventh model line, ŠKODA is entering the small vehicle segment. The ŠKODA Citigo will be launched on the Czech market in late 2011. Market launches in Europe scheduled for the beginning of summer 2012.

ŠKODA is continuing its product offensive by introducing its seventh model line. With the Citigo, at 3.56m long, the Mladá Boleslav automaker is entering the A00 segment. The Citigo will debut on the domestic Czech market this year. Other European countries will follow at the beginning of summer 2012. The Citigo offers maximum utilisation of space and seats for four passengers. The Citigo will be launched as a three-door, with a five-door version to come in 2012.

"The Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. It paves the way for our brand to enter a very promising segment," said ŠKODA Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. "The new product fully meets the corporate philosophy of the ŠKODA Brand expressed through the "Simply Clever" slogan. Despite its small size, it offers ample interior space, but is surprisingly agile, and attractive in terms of trims and technologies used.

Although the Citigo is a small car, it is a typical ŠKODA-and as such fits perfectly with our plans."The designers managed to give the car a distinct look that declares at first glance: this is the new ŠKODA. The finned grille set in a chrome-plated frame and precisely shaped headlamps give the car the typical ŠKODA look. The designers have done a fantastic job on the rest of the car's body. With a length of 3.56 metres, width of 1.65 metres and height of 1.48 metres, the Citigo is one of the smallest vehicles in its segment. The volume of the luggage compartment is 251 litres. It can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats.

The key target groups are young drivers, young families looking to get themselves a second or even third car, and also "best agers." They are customers who are rather cost-sensitive and have a rational approach to cars on the one hand but high demands for quality, practicality, design and safety on the other. ŠKODA did not have much to offer such groups of customers in the small car segment. Prof. Vahland: "We can see that the demand for small cars with low fuel consumption, at a favourable price and with reasonable operating costs is growing.

ŠKODA's new small vehicle is a reaction to this trend. We are entering new ground and the Citigo will attract a lot of customers mainly in our European markets."The Citigo places great emphasis on safety. For the first time in a ŠKODA vehicle, the designers have used a Head-Thorax side airbag to protect the heads of both the driver and the front seat passenger and together with other elements it forms an exemplary safety packet in its class. In addition, active safety is significantly enhanced by the new "City Safe Drive" brake assistant. The system is automatically activated at speeds below 30 km/h and a laser sensor identifies a danger of collision. Along with the Volkswagen up!, the Citigo is currently the only car in the small vehicle segment to offer the emergency braking functionality.

Two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines will be available after the Citigo's launch: both have a volume of 1.0 litre and their power outputs are 44 kW/60 HP and 55 kW/75 HP. In the economical Green Tec version average consumption is 4.2l/100km and 4.3l/100km respectively. Emissions are 97g and 99g CO2/km respectively. Fuel consumption and emissions are 4.5l/100km and 105g CO2 per km for the 44kW engine. The engine with a power output of 55kW consumes 4.7l/100km and emits 108g of CO2 per km.

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Skoda Octavia vRS Bonneville with 600HP

Czech automaker Skoda announced its plans of competing in the famous Bonneville Speed Week in August (13-20), and they goal is to reach a speed of 200 mph.

The car features a 2.0-liter TSI petrol engine that has been equipped with a new Garret turbocharger. Thanks to high-octane race fuel and 26 to 28 PSI of boost, the engine will produce 550-600 PS (405-441 kW / 542-592 hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. Skoda estimates this will enable the car to hit a top speed in excess of 200 mph (322 km/h).

The car also features changes to improve aerodynamics and performance. That includes lowering it to run almost 80mm closer to the ground and a new sub-frame which houses a race prepared intercooler. The unique racer has been built to stringent Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) safety regulations, which means a reinforced roll cage, parachute, fire extinguishers and window cage.

Rear brakes have been removed to reduce aerodynamic drag – the Octavia will rely on a drag racing parachute to stop. Wheels are standard Skoda 15-inch steel rims wearing high-pressure Goodyear Eagle Land Speed tyres to give a total wheel diameter of 23-inches.





Press Release

ŠKODA TAKES ON BONNEVILLE SPEED WEEK......AT 200MPH

• Škoda to compete on legendary American salt flats to mark 10 years of vRS
• Specially built 600PS Octavia vRS aims to be the first 200mph Škoda

Simply Clever.....at more than 200mph! Škoda UK is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its iconic vRS performance flagship badge by going landspeed record racing.

A one-off modified Octavia vRS saloon has been entered into the world famous Bonneville Speed Week in August (13-20). Its aim is to break the magic 200mph barrier and join the most exclusive club in motoring.

The brand's UK technical team at Milton Keynes has been working in secret on the vehicle for several months, with the assistance of performance software and tuning outfit REVO Technik.

The car is a factory-fresh production Octavia vRS, but some changes have been made to improve aerodynamics and performance. That includes lowering it to run almost 80mm closer to the ground and a new sub-frame which houses a race prepared intercooler.

It retains its production-standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engine but the standard turbo has been replaced with a more advanced unit from respected component firm Garret. Generating up to 600PS, and producing 26-28 PSI of boost pressure, it drinks high-octane race fuel (with water methanol mix)rather than unleaded petrol.

The unique racer has been built to stringent Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) safety regulations, which means a reinforced roll cage, parachute, fire extinguishers and window cage.

Since its launch in 2001, vRS has captured the hearts of UK motorists who enjoy the thrill of sports car driving. Since then, the UK has become Škoda'slargest market for the Octavia and Fabia vRS with more than 12,000 cars sold since launch.

Robert Hazelwood, Director for Škoda UK, said: "The 10-year relationship between the UK and the vRS badge has been extremely successful. This is a landmark anniversary and going to Bonneville is a fitting tribute. It's also an ambitious project which might surprise a few people, but Škoda is all about engineering excellence and this car is pushing that to new limits."

The vRS is entered into the ‘2.0-litre production car' category and will race over a nine-mile straight, which includes a timed mile in the middle. Performance through that section determines the class winner.

The legendary Bonneville Salt Flats begin 90 miles west of Salt Lake City and cover around 50 square miles of north-western Utah. It has been the spiritual home to high-speed racing for almost a century and each August a variety of hot rods, roadsters, belly tankers, lakesters, motorcycles, streamliners and diesel trucks compete in Speed Week.

Škoda vRS models are designed to ignite the passion and thrill of sports car driving. They offer additional emotional involvement and an extra level of dynamic appeal, and stand out from the crowd thanks to their subtle but distinctive exterior features. These include aggressive bumpers, rear spoiler, bespoke alloy wheels and chromed exhaust tips. Inside, the attention to detail continues with fresh upholstery, unique badging and smart dashboard inserts.

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Czech Designer Imagines a Skoda WRC Racecar Based on the Vision D Concept

Skoda is a brand with a long tradition in motorsports and this has inspired Czech designer Pavel Hruby to draw a study of a modern Skoda world rally car. Hruby took inspiration from the Skoda Vision D Concept shown by the Czech brand at this year's Geneva Motor Show.

The VW Group’s subsidiary was not involved in any way in this project, with the sketch having been commissioned by Czech Magazine AutoDesign&Styling. The Skoda Vision WRC project shows Hruby's ideas of what a new rally model from the Czech automaker could look like. Based on the new design language launched by the Vision D concept, the rally car features the new corporate grille, underlined by a massive air intake in the lower part of the bumper.

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Skoda Reportedly Readying Up-based City Car for 2011 and Low-Cost Sedan for 2012

Volkswagen Group's new strategy for Skoda is beginning to show its first results. In order to avoid competition between VW and Skoda products and to get a piece of the low-cost market, the German company’s plans for the Czech automaker include a new affordable model.

According to reports from the UK, Skoda has confirmed that the new addition will be a small sedan positioned between the Fabia supermini and the Octavia and will target developing markets. The sedan, which could be a competitor to Renault’s Dacia Logan, is scheduled for launch in 2012, but first Skoda will introduce a city car based on Volkswagen’s forthcoming Up series.

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Skoda Introduces Fabia R2 Rally Car for the Masses

The VW Group’s Czech subsidiary Skoda has unveiled the Fabia R2, a new race-spec mode intended for the popular R2 rally category. Based on the series production Fabia, the R2 features significant changes to the engine, chassis, suspension and gearbox.

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Geneva 2011: Skoda's Fabia Monte Carlo Special is all Show, No Go

Skoda's offerings at the 2011 Geneva Salon include a new special edition version of the Fabia supermini that is said to have been created to celebrate 100 years of the Monte Carlo Rally, and commemorate the 110 year anniversary of the brand's motorsport efforts.

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Geneva 2011: Skoda’s Vision of its Design Future

Skoda seems to be shedding its old style language for a new bolder corporate design direction. The aim is to highlight Skoda's green line up while differentiating the brand from others in the Volkswagen group. The VisionD is the first such concept car under this new design direction, the overall effect is a simple, clean design that is to feature in all future Skoda cars.

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Skoda Reveals VisionD Design Study and Brand New Logo

Making its world premiere at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show is the Skoda VisionD, a concept model that previews the brand's new design direction and is the first vehicle to wear Skoda's new logo.

The VisionD concept car takes the form of a sharp-looking five-door hatchback. Skoda claims the long wheelbase and short overhangs allow for above-average interior space, while the dynamic roof line offers the car a “high degree of visual majesty”. The fluent integration of the tailgate into the car's overall line and the absence of a third latteral glass give the hatchback a dynamic appearance.

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Skoda Confirms All-New Concept Car for the Geneva Motor Show

The presentation of an as-of-yet unnamed concept model will be the highlight of Skoda's Geneva Motor Show booth. For now, the Czech automaker is keeping the name and photos of the car to itself, but the company said that the study will reflect the brand's new design language that will be applied in the next generation of models. Read more »

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F1 Driver Robert Kubica Injured in Rally Crash, May Save his Arm After Emergency Surgery [with Video]

While competing in the Ronde de Andorra rally in Italy, Polish Formula 1 star Robert Kubica was involved in a horrendous crash on Sunday, as he lost control of his Skoda Fabia S2000 rally car and left the road at high speed. The Lotus-Renault team driver was airlifted from the scene and underwent successful emergency surgery at the Santa Corona hospital in Pietra Ligure.

Kubica has suffered multiple fractures to his right arm and hand with initial reports saying that he could lose the functionality of his limb. Fortunately, the operation went well, according to Dr. Mario Igor Rosello, who told reporters that Kubica, awakened form an induced coma, was able to move his fingers, which is “an encouraging sign for the rest of the recovery process”.

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Skoda's Fabia Monte Carlo Anniversary Model Packs Style but Lacks Punch

VW Group subsidiary Skoda is celebrating the 100 years of the Monte Carlo Rally as well as its own 110 year-long involvement in motorsports with the presentation of the Fabia Monte Carlo, a special edition version of the five-door hatchback model with bespoke exterior and interior styling cues.

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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.

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VIDEO: Meet the Bad Boy Builders of Skoda’s Mean Green Fabia vRS

After focusing on the 'Mean Green' machine first, Skoda has now released a follow-up video clip documenting the fictional bad boy crew that builds the Fabia vRS hot-hatch in the firm's latest commercial on the car for the United Kingdom. The new campaign takes a darker but equally humorous twist on the Fabia’s ‘Made of Lovely Stuff’ proposition which was made famous by the 2007 Fabia ‘Cake’ commercial. You can watch the new ad in the video after the jump.

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Skoda Celebrates IRC Title with Fabia RS Edition S2000

In celebration of the International Rally Championship (IRC) title won by its Fabia S2000, Skoda has rolled out a limited-run edition version of its road-going Fabia RS hot hatch dressed in the firm's racing colors. All 200 examples of the car will be painted in a Rally Green finish with a white roof, white alloy wheels and stickers from the rally-spec S2000 model.

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VIDEO: Skoda Fabia vRS Hot Hatch Shows its "Meaner" side in New TV Ad

As Skoda is enjoying its best year on record, the VW Group-owned company wants to build on the momentum by launching a new TV campaign for the Fabia vRS hot hatch. The new ad, which is meant to show the darker side of the 180-horsepower-strong hatch, features the "Made from Meaner Stuff" tagline. There will be two versions of the TV commercial, a short 30 second ad and an uncut, 60 second advert.

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A Painted History of Skoda

Just today, we learned that Skoda delivered a record number of vehicles in the first nine months of 2010, increasing its operating profit by a whopping 64%. This is what most people know about the Czech automaker; that it has been a wild success since Volkswagen took over the reins of the company. But there are others -myself included- who think the real glory of Skoda lies in its past.

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Skoda Octavia Green E Line Concept

This year’s edition of the Paris show will see the VW Group’s successful Skoda brand unveiling its first-ever electric-powered vehicle called the Octavia Green E Line. Skoda says it is planning to create a special test fleet of Octavias Green E Line in 2011 with the goal of obtaining additional information relevant to the further development of the electric drive. The concept model is based on the series production Octavia Combi [estate] and is powered by an electric motor delivering a constant power of 60 kW / 80-hp and a maximum output of 85 kW / 114-hp.

The electricity for the Octavia Green E Line is supplied by a modern lithium-ion battery. With a range-per-charge of 140 kilometers (87 miles), the Skoda Octavia Green E Line comfortably meets the requirements of most everyday commuters in Europe. Located under the middle and rear parts of the floor and extending partly into the luggage compartment, the 26.5 kWh battery is made up of 180 lithium-ion cells (diameter 150 mm, length 650 mm) and weighs about 315 kilograms. However, the battery has almost no impact on the volume of the passenger and luggage compartments. The Octavia Green E Line is fitted with five comfortable seats, and its passenger compartment is identical with that of the Octavia Combi with a combustion engine.

The car is finished in a Pearl White exterior color and features chrome-trim on both the front and rear of the vehicle as well as on the wheels creating a contrast with the glossy black roof with integrated energy-generating photovoltaic panels.

Motivation is provided a 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery which sends power to an electric motor that produces 85 kW (114 hp / 116 PS) and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque. This allows the wagon to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 12 seconds, hit a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph) and travel up to 140 km on a single charge.

Source: Skoda




Press Release

OCTAVIA GREEN E LINE CONCEPT: ŠKODA'S FIRST-EVER ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• Range: up to 140 km per charge thanks to modern ion-lithium battery

• Engine: maximum power 85 kW

• Test fleet to start in 2011

Mladá Boleslav, 29 September, 2010 - The 2010 Paris Motorshow will see the Octavia Green E Line concept. Škoda's first-ever electric-powered vehicle will demonstrate the company's innovative potential and technological competence in this growing area. The first fleet of test vehicles is planned for 2011.

Mobility for people and clean cars for the environment - these are Škoda's commitments. Mobility without emissions is the future. "The Octavia Green E Line embodies the values of the brand absolutely perfectly - the vehicle combines the desire for individual mobility with our environmental goals", said Škoda Auto BOD Chairman Prof. Dr. Winfried Vahland.

The Green E Line concept is based on the Škoda Octavia Combi. With its modular chassis design, this series-production car is the ideal option in terms of arranging the batteries, electronic control units and the electric engine with its constant power of 60 kW and max. power of 85 kW. Available right after the start (as is typical of this type of drive), the maximum torque of 270 Nm gives the car enough power for sharp acceleration and a good amount of agility and responsiveness, which the driver will appreciate mainly in busy city traffic. The Octavia Green E Line accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just twelve seconds, and the car's maximum speed is limited to 135 km/h.

The electricity for the Octavia Green E Line is supplied by a modern lithium-ion battery. With a range-per-charge of 140 kilometres, the Škoda Octavia Green E Line comfortably meets the requirements of most everyday commuters in Europe. Located under the middle and rear parts of the floor and extending partly into the luggage compartment, the 26.5 kWh battery is made up of 180 lithium-ion cells (diameter 150 mm, length 650 mm) and weighs about 315 kilograms. However, the battery has almost no impact on the volume of the passenger and luggage compartments. The Octavia Green E Line is fitted with five comfortable seats, and its passenger compartment is identical with that of the Octavia Combi with a combustion engine.

With smart dashboard indicators, the driver of the Octavia Green E Line always stays in control. The computer screen provides continuous information including instant output, power consumption, battery charge and the remaining range. The navigation display describes the energy flow, i.e., informs the driver that the electric engine is being supplied with electricity or, on the contrary, that it is generating electricity as the car decelerates or goes downhill.

The look of the Škoda Octavia Green E Line conveys the environmental-friendliness of its electric drive.Pearl-white exterior colour and elegant chrome-trim on both the front and rear of the vehicle as well as on the wheels create an impressive contrast with the glossy black roof with integrated energy-generating photovoltaic panels.

Škoda Auto is planning to create a test fleet of Octavias Green E Line in 2011 with the objective of obtaining additional information relevant to the further development of the electric drive.

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