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The ŠKODA AFRIQ is off to a flying start. The name the 25 apprentices at the ŠKODA Vocational School chose for the eighth ŠKODA student car highlights two important topics: The rally version of the ŠKODA KAMIQ city SUV, which is being developed in collaboration with ŠKODA Motorsport, commemorates the legendary Dakar Rally in Africa. The name ŠKODA AFRIQ is also a perfect choice for another reason; since the beginning of this year, ŠKODA AUTO has been responsible for all the Volkswagen Group’s activities in North Africa.

This year, for the first time in the history of the traditional project, the vocational students are working alongside ŠKODA Motorsport to create the eighth ŠKODA student car, thereby benefiting from 120 years of motorsport experience. The rally version of the ŠKODA KAMIQ city SUV, which serves as the basis for the student car for the first time, is taking on the look of the vehicles that compete in the legendary Dakar Rally. The roots of the traditional long-distance rally lie in the deserts of North and West Africa.

From the very first pencil stroke, the vocational students are developing the spectacularly designed and handmade one-off themselves. The AFRIQ is 4,362 millimetres long and has a wheelbase of 2,649 millimetres. The apprentices are incorporating many new, unusual ideas with the support of teachers at the ŠKODA Vocational School, engineers and experienced employees from the Technical Development, Design and Production areas, as well as ŠKODA Motorsport for the first time.

“It’s great to see how much enthusiasm and creativity our apprentices bring to this project. In collaboration with the specialist teachers, who are totally dedicated to our students and work diligently with them on the details, the project participants come up with ideas every year that surprise even the experts. The apprentices always manage to give their very own dream car a unique character.”

Zdeněk Stanke, team leader from the ŠKODA Academy

ŠKODA AUTO leads the Volkswagen Group in North Africa
The eighth ŠKODA student car also reflects ŠKODA AUTO’s Group responsibility for the North Africa region. Following on from India and Russia, the Czech car manufacturer is now responsible for all the Volkswagen Group’s activities in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. Under the leadership of Arwa Oeljeklaus, the company has been developing new markets with growth potential in this region since 1 January 2021. The project is one of the three top priorities EXPAND, EXPLORE and ENGAGE as part of the new corporate strategy ‘NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030’. Under the banner of EXPLORE, ŠKODA AUTO strives to become the leading European car manufacturer in India, Russia and North Africa by 2030.

“By naming the new ŠKODA student car AFRIQ and paying homage to the Dakar Rally’s roots on the African continent, the apprentices are also drawing attention to ŠKODA AUTO’s newly assigned responsibility for the North Africa region. As we have in India and Russia, we also want to apply our expertise to the dynamic growth regions in Africa so that we can efficiently leverage existing synergies for the Group.”

Arwa Oeljeklaus, Head of ŠKODA AUTO North Africa

ŠKODA’s experience at the Dakar Rally
At the 40th run of the desert rally in 2018, a KODIAQ became the first ŠKODA ever to take part in what is arguably the world’s most demanding rally. ŠKODA’s large SUV was used in South America as a support vehicle for the Czech team BARTH Racing. The unmodified series-production model handled the almost 10,000-kilometre route through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina without any problems – at altitudes of more than 4,500 metres along some stretches. In 2021, a ŠKODA 130 LR, a former rally works car from the 1980s, took part in the Dakar Rally in the Classic category. It reached the finish after more than 7,600 kilometres through Saudi Arabia, celebrating a stage victory and several third places.

Apprentices from the ŠKODA Vocational School in Mladá Boleslav have been planning, developing and building a spectacular concept car every year since 2014. The student car project is a unique initiative in the Czech Republic and offers the skilled workers of tomorrow the chance to demonstrate their talents and capabilities in collaboration with experts from the company’s Production, Design and other departments. This gives the apprentices an insight into many different areas of the company. They learn to work on projects as part of a team, to combine planning and practical implementation, and to present their work to Board members. The student car is one of the most important projects for the ŠKODA Academy and impressively demonstrates the high quality of training at the Vocational School in Mladá Boleslav, which was founded in 1927.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

ŠKODA wins more awards than any other brand with eight victories in the 34th ‘Auto Trophy 2021’ readers’ poll organised by the German car magazine Auto Zeitung. ŠKODA thus achieved the best result ever in the history of the readers’ poll. The FABIA left the competition behind among import vehicles in the ‘City Cars/Small Cars’ category, as did the OCTAVIA in the category of imported compact models. The KAMIQ was named the best SUV up to €25,000 in the import ranking, and the SUPERB scooped trophies as the import winner in the ‘luxury class’ and for best value for money. The ENYAQ iV took first prize in the ‘E-SUV up to €50,000’ category – both as the import and overall winner. Readers also voted ŠKODA the ‘Best Import Brand’.

12,126 readers and online users of the German car magazine Auto Zeitung cast their votes: In the 34th run of the ‘Auto Trophy’, they chose their favourites out of 248 models and 138 brands across 36 categories. ŠKODA took the title of ‘Best Import Brand’ with 34.9 per cent of the vote. This was the eighth time in a row since 2014 that the Czech manufacturer has won the title in the readers’ poll.

In the ‘City Cars/Small Cars’ category, the ŠKODA FABIA secured victory among the import vehicles, receiving 29.6 per cent of the vote. The fourth generation of the popular small car is based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Toolkit MQB-A0 and offers the most space in the segment; the already generous boot volume has increased from 330 to 380 litres. The new edition also delivers improved comfort and a host of new safety and assistance features.

14th ‘Auto Trophy’ for the ŠKODA OCTAVIA
The ŠKODA OCTAVIA continued its winning streak with this year’s success as the best imported vehicle in the ‘Compact Models’ category: 28.9 per cent of respondents voted for it, taking it to first place. For the Czech carmaker’s bestseller, this year’s ‘Auto Trophy’ award is now the eighth trophy in a row and the 14th victory overall. The fourth-generation OCTAVIA family is more economical and sustainable than ever, with the brand offering the most versatile drive portfolio in the model’s history; alongside modern TSI petrol engines and EVO turbodiesels, the OCTAVIA iV with plug-in hybrid drive is also available, while the OCTAVIA e-TEC with mild hybrid technology and the OCTAVIA G-TEC with natural gas drive complete the range.

The ŠKODA KAMIQ received its first “Auto Trophy” shortly after its market launch in 2019, and followed up on this success in 2020 and 2021: Receiving 32.5 per cent of the reader votes, it landed in first place among the imported ‘SUVs up to €25,000’. The model rounds off the lower end of the Czech carmaker’s SUV family. The KAMIQ combines the typical advantages of this vehicle segment, such as a higher seating position, with the agility of a compact vehicle.

ŠKODA SUPERB delivers the best value for money of all models
The ŠKODA SUPERB once again had an impressive showing at the ‘Auto Trophy 2021’; the mid-range model achieved first place in two categories. In the ‘luxury class’ category, almost one in four readers (24.7%) opted for the mid-size model. At the same time, with 29.2 per cent of the votes, the SUPERB came out on top as the vehicle offering the best price-performance ratio. The extensive range of equipment includes full LED matrix headlights and numerous state-of-the-art assistance systems. The powertrain options include modern and economical TSI and TDI engines; the SUPERB iV with plug-in hybrid drive is also available.

Two awards for the ENYAQ iV: Electric SUV clinches import and overall victory
The ŠKODA ENYAQ iV entered the race for the ‘Auto Trophy’ awards for the second time. As it did in 2020, the all‑electric SUV once again won over the readers and online users of Auto Zeitung this year, winning the import ranking in the ‘Electric SUV up to €50,000’ category with 33.9 per cent of the votes. At the same time, it edged out the competition in this segment, receiving 24.6 per cent of the vote to take overall victory. The new flagship of ŠKODA’s model range offers the spaciousness you would expect from a ŠKODA as well as featuring the brand’s emotive design language. In the interior, new Design Selections replace the conventional equipment lines, and thanks to a clearly laid-out new offer structure, the ideal vehicle can be configured in just a few clicks.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Since its introduction in spring 2017, the ŠKODA KAROQ has contributed substantially to the Czech car maker’s success. Alongside its “big brother” the KODIAQ, this compact SUV has won over numerous customers and car magazines worldwide, playing a key role in shaping the development of the ŠKODA brand in recent years. More than 500,000 units of the KAROQ have rolled off the production lines since 2017. In 2020 and in the first half of 2021, it was ŠKODA’s best-selling SUV and the brand’s second most popular model overall after the OCTAVIA. The freshened ŠKODA KAROQ will make its debut in a digital media presentation on 30 November.

“With its generous amount of space and typical ŠKODA functionality, the KAROQ has delighted our customers right from the start. It was our most popular SUV model during the past year and the first half of 2021 – which illustrates its importance within the model portfolio. I am convinced that we will build on this success story with the new edition of the KAROQ and attract new customers to the brand.”

Martin Jahn, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Sales and Marketing

Introduced in 2017, the ŠKODA KAROQ represented the second stage of the ŠKODA SUV campaign, making this model series a key part of what has become a genuine success story – in 2020, this vehicle segment already accounted for almost 40 per cent of ŠKODA’s global sales figures. Indeed, in 2020 and the first half of 2021 the KAROQ was ŠKODA’s most popular SUV and the Czech car maker’s second best-selling model overall, behind the OCTAVIA. More than 500,000 units of the KAROQ have rolled off the production lines since 2017, and it’s currently available in 60 countries worldwide. ŠKODA manufactures this model in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as in Russia and China.

An exciting design and typical ŠKODA virtues
The KAROQ was launched with the same exciting design language as the KODIAQ, complete with crystalline elements, dynamic shapes and sharply defined lines. It also continued the ŠKODA convention of having SUV model names start with a K and end with a Q. Its name harks back to the language of Alaska’s original inhabitants, the Alutiiq. Its compact dimensions make the KAROQ the perfect car for urban environments, while its off-road mode and high ground clearance as well as an optional all-wheel drive system ensure it excels just as much on more challenging terrain. With its exceptional spaciousness and large luggage compartment, it is the ideal vehicle for families and lifestyle-focused customers. Optional VarioFlex rear seats are just one of many Simply Clever features offered by the functional KAROQ. It also offers superior active and passive safety, numerous assistance systems, even better comfort and a wealth of advanced connectivity features.

Numerous awards from the international automotive media
In addition to its great popularity with customers, the ŠKODA KAROQ is very highly regarded by the international motoring press, as evidenced by the host of awards it has won since its debut in 2017. In its first year of sales, the KAROQ received instant honours from the most prominent car magazines in Germany, the largest single market for ŠKODA worldwide. Auto Bild awarded it the “Golden Steering Wheel” as the best small SUV, while auto motor und sport honoured it with the “AUTONIS” award for best new compact SUV design. The KAROQ also beat the competition to win Auto Zeitung’s “Auto Trophy” as the best import SUV in the price bracket up to 25,000 euros in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2018 it won the title as the best import vehicle in the compact SUV and off-roader category in the auto motor und sport “Best Cars” readers’ choice award; this was complemented by the Czech and Greek “Car of the Year” awards and the “SUV of the Year” award in Bulgaria and at “The Fleet News Awards” in the UK. The German company car magazine firmenauto has presented the ŠKODA KAROQ with its “Company Car of the Year” award for three years running, from 2019 to 2021, in the compact SUV and crossover category. In 2021, in addition to winning “Best Family SUV” in British What Car? magazine, the KAROQ has also brought home two awards in Russia, where it was declared Autoreview “Car of the Year” and “Best compact 4×4 Crossover” at the Za Rulyom Grand Prix awards.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

ŠKODA has published official design sketches previewing the interior of the new SLAVIA for the Indian market. The notchback saloon’s cabin conforms to the current ŠKODA interior concept as featured in some of the brand’s other models, complete with the latest design elements. These include distinctive round air vents, a horizontal decorative trim strip in a contrasting colour and embossed wordmarks on the binnacle. Like the ŠKODA KUSHAQ SUV introduced in early 2021, the new SLAVIA slots into the A0 segment, a very popular category in India, and is based on the MQB-A0-IN version of the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Matrix, which has been specifically adapted by ŠKODA AUTO for the Indian market. The second new model resulting from the INDIA 2.0 project is produced locally in Pune and will be presented 18 November 2021.

The central element in the interior of the current ŠKODA models is a free-standing infotainment display that will also be the main eye-catcher in the cabin of the new ŠKODA SLAVIA. Underneath this touchscreen display measuring up to 10 inches on the diagonal is a character line referencing the silhouette of the ŠKODA grille. It also serves as a handrest when operating the display. The width of the brand’s signature spacious cabin is emphasised by a horizontal, seemingly floating trim strip in a contrasting colour, which extends all the way into the distinctive round air vents on the sides. The digital instrument cluster’s display can be seen behind the two-spoke multifunction steering wheel.

Like the KUSHAQ SUV model, the ŠKODA SLAVIA is based on the locally developed and manufactured MQB-A0-IN platform. ŠKODA AUTO has specially adapted this version of the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Matrix for the Indian market, ensuring it already complies with India’s new, more stringent safety and emissions requirements. Technical development was handled by the ŠKODA AUTO Technology Centre in Pune. Production uses a total of up to 95 per cent of components sourced from local suppliers.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Following the launch of the KUSHAQ, ŠKODA is set to unveil the second stage in its product campaign for the Indian market later this year. The Czech car manufacturer’s latest model, the SLAVIA, completes their range of saloons and offers generous amounts of space, as is typical of the brand. The A0 mid-size saloon will be offered with a choice of two powerful and efficient TSI engines, as well as a host of comprehensive safety features which include up to six airbags and numerous assistance systems. Volkswagen Group is investing one billion euros in the INDIA 2.0 project headed by ŠKODA AUTO.

“Following the successful launch of our compact SUV, the KUSHAQ, we are now upping the ante with this latest model, the SLAVIA. I feel confident this saloon will appeal to new customers in India. We are taking the next step towards achieving our ambitious goal of developing ŠKODA AUTO into the leading European car manufacturer in India.”

Thomas Schäfer, ŠKODA AUTO CEO

“With the new ŠKODA SLAVIA, we are continuing our model campaign under the INDIA 2.0 project. Following hard on the heels of the KUSHAQ – which is highly appreciated by Indian customers for its robust build, safety, high quality and excellent value for money – the SLAVIA will deliver on all these aspects and set new benchmarks for design and performance in its segment. Built in India for India and the world, our latest model illustrates the skills and expertise of our local engineers who contributed significantly to its development, in collaboration with the global team.”

Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited

“With our new SLAVIA, we are launching a feature-rich vehicle that offers outstanding design, build quality, reliability and driving dynamics. The SLAVIA combines the benefits of a mid-size saloon with ŠKODA’s emotive design language, modern technology and state-of-the-art assistance systems.”

Zac Hollis, Brand Director ŠKODA AUTO India

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

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