Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs
Skoda ramps up for Roomster premiere in Geneva
Coming off a record year in 2005, driven by strong sales of its new Octavia and Octavia Estate models, Volkswagen's Skoda subsidiary is hoping to keep up the momentum with the launch of its Roomster.
Launched as a concept car at the Frankfurt auto show in 2003, the innovative Roomster MPV was originally pitched as a pure concept, with little chance of production. However, its enthusiastic reception encouraged Skoda to announce last year that the Roomster was approved for production.
The production version will be unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show and available to the public in June. Meanwhile, Skoda offers this flash "teaser" on the web.
In case you missed it the first time around, pics and commentary on the concept follow the jump.
[thanks for the tip, Mike]
The Roomster is all about interior design. No center console provides plenty of room for front seat passengers, while the rear seats offer more legroom than many luxury cars. The seats move forward and back, and fold, allowing multiple configurations for everything from a night out with friends to hauling furniture. Two lengthwise sunroofs brighten the interior.
The car is assymetrical, with one door on the left and two on the right, including a tall sliding door for easy access.
The front end of the car is likely to be the first introduction of new design elements for future Skoda cars, including the wraparound windshield. A number of Roomster variants have been suggested, including the panel van shown.
It isn't clear how many of the concept car's features will make it into the production version - the extra-long wheelbase and the all-glass tailgate may not - but the Roomster is undeniably a courageous design by the venerable company.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
emulous1974 4:32PM (1/22/2006)
Very interesting exterior design. Part of it looks futuristic and the rest looks nicely standard modern. If VW would bring that over as their base model in the U.S. I think the Scion xB would loose a lot of sales.
Does anyone know where this fits into Skoda's lineup?
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Jason 6:06PM (1/22/2006)
I like the nose, I LOVE the rear door...the giant slab of glass looks awesome. The rest of it looks pretty brutal.
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Ville 6:36PM (1/22/2006)
Hardly surprising that this will be produced. Wagon version of small vans have been around for a while and are quite successful and this is basically one of those with better styling. The Peugeot Partner Wagon, the Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo, Mercedes-Benz Vario, Fiat Doblo Toyota Yaris Verso and Volkswagens own Caddy Life are all more or less successful models. It will be interesting to see how much of the concept's styling actually makes it into production, but. The asymmetrical doors will probably not make it, as people have overwhelmingly preferred having two rear doors in similar models that have offered the choice.
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far jr 9:03PM (1/22/2006)
Interesting design. It is nice to see that someone out there is still taking chances in design rather than simply trying to be in-offensive. Look at that glass! I wouldn't want to be in the back seat when rear ended by another car.
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FireSermon 9:04PM (1/22/2006)
New Popemobile?
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Car-la 12:54AM (1/23/2006)
Those front windows are great. I hope those make it to production.
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WillDaThrill 2:40AM (1/23/2006)
I like it. Being that I give xB's such a hard time, this looks like someone actually put forth an effort in designing this. It could use some aftermarket work, but I'd rather be caught driving this instead of box-zilla. Even if it were slower. I really love how clean that rear door is.
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rosario tribunella 12:08AM (1/24/2006)
its so beautiful. i love the look. if YOU BRING IT in the USA I WOULD BUY IT THE LINES ARE SO CLEAN. YOU HAVE A WINNER HERE THE DESIGNER IS A MICHELANGELO ITS A MASTERPIECE
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rasto 11:58PM (2/13/2006)
sorry guy's, here is final car. http://news.auto.cz/?article=5714
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