Autoblog

The Skoda Fabia (not sold in America) is pretty small. It's based on the Volkswagen Polo platform (also not sold in America). But Skoda chairman Reinhard Jung wants an even smaller car based on the upcoming production version of the VW up! concept, and that also won't be sold here in all likelihood. Where it will, however, is in Russia, India and China.

These rapidly growing markets where Western automakers have been undertaking an equally rapid expansion via joint ventures with local companies are where Skoda wants to expand production. Currently the Czech subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group produces about 60,000 vehicles each year between the three enormous countries, which it plans to double to 120,000 units annually over the course of 2008. But by 2010, Skoda is targeting annual production of 350,000 in those markets.

Volkswagen has shown several concepts that preview a small car range, including the original two-door Up! in Frankfurt, the Space Up! van in Tokyo, and the Space Up! Blue in Los Angeles. Earlier reports suggested that the van derivative could make it to the US market, while Skoda as well as SEAT derivatives will be manufactured around the world for global sale.

[Source: Just-Autos.com - subscription required]

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Green-ness in the European auto market has become quite the trendy thing, as evidenced by the frenzy of alt-fuel/economy/clean-tech debuts littering the IAA floor. It's to be expected, given the regulatory noises coming from Euro government officials. VW-owned Czech automaker Škoda has gotten into the act this year, offering up a "GreenLine" version of its new Fabia compact. (Somewhere in the RenCen, Saturn officials must be grumbling about Škoda's name selection for its eco-roster.)

The GreenLine cars feature engines that focus on fuel economy and low emissions. As such, the Fabia GreenLine and Fabia Combi GreenLine (shown above) are powered by a 1.4L TDI with a diesel particulate filter that delivers 79 horsepower and emits less than 110 g/km of CO2. Another GreenLine car that will go on sale in biofuel-friendly Sweden later this year is the Octavia Combi Greenline, which is driven by a 100-horse 1.6L E85-compatible engine. Green is definitely the new black. Or something.

You can read more about Škoda's complete Frankfurt lineup in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Škoda]

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Based on the Fabia Combi (wagon) that's making its world debut for Škoda at Frankfurt, the Fabia Scout "design study" on the show floor is, in all likelihood, a lock for production. Škoda already offers an Octavia Scout and a Roomster Scout, both of which are dressed up allroad/Outback-style with unpainted lower cladding to give the cars a tougher, SUV-ish look. In the case of the Octavia Scout, it actually has 4WD, too, because that's an option on the regular Octavia. Don't expect the same from the Fabia Scout, as the car it's based on is FWD-only. We expect to see the Fabia Scout in European showrooms wearing the exact same duds as the very production-looking show car you see above. File it under "concept in name only."

[Source: Škoda]

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This is the new, upcoming Skoda Fabia Estate. As of right now, that is all we can tell you, since the photo is all Skoda's released. More info is promised soon, and if we had to guess, it'll probably have the same drivetrain offerings as the regular Fabia hatch, meaning four gasoline and three diesel engines, with the top ones (gasoline and diesel) pumping out 105 horsepower. Expect a Frankfurt debut for Skoda's new wagon.

[Source: Skoda]

Click image for a gallery of the new Skoda Fabia

This is the ultimate car guy birthday cake. This advert for the Skoda Fabia is designed to hit you in the warm, gooey center. Right away, you're drawn in by dulcet tones from The Sound Of Music that trigger flashbacks to a Generation Y childhood and endless preschool sing-a-longs. Furthering the irresistible pull of the commercial is the fact that they're making cake. Anyone who can turn away from watching bakers at work is just dead inside. It's so much like what we gearheads do - look in the book, follow the instructions using your skills to ensure a proper result. Maybe it's just us wrench-turners who know our way around a kitchen, and are also suckers for confections. Whatever it is, even if it turns out to be subliminal flash frames (doesn't work, btw), the Skoda is so sweet, we want to take one home. Which is the point. Except, we still want it for dessert.

Thanks for the tip, Mr. Pink!

[Source: Skoda]

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Geneva was the venue at which Czech automaker Skoda introduced its new Fabia hatchback. While the Fabia's nice and all, the real eye candy at the company's booth is clearly the Fabia-based S2000 concept. The name refers to the Super 2000 regulations the show car conforms to, and it serves as confirmation that Skoda is hard at work preparing a customer-ready Super 2000-spec racer for use in FIA Rally events. The enclosed press release is short on detail, confirming only that the car features a 2.0-liter engine (naturally), roll cage (obviously), four-wheel-drive (a racer-specific addition), and other S2K-compliant features. Sadly, no power output for the car's engine is given. We'll guess that the final product should dish out significantly more than 200 horsepower, since the other Super 2000 rally cars we've covered here at Autoblog-- the new Australian TRD Corolla team car and Peugeot's 207 -- produce 255 and 280 horsepower respectively.

[Source: Skoda]

Gallery: Skoda S2000 Concept

Škoda, the VW-owned Czech automaker, will make its first-ever official factory-backed trip to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.

The 300-hp First Motorsport Škoda Fabia WRC car will be on hand and piloted by First Motorsport's 2006 driver, François Duval. Duval will run the car up the hillclimb section and through the forest rally stage. The Fabia's appearance at Goodwood is also part of a larger effort to launch the Richard Burns Foundation, the charity named for the late rally champion who passed away due to cancer in 2005. He was only 34 years of age.

In addition to the modern race car, Skoda has entered a 1930s era Škoda Popular Monte Carlo coupe in the festival's Cartier "Style et Luxe" competition, where it'll go up against the likes of the classic Lamborghini Miura. Fun fact about Style et Luxe: Star Wars creator and car aficionado George Lucas is one of the celebrity judges.

(Pics, press release after the jump)

[Source: Skoda]

Volkswagen-owned Skoda Auto announced Wednesday that it is expanding its plans for China. With production of Skoda's Octavia scheduled to spool up in 2007 at Volkswagen's plant in Shanghai, the company announced that it will add its Fabia (pictured) and Superb models to its Chinese portfolio.

Skoda plans a network of exclusive Skoda dealers in China, providing both sales and maintenance support. Echoing the words of every other auto industry executive you can think of, Skoda Auto's chairman Detlef Wittig said, "...we see China as one of the strategic markets for the brand's future growth."

Even with the resources of parent Volkswagen, it's hard to imagine how a small automaker like Skoda can establish an independent presence in China, and even harder to see why Volkswagen thinks this is a good idea.

[Source: Skoda]