Autoblog

Skoda nixes prospect of building a sportscar

Noah Joseph — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Skoda

We have to admit we were more than a little bit intrigued when Skoda showed up at Wörthersee this year with the Fabia RS 2000 roadster you see here. The concept essentially took the company's S2000 rally machine, gave it a fresh coat of Kermit and chopped off the roof... with four seats and four doors still intact. But could such a vehicle ever be produced?

According to the latest reports from across the pond, the answer, quite simply, is "no". Apparently Skoda is fixated on reaching its sales targets, and while something could certainly be said for a halo vehicle - particularly one based on one of its top-selling volume models - the Czech automaker is not keen on distracting itself from the task at hand. (We'll just have to admire it from the updated high-res image gallery, then.)

That's a bit of a shame, especially since the VW subsidiary's line-up is, well, rather conservative. But don't go thinking that Skoda is about to give up on performance-oriented models altogether, though: the company will continue developing and producing its vRS line of hot hatches and sedans, like the Fabia, Octavia and even the upcoming production version of the MissionL concept debuted in Frankfurt. A Superb vRS performance sedan, however, is reportedly not in the cards, as the executive saloon is just too big to fit the bill.

Skoda nixes prospect of building a sportscar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skoda unveils dramatic Fabia RS 2000 roadster concept at Wörthersee

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Skoda, Design/Style

Skoda Fabia RS 2000 concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Volkswagen Group's annual GTI-Treffen festival on the shores of Lake Wörthersee in Austria may be named for VW's iconic tuned Golf, but by now - in its 30th rendition - it's turned into a multi-marque celebration of the hot hatch. Case in point: the A1 Clubsport Quattro concept unveiled there this year by Audi. And now Skoda has joined in on the action with a hatch-based custom of its own.

To create the dramatic Fabia RS 2000 concept you see here, Skoda has taken its existing Fabia RS hot hatch, lopped off the roof and fitted a widebody kit housing 18-inch powder-coated alloys for a stance similar to its S2000 rally counterpart. The brightwork has also been blacked out, the open-air cabin fitted with four individual buckets with racing harnesses and carbon-fiber trim, and the hood louvered to vent the 200+hp 2.0-liter twin-turbo four.

All in all, a rather dramatic take on a bread-and-butter hatchback that blends the best of a road-going rally car with a four-door convertible. But while its occupants may enjoy the wind in their hair, the Wörthersee show stand is about probably as much daylight as this concept will ever see. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Skoda unveils dramatic Fabia RS 2000 roadster concept at Wörthersee

Skoda unveils dramatic Fabia RS 2000 roadster concept at Wörthersee originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skoda rallies to the cause with Monte Carlo edition Fabia

Noah Joseph — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:14:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Skoda

Škoda Fabia Monte Carlo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Some terms we use in the automotive lexicon are absolute. Others are relative. Take "subtle" for example. Most wouldn't call painting a car bright red "subtle", but when you compare it to the last rally-edition Skoda Fabia we reported on, that's exactly what this is. Whereas the S2000 edition Fabia vRS sported full livery taken from the company's IRC-winning S2000 Fabia, this one's decidedly more low-key, but not without its dose of flair.

The Monte Carlo edition celebrates 100 years of the namesake rally - and 110 years of Skoda's motorsport program - with a red and black paint scheme. While the body is painted bright red, everything else has been blacked out, from the roof to the 17" alloys, including the mirror housings, grille and smoked headlamps. The red and black theme continues inside with either black or red and black seats, complemented by black roofliner, and color-keyed steering wheel, shifter and handbrake lever.

Based on the SE specification and available with a range of engines from 1.2 to 1.6 liters, the Fabia Monte Carlo will make its debut at the Monegasque rally later this month. Details after the jump with photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo

[Source: Skoda]

Continue reading Skoda rallies to the cause with Monte Carlo edition Fabia

Skoda rallies to the cause with Monte Carlo edition Fabia originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skoda graduates to WRC with Super 2000 Fabia

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Skoda

Skoda Fabia S2000 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Of all the names you might associate with rallying - Lancia, Audi, Subaru, Mitsubishi - Skoda might not rank all that high, but they probably should. The Czech automaker took home top honors in this year's Intercontinental Rally Challenge, and on the back of its success, is graduating to the World Rally Championship.

Well, almost. Skoda won't be competing next season in the top class of the WRC, but will be taking its Super 2000-spec Fabia to the S-WRC. The new category inaugurated for the 2010 season allows Super 2000 cars to compete against each other on the top rally stages in the world.

Teaming up with Red Bull, Skoda will have two teams in the S-WRC class next season: one factory outfit and another privateer entry fielded by Baumschlager Rally Racing. Parallel to the world titles which Red Bull Racing took home this year in Formula One, the Red Bull Rally Team took top honors in the inaugural S-WRC standings. Teamed up with Skoda, they could have a dynamite combination on their hands. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Skoda Fabia S2000

[Source: Skoda]

Continue reading Skoda graduates to WRC with Super 2000 Fabia

Skoda graduates to WRC with Super 2000 Fabia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Škoda Fabia RS to debut at Wörthersee 2010

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 09 May 2010 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows, Skoda

It's no secret that we're fans of the Škoda Fabia S2000 rally car. The good news for us Europeans is that VW's Czech brand has decided to integrate some of that racing DNA (at least appearance-wise) into a Fabia RS model scheduled to debut at Wörthersee 2010.

This is Škoda's first visit to the big GTI gathering, and they've obviously come prepared. A green roof and alloys aping those used on the S2000 racer are the Fabia RS's showcase elements, along with a brutal lower front lip, smoked glass all around, darkened chrome work, a rear spoiler, and side skirts. The Fabia RS joins Volkswagen goodies like the Golf GTI Adidas, which will also be formally unveiled, and it will be on display from May 14-16.

[Source: Autoweek.nl (translated)]

Škoda Fabia RS to debut at Wörthersee 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 May 2010 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refreshed Skoda Fabia and Roomster revealed ahead of Geneva

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:16:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Skoda

Facelifted 2010 Škoka Fabia and Roomster - Click above for high-res image gallery

In just a little bit now there's going to be a party in Switzerland called the Geneva Motor Show, and Škoda is in on the BYOB action. The Czech brand will show off the facelifted Fabia, Fabia Estate and Roomster, along with their new engines. Both models get new grilles and so-called "3D-shaped headlamps" for "a more dynamic look" and to emphasize the width of the cars.

The power behind those new horizontals will be a new engine portfolio of four gas-powered units and two diesels that start at 60 horsepower and top out at 105. One of those gas engines, the 1.2-liter TSI with 105 hp, runs through a 7-speed DSG 'box and returns 53.3 imperial miles per gallon (44.4 U.S. mpg). Follow the jump for the complete specs, and have a look at the two cars in the photos below.

Gallery: Facelifted Skoda Fabia and Roomster for Geneva 2010

[Source: Škoda]

Continue reading Refreshed Skoda Fabia and Roomster revealed ahead of Geneva

Refreshed Skoda Fabia and Roomster revealed ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dude, where's my car? UK artist creates invisible Skoda Felicia

John Neff — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Sara Watson's invisible car art - Click above for gallery of images

When the separate disciplines of art and autos intersect, some wicked cool things can happen. Case in point is this Skoda Felicia, which 22-year-old artist Sara Watson (she's a dead ringer for a healthy, human Lindsay Lohan) has spray painted to blend in with the parking lot and front of her studio. The Felicia, itself a pretty invisible car to begin with, magically disappears when viewed from just the right angle like the bridge that Indy took a leap of faith to cross in The Last Crusade or those chalk drawings done on the street by Julian Beever. The beat up car was donated to Watson by Recycling Lives, because there's no better way to demonstrate recycling than to spray paint something invisible and watch people bang into it, and it took the young artist three weeks of her life to complete. Time well spent, we say.

Gallery: Sara Watson's invisible car art

[Source: Telegraph.co.uk]

Dude, where's my car? UK artist creates invisible Skoda Felicia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Skoda Fabia becomes a Scout, goes camping

Noah Joseph — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Skoda Fabia Scout

When the Volkswagen Group and all its many subsidiaries roll through Switzerland in a couple of weeks, the new Audi A4 allroad quattro and Saab 9-3X won't be the only ruggedized wagons in town, as renderings of the new Skoda Fabia Scout have surfaced.

Based on the existing Fabia Kombi wagon, the jacked-up Fabia joins Scout versions of the Octavia and Roomster as well as the new Yeti crossover that Skoda will also be unveiling in production form at the Geneva Motor Show. What sets the Fabia Scout apart from its street-bound counterparts is the body-cladding and bigger wheels, so don't go poking around underneath for an all-wheel-drive system. Six different engines - three gasoline and three diesels - are on offer, along with a utile 1460 liters of cargo room with the rear seats folded flat.

Gallery: Skoda Fabia Scout

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Geneva Preview: Skoda Fabia becomes a Scout, goes camping originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia GreenLine

Alex Nunez — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Europe, Green, Hatchback

Click images for photo gallery

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]

Gallery: Skoda Fabia GreenLine

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia GreenLine

Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia GreenLine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia Scout "Design Study"

Alex Nunez — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Wagon, Europe

Click image for photo gallery

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]

Gallery: Skoda Fabia Scout

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia Scout "Design Study"

Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia Scout "Design Study" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Motor Show: Skoda's rally-ready S2000 concept

Alex Nunez — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback

Click image for hi-res photo gallery

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

Continue reading Geneva Motor Show: Skoda's rally-ready S2000 concept

Geneva Motor Show: Skoda's rally-ready S2000 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skoda unveils new Fabia

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show

Although Skoda won't debut it until the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007, the VW offshoot wanted to share what it has up its sleeves. The new second-generation Fabia promises to be "the finest Czech export since the writings of Franz Kafka and pilsner lager." Their words, not ours. We agree, however, that it looks like a fun little runabout. None of the available engines will make a Mazdaspeed3 shake in its treads, but with up to 105 hp in such a small statue, it should be sprightly. Certainly the styling, while a bit conservative, is fresh and fun. With updated engines (7 of them!) and a newly available 6-speed tiptronic transmission offered, the Fabia will probably continue to draw buyers in this segment. Full release after the jump.

[Source: Skoda Auto]

Continue reading Skoda unveils new Fabia

Skoda unveils new Fabia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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?koda to Goodwood for the first time

Alex Nunez — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe

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]

Continue reading ?koda to Goodwood for the first time

?koda to Goodwood for the first time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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