Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia Scout "Design Study"

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]

PRESS RELEASE:
ŠKODA AUTO AT IAA FRANKFURT

• New-generation Fabia Combi
• Fabia Scout design concept
• GreenLine – brand new model line

Škoda Auto is going to stage a world premiere of the new Fabia Combi at the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA 2007). After the five-door hatchback presented at the Geneva Motor Show this spring, the Fabia portfolio is now being extended with a versatile estate version.

Sharing the same key design elements as the existing new-generation Fabia model, the ambition of the new Fabia Combi is to become a stylish family car. Compared with its predecessor, the vehicle's outside dimensions have grown slightly to offer more inside room, particularly in the rear passenger compartment. The size of the boot is remarkably larger, too (basic volume 480 l; 1,460 l with split rear seats folded down). With these parameters, the new Fabia Combi is prepared to compete even with vehicles that are one class higher. Altogether six engines are available for the Combi, three petrol and three diesel units, from 51 kW to 77 kW (70 - 105 HP).

Škoda's presentation is also going to include a Fabia Scout concept car that is based on the new Fabia Combi and has a number of "Scout" design features of the already mass-produced Octavia Scout and Roomster Scout vehicles.

Another product to receive a world premiere at IAA 2007 is GreenLine, a new model line designed to offer highly economical and environmentally-friendly operation and maximum possible minimisation of emissions of solid particles and CO2. The first vehicles of this brand new line are the Fabia GreenLine and the Fabia Combi GreenLine (1.4 TDI PD DPF/59 kW). Although the choice of extras has not been limited substantially, the new cars' CO2 emissions do not exceed 110 g/km. Another GreenLine model is the Octavia Combi FlexFuel, a vehicle that is going to be launched in the Swedish market later this year. This new vehicle is equipped with an E85-ready 1.6 MPI/75 kW engine (E85 is a fuel mixture made up of bio-ethanol (85 %) and petrol (15 %).

Besides the new products mentioned above, Škoda Auto is going to present a complete portfolio of its Model Year 2008 vehicles, including the Fabia, the Roomster, the Octavia and the Superb.

For the very first time in its history, Škoda Auto produced over half a million vehicles last year. The production plants in the Czech Republic plus a further six countries produced altogether 556,347 cars. The Company currently produces its vehicles in the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, India and China. Employing over 27,000 people worldwide, this dynamically growing brand is planning to continue increasing its sales volume and reach 630,000 vehicles this year.

Please visit Škoda Auto's presentation at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in Hall 3.0, position A17. Škoda Auto's press conference is scheduled for 11 September, 2007, 11:40 AM.