Skoda Snowman Seven-Seater SUV Rendered

Skoda's Yeti is easily one of the most talented and tempting propositions in the small SUV/crossover sector, and its wide blend of qualities and more affordable price than much of its competition really put it at the front of the pack.

However, it seems that there is need and demand for a bigger off-roader, with seating capacity for seven. It has been speculated that Skoda is working on such a vehicle, yet it won`t necessarily be called Yeti. Aside from the possibility of it getting the name 'Grand Yeti', it is more likely to be called the Snowman.

If it turns out to be a real vehicle, it will most likely ride on a stretched version of the new VW group MQB platform, currently used to underpin the Golf, the SEAT Leon and the all-new Skoda Octavia.

From what we understand, the Snowman has pretty much the same concept behind it as Volkswagen's own CrossBlue concept, which previews a seven-seater SUV for the US market only. There is a very high likelihood that the two vehicles will be extremely similar (mechanically), for cost-cutting purposes, of course.

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Skoda Working on Seven-Seater Crossover

With a lineup of clearly differentiated vehicles that are also cheap-ish, but well built, Czech carmaker Skoda is now pondering in which direction it can grow. Careful consideration must be taken so as not to cannibalise sales from one model to another.

One direction Skoda is willing to go in is a bigger crossover. Practicality will be the main selling point of this flagship model of the crossover range, which will offer seating for seven people in three rows.

Skoda Chairman Winfried Vahland spoke to Auto Express magazine about the new model, and told them it will appeal to newer customers in China and Russia.

No additional information is available at the moment, buy it's likely the new Skoda will share its platform with the seven-seater crossover SUV that Volkswagen is developing for the US market.

The VW model was previewed earlier this week at the 2013 NAIAS under the name "CrossBlue Concept". We got a chance to see what it was all about and were impressed by the styling and the promise of efficient hybrid diesel power.

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Skoda Registers 6.8% Sales Increase in 2012

Skoda’s sales figure for 2012 almost hit the one million mark, but in the end stopped at 939,200 units sold. It represents a 6.8% increase over 2012 and the surpassing of their old record, of 879,200 units, back in 2011.

The rise was driven by strong sales in China (up 7.1% over 2011), which totaled 235,700 units sold by the end of the year. However, the biggest gain was registered in the UK, where sales went up an impressive 17.6%, while in Germany they managed to sell 3.6% more cars than in 2011. Now, Skoda is aiming high – at least 1.5 million units sold per year, by 2018, and a doubling of their China figure (500,000 sales planned).

Skoda Board Chairman Winfried Vahland said: “Currently 60 percent of Skoda’s sales come from the European market, [while] the remaining 40 percent are exports from other markets. In the future we predict markets outside of Europe to account for 60 percent [of our sales], or about 900,000 vehicles. According to my calculations, of these 900,000 vehicles over half will be sold in China."

Also, with models like the Citigo and the all-new Octavia, the appeal of the Skoda brand as a whole has never been greater, so there is definitely some substance behind the Czech manufacturer's optimism.

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2013 Skoda Octavia Hatchback Rendering

For some odd reason, Skoda seems to prefer sedan over hatchback all the time. Despite the popularity of the Vision D Concept, the Czech automaker never got round to putting a hatch on any of its newer models.

To be fair, the Rapid sedan will probably get a hatchback version within the next year or so. However, the Rapid is built on an affordable car philosophy, built on an the Fabia platform, not the newer MQB.

So we were curious to see what the new 2013 Octavia would look like without its last box. After all, it’s built on the same platform as one of the most popular hatchbacks of all time, the VW Golf.

This rendering created by Theophilus Chin is interesting because it makes use of a different hatchback design philosophy. The rear glass is sloped and the boot sheetmetal has a little kink, a bit like on the Astra G, giving the rear more character.

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Skoda Octavia Gets First Official Promo

The launch of the new Skoda Octavia is a very big deal for both the Czech automaker, and the entire European market as a whole. The car it replaces was hugely successful, with its excellent blend of qualities, and it managed to win over many badge-skeptics, who associated Skoda with their rather dodgy image from the 1980s, when their cars were nowhere near as good as they are now, in relation to the era and their competitors.

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Skoda Rapid production car previewed

Skoda has previewed the final look of its new Rapid production car in this series of official design sketches. The new five-door model blends saloon and hatchback bodystyles and will bridge the gap between Skoda’s Fabia and Octavia models.

The Rapid confirms Skoda’s new design language – to be rolled out into the wider range over the next couple of years – which is most evident in the heavily reworked nose that sets the newly monochrome badge back from the grille, with sharpened headlight lenses and similarly trapezoidal, oversized fog lights that are even wider than the Mission L concept’s.

The concept – which previewed the new Rapid at last year’s Frankfurt motor show – has had its lower front grille pattern rationalised into a more coherent octagon pattern, but the design is otherwise very close to the final look of the Rapid.

The Mission L’s Aston Martin-style pop-out door handles have been replaced with conventional cowled levers, but the piano black B-pillars are retained. As in Frankfurt, chrome touches are limited to the Skoda badges and front grille surround, unlike the much showier version of the Mission L seen on display in Beijing in April, reflecting the regional identity the Czech manufacturer has planned for different markets.

Speaking at the company’s Mladá Boleslav design centre near Pragu, Skoda design boss Jozef Kaban called the new look “elegant, but to the point and practical” and “a reduced but attractive design.” He hopes the design language’s simplicity will age gracefully, believing “less detail encourages long-term attractiveness.”

Interior design is less ambitious and largely reflects existing Skoda fayre, but the car’s long wheelbase allows exceptionally generous rear legroom, and torsion beam rear suspension helps create a cavernous boot space.

The Rapid is mooted to trump the current Octavia (which is only slightly longer overall) in both respects, and uses a stretched version of the current VW Polo’s platform. It’s expected that engine choices will be limited to sub-two-litre VW Group options to avoid excessive overlap with Octavia powertrains.

The production version is due to be unveiled this summer before going on sale by the end of the year.

via: autocar

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Skoda Superb Combi Gets Outdoor Look

 

Skoda wants to allow Superb Combi customers to also take their vehicle off the road, with the carmaker introducing the Outdoor design package for the vehicle. The Skoda Superb Combi Outdoor comes with plastic protections for the front and rear fascias, wheel wells and side skirts. In addition to that, the front bumper now uses round foglamps and a larger air intake.

The Outdoor package is offered for all engines, with both front- and all-wheel drive, with the exception of the GreenLine eco-focused version. The Czech automotive producer hasn’t mentioned anything about an increased ride height, so we can assume this keeps its normal level of 5.6 inches (142 mm).

Here’s what Skoda has to say about the development: “The SKODA Superb Combi will now hold its own even beyond paved roads. Effective immediately, customers may order SKODA’s flagship with a special ‘Outdoor’ design package.”

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