Our spy photographers have caught a very interesting prototype of a Super Scout testing. We say interesting because this particular Skout has parts that used to be produced by a Czech company that modifies Skoda cars, but this a prototype straight from Skoda itself. The prototype was caught testing together with a mule for the production Vision D.
Rumors of a Superb Scout model have been floating around for awhile, but since Volkswagen is in the middle of their automotive domination and currently have the say in a lot of vehicles and their unveilings, the Skoda had to be out on the backburner until V-Dub’s Passat Alltrack was shown off first. Power for the Superb Scout will also be teetering on what’s good for the Passat, so expect it to carry the 140 HP TDI engine and not the 170 HP TDI. In all actuality, the Superb Scout should share the power setups of the Superb 4x4.
The Skoda Superb Scout in these images barely has any camouflage, so expect it to be launched by the end of the year.
The history of the Superb dates back to 1934 when Skoda first unveiled the original model. Then, in 1942, the model was dropped, never to be seen again until almost 60 years later when the marque decided it was time for a revival. Now the model is in its second generation and Skoda is making a few changes for the 2012 model year.
The facelift Superb was recently caught testing in the European Alps, and judging by the camouflage it’s donning, expect to see only a minor update to the car’s front and rear ends. The vehicle’s front and rear bumpers will get modified slightly, and there will also be new LED headlights.
Nothing will change in terms of powering the Skoda, so expect the same line of straight-four engines in petrol and diesel varieties, ranging from 1.4 L to 3.6 L. However, expect small changes to improve on fuel efficiency.
The facelift Skoda Superb will make its world debut in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale shortly after.
One of the most understated and conservative brands on the market has released a couple of new photos for their latest concept vehicle, the Mission L. The name of the car sounds far more exciting than the concept looks, but you really didn’t expect a whole lot from Skoda, did you?
The only problem is that there doesn’t appear be anything ’concept-ish’ about it. We’ve seen the front end before from the 2011 Design Concept that was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
Nevertheless, the five-door hatchback concept was finally unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is being looked at as the possible inspiration for the next-generation Octavia or even a new C-segment model for Skoda that will slot in between the Fabia and the Octavia. Possible markets for the car will include Europe, as well as Russia, and maybe even China and India in the future.
Speaking of its less-than-stellar concept looks, the Mission L is actually more production ready than its designation suggests. It’s got some nice elements to it, including a new grille set-up we first saw on the VisionD Concept and the running LED lights on the car’s headlights.
“We have taken a very pure approach to this design study; we have structured the surfaces simply, but impressively,” said Eckhard Scholz, Skoda Board of Directors Member for Technological Development.
“The car has a strong, sporty look which conveys a beautiful simplicity and a youthful and contemporary appearance. Many people look for clean, minimalistic lines, and the Mission L concept offers all that.”
Engines offerings for the Mission L will depend on the market it’s being sold in, but all indications point to a 1.6-liter engine that produces modest output numbers.
People usually associate the name Skoda with a family sedan that focuses more on fuel economy and not so much on performance. Those people are going to get the shock of their lives as Skoda is preparing a special Octavia vRS sedan for the world famous Bonneville Speed Week on August 13-20, 2011.
The Octavia vRS was built to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its iconic vRS performance flagship badge and to achieve breaking the 200 mph barrier. Skoda has done this with the Octavia’s standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI petrol engine by swapping the standard turbo with a specially designed turbocharger from respected component firm Garret. Adding this turbocharger has dramatically altered the vehicle’s output by adding a tremendous 380bhp and 170 lb-ft of torque for a total of 600 HP and 26-28 PSI of boost pressure.
As if the engine updates weren’t enough, Skoda has also spiffed up the exterior of the Octavia with some aerodynamic updates. The vehicle has received a new sub-frame which houses a race prepared intercooler, a reinforced roll cage, a parachute, fire extinguishers, and a window cage. It was then lowered almost 80mm closer to the ground.
Robert Hazelwood, Director for Škoda UK, said: "The 10-year relationship between the UK and the vRS badge has been extremely successful. This is a landmark anniversary and going to Bonneville is a fitting tribute." He adds, "It’s an ambitious project which might surprise a few people, but Škoda is all about engineering excellence and this car is pushing that to new limits."
UPDATE 08/16/11: We already said that Skoda is the one of the last brands that you’ll associate with breaking 200 mph, but this Octavia vRS proved us wrong in a hurry when it recently hit a top speed of 202.15 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The event corresponded with the brand’s UK branch celebrating the 10th anniversary of the vRS performance badge. Kudos to Skoda for the remarkable achievement; maybe next time they’ll start producing supercars that can routinely eclipse 200 mph on any given day. Just a thought.
Skoda is celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the Monte Carlo Rally and the 110th year anniversary of the brand’s motorsport efforts with the launch of the special edition Fabia Monte Carlo Edition. This new version made its first public appearance at Rallye Monte Carlo back in January and has now been introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
While we’re not completely enamored with these type of cars, we do have to give the boys over at Skoda some serious love for the way they designed this special edition Fabia.The powertrain may not be on the powerful side, but Skoda certainly makes up for it by designing the special edition Fabia with a very nice red and black two-tone finish, highlighting an aggressive rally-inspired exterior that completely masks the subdued engine under its bonnet.
It may not be the fastest car out of the block, but for a car that you can take to the city for some nice, little joy-riding, the Skoba Fabia Monte Carlo is about as good an option as any B-car segment vehicle.
Details on the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo after the jump.
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