After launching the facelifted Octavia sedan and estate at the Paris Auo Show late last year, Skoda has now updated its range topping Octavia RS (or vRS for the UK market) that’s available in both five-door liftback and station wagon variants. Changes on the vehicle that could be described as a more practical and spacious version of the previous generation Golf GTI as the two models share the same platform and 200HP 2.0 TSI gasoline (there’s also a 170HP 2.0 TDI diesel engine), concern the sheetmetal as well as the chassis..

On the outside, the 2009 Octavia RS models feature a redesigned front mask with an RS logo and reshaped headlamps that, for the first time in the RS version, can be fitted with xenon units combined with an adaptive front lighting module. The RS also gets restyled bumpers and tail lamps while Skoda also offers a new metallic paint (Anthracite) and 18-inch Neptune alloy wheels. In the interior, Skoda has revised the Octavia RS’s trim while the Climatronic air conditioning system gets new controls.

(more…)

Along with the updated 2009 Octavia RS saloon and estate models, Skoda also released the first official photos of its facelifted Octavia Scout. The new crossover-ish version of the Octavia features a redesigned front grille and headlamps, plus body-colored side mouldings, and restyled bumpers and tail lights. Unlike the rest of the models in Skoda’s Scout range, the Octavia is equipped with VW Group’s all-wheel drive system that features a fourth-generation Haldex clutch, which can transfer as much as 86 percent of the torque to a single wheel.

(more…)

Compared to the glitz and glamour of some Paris Motor Show stands, Skoda’s was relatively understated – surprising given the facelifted Octavia was handed its debut.

Unveiled in hatch and estate form, the car has fresh headlights and a new bumper that bring the family car’s nose into line with the rest of Skoda’s range.

Under the bonnet, new 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre TSI engines follow the downsizing trend aimed at making cars greener yet more powerful. The turbo and supercharged engines should provide plenty of power for the facelifted Octavia and are mated to seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearboxes. 
(more…)

Good news for Skoda as Volkswagen’s Czech unit is on course to reach its 2008 sales target of 700,000 vehciles worldwide by the end of 2008. “After three months, we are on target and should reach this figure at the end of the year,” said Skoda spokesman Jaroslav Cerny, without giving any more details though.

Skoda, which has production sites in the Czech Republic, China, Russia, India and Ukraine managed to sell 630,032 cars in 2007 contributing to the VW Group’s full-year profit by approximately 13 percent.

Via: Yahoo