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. 
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As a world premiere, Škoda Auto is going to present a facelifted version of the Octavia at this year’s Paris Motor Show (2-19 October, 2008).

Produced or assembled in altogether eight countries, the Octavia is Škoda’s bestseller. The rejuvenated version is now coming with a more emotionally powerful design. “The Octavia has always had a special position among Škoda vehicles. It is our most successful model, very popular worldwide. Now it has gone through a complete transformation that is apparent in the new interior and exterior, as well as the applied technology,” said Dr. Eckhard Scholz, BOD Member responsible for technological development.
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Skoda reinvented the family MPV Roomster 2 using a new Family pack which includes lot of new features with no extra price. The new kit received a panoramic sunroof, acoustic rear parking sensors, metallic paint, sunset glass and electric rear windows.

The new Roomster 2 features 15-inch ‘Avior’ alloy wheels, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, electric front windows, remote central locking, curtain airbags and a trip computer all included as standard equipment at a price of just £11,630 ($19,956 or €14,969).
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Skoda released the Fabia Blue Line Special Edition and it is available for the moment only on the British market in a 500 pieces limited edition. The new model features a white roof, new alloys and lowered suspension for a more sporty and trendy looks.

At the interior, the Fabia Blue Line got the “Magic” upholstery, climate control air conditioning. Storage boxes under the front seats and a glasses storage space.

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Few surprises are in store – it follows the formula set down by the Roomster and Octavia Scouts. So it’s based on the estate version of the new Fabia, but has only ‘visual off-road features’. That means no four-wheel drive to you and me, so it’s another weird faux-by-four. Skoda has concentrated on plastic cladding and chromed roofrails on this concept car that’s surely a dead cert to enter production.
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It was way back in 2000, when the first Fabia was launched, as part of the ‘new’ Skoda line-up. It certainly put a stop to the jokes but far from being an amusement, the company’s makeover succeeded.

The Fabia’s part in the revival of Skoda, or should that be resurgence, amounts to over 2million units exiting the production line since its launch, which serves to indicate the company was and still is, doing something right. In fact the Fabia won no less than seven important awards in the first two years and a good few more since then.

Solid build quality, plenty of interior space and practicality were the supermini’s main qualities and people soon came to realise that any Skoda, represented Volkswagen quality at a bargain price.

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Skoda has reeled in rally legend Carlos Sainz to further the development of its Fabia Super 2000 machine. The Spaniard has joined an extensive test programme for the car, which is being conducted under the watchful eye of former racer and Volkswagen Motor Sport Department boss Hans-Joachim Stuck.

Sainz was impressed with the Fabia 200 and said: “I have got to know the Skoda Fabia really well and I can see a huge step forward as far as the development of the competition version is concerned.”
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In April Skoda’s market share reached its highest level since December 2000. Registrations for the month were 4,137 vehicles, representing a total market share of 2.36 per cent for the Czech manufacturer. This exceeded the 2.26 per cent market share recorded by the company in February this year.

So far in 2008, Skoda has registered 14,367 new vehicles, representing market share of 1.67 per cent for the year. This is a significant improvement on 2007, when the company’s year-to-date market share was 1.53 per cent by April. This impressive performance is ample proof that the quality of Skoda’s vehicles is making a mark on British consumers.
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