VW Group's Skoda Division Sets New Record in 2010 with 762,600 Sales

The once ailing Skoda brand is turning out to be a solid investment for the Volkswagen Group as the Czech automaker is breaking one sales record after the other. In the year that just passed on, Skoda Auto recorded is best-ever sales results delivering 762,000 vehicles, which represents an increase of 11.5% over 2009 when it sold 684,200 units. Furthermore, the company broke the threshold of three quarters of a million vehicles sold in a single year for the first time in its history.

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A Painted History of Skoda

Just today, we learned that Skoda delivered a record number of vehicles in the first nine months of 2010, increasing its operating profit by a whopping 64%. This is what most people know about the Czech automaker; that it has been a wild success since Volkswagen took over the reins of the company. But there are others -myself included- who think the real glory of Skoda lies in its past.

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Skoda Introduces New 1.6 TDI to Superb Range

The VW Group's new 1.6 TDI turbo diesel is making its way to the options lists of the European market Skoda Superb saloon and Estate / Combi (station wagon) models, where it will replace the 1.9 TDI.

While the smaller displacement 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel unit produces the same output figures as the 1.9 TDI with 105-horsepower and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque, it promises to offer improved diesel mileage and lower CO2 emissions.

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New Skoda Superb Fastback Design Concept

With Volkswagen and Audi both featuring what marketers and advertising agencies like to call "four-door coupe" models in their range (the Passat CC and A5 Sportback respectively), one wonders why the German group hasn't added a similar model to their more mainstream brands, Seat and Skoda.

Czech architect and designer Pavel Hrubyi decided to take matters in his own hands (or so to speak) and draw a four-door coupe, sportback, fastback or whatever else you would like to call it, proposal for the Skoda brand based on the firm's range-topping Superb saloon.

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Skoda: Powertrain Updates for 2011MY Octavia, Yeti and Superb

European market Skoda models Yeti, Octavia and Superb will be getting powertrain updates for the 2011 model year starting from the end of this month. In detail:

The engine portfolio for the Yeti crossover has been extended with the VW Group's 122HP 1.4-liter TSI petrol unit combined with manual transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD), as well as a 140HP 2.0 TDI CR DPF turbo diesel with automatic DSG transmission and FWD, and the more potent 170HP 2.0 TDI CR DPF turbo diesel with manual transmission and 4WD.

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Skoda Superb Range Enhanced with More Fuel Efficient and Cleaner 2.0 Turbo Diesel

A revised 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that incorporates the latest Common Rail diesel technology and produces 140 horsepower is replacing the 2.0 TDI of the same output in the Skoda Superb saloon and Combi models.

The Volkswagen Group's Czech brand said that with the new engine, combined fuel consumption for the Superb 2.0 TDI CR has improved by 4.4mpg to 52.3mpg UK (5.4 lt/100km or 43.5mpg US), while CO2 emissions have been reduced by 12g/km to 143g/km.

At least in what concerns the UK market, these improvements have been made without affecting the Superb's price, which starts from £18,205.

The new Superb 2.0 TDI CR 140HP is available for order in Britain from 18th February with a choice of six-speed manual or twin-clutch DSG transmissions, in hatchback or estate bodystyles and in S, SE or Elegance trim.

The latest diesel engine option joins the existing 1.9 TDI PD 105HP and 2.0 TDI CR 170HP diesel engines that are offered in the Superb line-up.

Skoda Superb Combi: Live Photo Gallery from the Frankfurt Motor Show

The all-new Skoda Superb Combi, a station wagon version of the Czech automaker's flagship saloon, was launched at the Frankfurt motor show. At 4,838 mm long, 1,817 mm wide and 1,510 mm tall, the estate retains the same dimensions with the conventional Superb but because it is taller at the back, its luggage compartment volume has been increased to an echoing 633 liters (+68lt over the sedan), rising to 1,865-liters with the rear seats folded down.

As a first for a Skoda car, the Combi offers an optional electrically controlled tailgate that also automatically moves the boot cover to its middle position to free up more space. Other gizmos include the KESSY system for starting, unlocking and locking the vehicle without using a conventional key, an optional electrically controlled two-piece panoramic sunroof and the cool-looking fin-shaped roof antenna.

The engine range of the estate is identical with that of the Superb saloon comprising of three gasoline units, a 1.4 TSI with 125HP, a 1.8 TSI with 160HP and the top-of-the-line 3.6 FSI V6 that makes 260HP and is offered with a four-wheel drive system, plus two 2.0-liter diesel engines producing 140HP and 175HP.

All engines are linked to five or six-speed manual gearboxes while the VW Group's DSG dual clutch auto transmission will be optional.

Skoda Superb Estate: Mega Photo Gallery with 85 Images Hits the Web

We're only a few day away from the official unveiling of the all-new Skoda Superb Estate (Combi) at the Frankfurt Motor Show but a complete gallery of the mid-size station wagon is already doing rounds on the internet. The more practical version of the Superb replaces the liftback-saloon's innovative 'twindoor' split hatch with a sloping tailgate that makes the car look less frumpy than one would imagine and a new rear-end design boasting a pair of Cayenne-esque tail lamps.

The Estate retains the same exact length, wheelbase and width with the conventional Superb, but because it is taller at the back it comes with a massive boot that can accommodate a whopping 633 liters of luggage (up to the height of the rear seat), an increase of 68 liters over the saloon model.

When the Estate goes on sale in Europe in the beginning of 2010, the line-up will comprise of three petrols and two diesels from the current Superb range, including a 125HP 1.4-liter TSI, a 260HP 3.6-liter V6 FSI plus the company's first common rail diesel, the 2.0 TDI CR with 175 horsepower. The engines will be coupled to manual gearboxes and optionally, to the VW Group's DSG twin-clutch transmission.

Source: Skoda , Via: Roadlook