Skoda Superb Combi

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.

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Skoda Plant New 1.2 TSI Turbo Petrol Engine

In celebration of the 110th anniversary of engine building at its Mladá Boleslav plant in the Czech Republic, Skoda has announced that it will manufacture the VW Group's latest generation 1.2-liter TSI gasoline engine. The new four-cylinder power unit features both direct fuel injection and turbocharging technology delivering an output of 105HP at 5,000 rpm and 175Nm (129 lb-ft) of peak torque available between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm.

It can be combined with either a six-speed manual transmission or the VW Group's 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission.

"This brand new TSI engine provides a unique opportunity of combining environmental friendliness with a well-balanced driving performance," says Skoda Auto BOD Chairman Reinhard Jung. "With substantially lower CO2 figures, this new engine needs to be seen as a contribution to a significant reduction of average emission volumes in our cars."

The new powerplant makes its Skoda debut in the new Yeti compact SUV, and is also offered in various Audi, Volkswagen and Seat vehicles.

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Skoda issues Of Frankfurt Show

Czech automaker Skoda, has released a shadowy shot of the new Superb Estate that is scheduled to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September. The newest addition to the Superb range promises to offer more luggage space and increased practicality over the five-door model with its signature twin tailgate that has sold more than forty-two thousand units, in just over a year since it was first launched in Europe.

The Volkswagen Group owned company did not disclose further details on the station-wagon model but buyers should expect a similar engine line-up to the standard Superb which includes three gasoline and three diesel units coupled to manual gearboxes and DSG twin-clutch transmissions.

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VW Group Confirms New Minicars for VW Seat and Skoda Brands

The Volkswagen Group has revealed that it will introduce a new family of small cars based on the Up! prototypes for the VW, Seat and Skoda brands. Europe's largest carmaker announced that it has also taken the decision to build all variants of the minicar that are known as "New Small Family" at its Bratislava plant in Slovakia. The first examples of the city cars that will be available in 3-door and 5-door versions will roll off the production lines at the beginning of 2011.

"Our team at Volkswagen in Slovakia is ideally prepared to provide the flexibility required for the production of the New Small Family. Four brands are already produced successfully under one roof at our plant in Bratislava today," said Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.

The first study for these economical city cars, the three -door Up!, made its world debut at the Frankfurt Show in 2007 followed a few weeks later by a five-door iteration called Space-Up! at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show while VW also introduced a third variant at the 2007 Los Angeles Show called the Space-Up! Blue.

Even though the Up! concept studies featured a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, it remains to be seen if the VW Group retains this architecture on the production versions.

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