Bernhard Maier, CEO of Skoda, had just started his presentation aimed at the Car Of The Year judges when the electricity “falls out” and turns off his microphone, the high definition “video wall” and all the lighting in the room.
The Skoda leader doesn't lose his temper, makes an occasional joke, projects his voice and continues his reasoning as if it were nothing. He knows he won't get the help of graphics and videos, but the truth is, the numbers are all in his head.
We are in the “design hall” of the Skoda factory in Mladá Boleslav, a historic building in a traditional high-tech area.
place with history
Two centuries ago, the first steam engine was installed in a plant that then existed here. Skoda “only” has been here for 124 years. Perhaps because it is an old building, it has natural lighting and Maier can continue to say what he had prepared, starting by stating that Skoda wants to increase its current production of 1.25 million cars to two million/year over the next decade. Skoda wants to be a “global player”, of that there is no doubt.I don't have time to wait for the new factory. If it had more production capacity, last year it would have sold another 100,000 cars.
Skoda Specialties
The measure of trust placed by Volkswagen's directory in Skoda is very evident in the handing over to the Czech brand of responsibility for the development of the group's MPI engines (representing two million cars a year in markets outside Europe), manual gearboxes and of the drum brakes. The implementation of the MQB A0 platform in India is also the responsibility of Skoda.
new factory
The factory in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, is not enough to make the coveted two million, its capacity of 600 000 units/year is at its limit . It is the second largest factory in the group, just after Wolfsburg, and therefore the fifth largest car factory in the world.There is another smaller factory in the country, in Kvasiny, debiting 200 000 cars/year and the rest comes from the group's factories. Maier confirms that it has already been decided to build a new factory, ready in 2022, but, in the meantime, space has to be found in the group's factories, because “I don't have time to wait for the new factory. If it had more production capacity, last year it would have sold another 100,000 cars.”
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When the power returned, about an hour later, it was learned that there had been a cut across the city, due to works carried out by the local electricity distributor, Maier let it slip through his teeth: “150 cars were no longer produced. , I have to talk to them…”
Not everything can be said...
Skoda continues to expand rapidly, its “value for money” formula increasingly makes sense in the eyes of buyers. The latest plan to expand the range with five new models is almost halfway through: after the Scala and Kamiq were launched, it is now the turn of the Superb restyling, the launch of the Superb iV hybrid and the Citigoe iV electric.
Then it will be time to address the subject of the new MEB electric platform, but from here… I can't say anything else! I agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement regarding everything I saw and heard in Mladá Boleslav's “design hall” about the future, even the smartphone had to be left outside. And I will honor that commitment.
Future announced in Geneva
However, Maier had already announced at this year's Geneva Motor Show that Skoda has a plan for electrification, showing a concept car, the Skoda Vision iV which, according to the brand, is “a concrete vision that anticipates the first 100% electric Skoda , based on the group's MEB platform.”
Skoda Vision iV Concept will originate the Czech brand's first tram on MEB
At the Geneva Motor Show, Skoda wasn't sparse on details, saying the Vision iV debuts the “iV” subbrand, to be used in all future electrified vehicles of the brand. At 4,665 m long, the concept car was introduced as a four-door crossover coupe. The interior reflects the advantages of the MEB “skid platform” with immense space due to the advanced cabin. The dashboard also featured a new design.
Too many details revealed
Skoda detailed in Geneva the engine of the Vision iV, saying that it had two electric motors, four-wheel drive, 306 hp of combined maximum power and that it was 0-100 km/h in 5.9s. The announced battery was 83 kWh, capable of an autonomy of 500 km, according to the WLTP protocol and with 80% recharge in thirty minutes.We'll see what of this Vision iV will hold up for series production of the first electric Skoda built on the MEB platform, which is announced for 2020.
The entry into electric mobility
For now, Skoda's entry into electric mobility will be through two adapted models. THE citigoe iV it's the Superb iV.
In the first case, it is a 100% electric version of the Volkswagen up twin cityr! and SEAT Mii, but with a 36.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, which gives it a maximum range of 265 km . The engine has 61 kW of power (83 hp) and 210 Nm of maximum torque, with top speed limited to 130 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration advertised in 12.5s. It will go on sale in early 2020, but the price is not yet known.
In the case of the Superb iV, it is a plug-in hybrid version based on the restyling of the brand's top model, it has a 1.4 TSI gasoline engine and an electric motor, delivering a combined maximum power of 218 hp. In electric mode, the 13 kWh battery can 55 km range and there is a charging mode (by gasoline engine) in progress. It will reach the market in 2019.
But… what about the present?
The most obvious is the Superb restyling, which I had the opportunity to guide in the new Scout version. The Skoda men admit that the changes to the Superb we all know aren't many, just a new taller grille, LED array headlamps, a chrome bar at the rear and the brand written in full.
Inside, there are new decor details, digital dashboard and little else. But there was an increase in driving aids, with the inclusion of predictive cruise control, which uses signal reading and GPS to reduce speed when approaching turns. It also has an emergency parking function on the side of a motorway, in case of sudden driver illness and emergency braking in a city with predictive pedestrian protection.
Superb now in Scout
The version I drove was the Scout van, a 13-year-old tradition at Skoda but which had never made it to the Superb. It has an exterior rough-road package, with specific bumpers and a 15 mm higher ground clearance, mounting 18” wheels.
The interior has Scout decor details, including seat upholstery. The driving modes control has a “off-road” option and the central monitor has graphics and information for off-road driving.
In this first contact, it was only possible to drive on secondary roads, some with very demanding curves. The available engine was equipped with the new engine 2.0 TSI 272 hp and DSG box of seven relations. The other option is the 2.0 TDI of 190 hp , both only available with four-wheel drive.
Lots of space and comfort
First impressions were of heavily assisted steering and too light, even in the sportiest mode. The engine performs very well, as you would expect, and the seven-speed DSG gearbox is fast and consistent. The suspension proved to be very comfortable and traction is obviously never an issue. Dynamics don't have agility as its priority, the Superb Scout won't be famous for devouring corners like a GTI, of course.
But the 350 Nm of maximum torque allows it to disguise the 4862 mm in length very well.
Moreover, the cabin remains well built and there is plenty of space in the rear seats, while the trunk has a huge capacity of 660 l, having now gained a compartmented shelf, under the false base, to facilitate storage, one of the “simply” solutions clever” that the brand always cares about.
It arrives in Portugal in early 2020, but prices are not yet defined.
scala is the big bet
The program also planned to guide the new Scala, which will take the place of the old Rapid and is positioned closer to the Volkswagen Golf, despite being made based on the Polo platform, the MQB A0.
To start, I guided the version 1.0 TFSI of 115 hp , which showed the usual smoothness and availability of this petrol engine, which goes beautifully with the six-speed manual gearbox. Very good starting from low speeds and power in the intermediates, just being careful to leave sixth gear for the highway, because it's really long.
The road behavior is precise and predictable, with a good dose of agility and real differences between the driving modes, which change the damping in two levels, always sufficiently comfortable.
When arrives?
The Scala will go on sale in July, with prices starting at 21,800 euros (TSI of 95 hp) with a four-year (or 80,000 km) maintenance offer. There will also be a 150 hp 1.5 TSI version.
The steering wheel could have a little more adjustment in reach and the seat in height, but the driving position is not bad.
The cabin uses better quality materials than the previous Rapid, there is plenty of space in the rear seats, especially in length, and the trunk is 467 l. The optional glass roof makes the connection between the windscreen and the trunk lid, which is also covered with glass up close to the number plate, achieving a very good effect.
There was still an opportunity to guide the 1.6 115 hp TDI , which is a little noisier, as you'd expect on a Diesel, but has an equally quick response, even more so with the DSG box. And it has the advantage of lowering consumption by close to two liters every hundred kilometers.
trip to the past
Towards the end of a very busy program, there was a delicious trip to the brand's past, in a short road test at the wheel of a copy of the octavia from 1960. The model was produced between 1959 and 1964 in 309 020 units and various types of bodywork, including a van and the elegant two-door coupé I tried out.
The four-cylinder 1089 cm3 engine has only 40 hp at 4200 rpm , being powered by carburetor. But the four-speed gearbox with steering column lever is very short and easy to handle, giving it an unexpected vibrancy.
Of course the top speed of 110 km/h belongs to other times, but at 920 kg it was enough to transport a family in comfort.
Get on the classic “wave”
Without seat belts and with a “run” front seat, a huge steering wheel and excellent visibility, the feeling of being exposed to danger is far superior to a modern car. The instrument panel has a charm all of its own, albeit very simple. To turn on the turn signals you need to move a lever on the dashboard and to start the car you have to turn the key and then pull a bakelite button.
The engine is quite quiet and the suspension comfortable, but with little precision in controlling the masses over uneven road. But it's all a matter of getting used to driving a classic at this age. Worst of all is the steering, which is very heavy in maneuvers and in tighter turns, or roundabouts, and then very imprecise in a straight line, when approaching maximum speed.
The feeling of robustness of the bodywork and mechanics, with longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive, were the points that most impressed, showing that Skoda has known how to make good cars for a long time.
Conclusion
This exclusive program for Car Of The Year members managed to showcase a bit of Skoda's present, future and past, providing enough data to look at the brand's ambitions with all due respect. Within the Volkswagen group, the Czech Republic brand has made a truly remarkable journey and will not stop there, as the next few years should be able to prove.