The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Skoda plans five-door coupe
Date: 01 July 2009 | Author: Hugh Hunston
Skoda's 2% fleet sector ambitions will be underpinned by a new coupe-style, five-door hatchback, which will have a strong business car role within the brand's expanded seven-model portfolio.
Described by a senior Skoda source, as "stunning and part of our brand elevation" the coupe profile hatchback slots between the Fabia and next generation Octavia, which will become slightly larger. The coupe is due to market in 2012 or 2013.
It will harness the VW Group's Golf platform and a growing variety of smaller capacity, normally aspirated and turbocharged FSI petrol engines plus common rail diesels and the DSG transmission system.
But the need to be price competitive in the lower medium Ford Focus/Vauxhall Astra territory means Skoda will not adopt the Superb's expensive dual hatchback/saloon tailgate system.
Robert Hazelwood, Skoda's brand director in the UK, said: "There are bound to be new areas we operate in as the seven-car line up comes on stream within five years."
Skoda's variation on the VW Up small city car is due in 2011 in three and five-door forms, complementing the five-door only Fabia. Next summer the VRs version of the Fabia, which switches to a 174PS, 1.4-litre TFSi petrol engine from its predecessor's diesel power, will only be available with a DSG paddle shift gearbox.
