Autoesque

This year’s European Car of the Year result was close, with the top three contenders separated by only 18 points.

A sporty-looking Monte Carlo trim grade is now available for the fourth-generation Škoda Fabia.

Škoda has unveiled the Enyaq Coupé iV, which heralds the brand’s first pure-electric vRS high-performance model.

104,932 new cars were registered in Ireland during 2021. Although that figure represented a healthy rise of 18.8% compared to 2020’s total of 88,325, it was still short of the 117,109 deliveries achieved in pre-pandemic 2019.

Electric vehicles dominate the 2022 European Car of the Year finalist list. In fact, six of the seven nominees – which were chosen by a jury vote – feature battery-electric powertrains.

Compared to its predecessor, the all-new 2022 Fabia is significantly larger. Overall length has increased by 111 mm (4.4”) to 4,108 mm (161.7”), while the car is 48 mm (1.9”) wider than before.

Four years after it first arrived at Škoda dealers, the Kodiaq SUV has received a series of updates.

As part of its India 2.0 product strategy, Škoda has introduced the Kushaq. At 4,221 mm (13’ 10”) long and 1,760 mm (5’ 9”) wide, this new SUV is about the same size as the B-segment Kamiq that’s currently sold in Europe.

Škoda has released some design sketches that show both the exterior and interior of its upcoming Kushaq.

A jury comprising 59 motoring journalists from 22 European countries has decided the winner of the 2021 European Car of the Year contest.

First revealed in 1968, the Škoda 1203 went on to become Czechoslovakia’s most popular small commercial vehicle. Panel van, minibus, ambulance and flat-bed versions were all available during a production run that lasted for almost three decades.

This year’s European Car of the Year jurors clearly aren’t very keen on German premium brands. A combined total of seven models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz appeared on the candidates list , but all have been eliminated from the contest following the first voting round.

By the end of the first quarter, it was already evident that new car demand and supply were both going to be severely affected by the pandemic. Indeed, figures just published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show a UK registrations total of only 1,631,064 units for the entire year, the worst annual performance since 1992.

Škoda has confirmed launch prices and specifications for the all-new Enyaq iV. Customers will be able to place orders later this year, ahead of deliveries beginning in spring 2021.

Škoda’s first pure-electric SUV is going to be launched next month. Named Enyaq iV, it’s based on the same MEB modular platform that already underpins the Volkswagen ID.3 and several other models.

Following the release of some teaser sketches a few months ago, Škoda has revealed the finished Slavia concept. This two-door, two-seat roadster – which is based on the Scala compact hatchback – was designed and built by trainees at the Škoda Academy in Mladá Boleslav.

Some drivers need a modicum of off-road capability, but they don’t want the bulk of an SUV. For them, ‘lifestyle’ estate cars like the new Octavia Scout provide a perfect solution.

Škoda has announced prices and specifications for its all-new Octavia, which is being offered in both hatchback and estate guises.

Two Škoda Kodiaq vRS all-wheel drive SUVs have been acquired by The Air Ambulance Service. The registered charity – which covers Derbyshire / Leicestershire / Rutland with one helicopter and Warwickshire / Northamptonshire with another – will use them for rapid emergency response when flying isn’t possible.

Twenty apprentices from the Škoda Academy in Mladá Boleslav have been busy creating the company’s latest ‘Student Car’. Their work continues the annual tradition of designing and hand-building a one-off concept, which dates back to 2014.