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As one of the oldest automotive brands in the world that is still active today, ŠKODA can look back on 125 years of history this year. With the mechanic Václav Laurin and the bookseller Václav Klement, two young entrepreneurs set up their own bicycle repair shop in Mladá Boleslav in 1895. Just one year after releasing their own bicycles under the name SLAVIA, they launched the first self-designed motorcycles on the market in 1899. They were driven by single-cylinder engines, also manufactured by Laurin & Klement, which soon opened the door to a wide range of products. In 1903, the V-two-cylinder type CC became one of the first mass-produced engines in the world. As early as 1904, licensed production began in Germany under the brand name Germania.

In the same year, the young Czech company introduced the CCCC, its first in-line four-cylinder engine, and expanded its two-wheeler range to include models with water-cooled engines, such as the single-cylinder ‘LW’ model. This was based on the most popular ‘L’ model and, like the other water-cooled machines, had the letter ‘W’ for ‘Water’ in its type designation. With a displacement of 600cc, the LW reached a remarkable top speed of 70 km/h. Still, only ten units were sold between 1903 and 1905: with its cylindrical radiator, whose ribs spanned the frame at the level of the steering head bearing, it was probably too complicated for the customers of the time. By comparison, 965 customers opted for the basic air-cooled model in the same period.

It was not until the three-wheelers based on the LW motorbike, which, unlike the two-wheelers, carried the engine in front of the chain-driven rear wheel, that the advantages of water cooling really came into their own: The seating position of the passengers or the loading box above the front axle restricted the three-wheelers’ supply of cooling air. Another hurdle on the way from the motorcycle to the three-wheeler was that the engine capacity of up to 0.8 litres also increased the resistance to starting the engine, which at that time was started by pushing it. A decompression lever simplified this complicated process: it kept the exhaust valve open and thus reduced the backpressure in the cylinder when the engine was moving. When it was released, the engine built up the necessary compression again and started. The decompression lever could also be used to switch the engine off, and in an intermediate position, the lever allowed the engine speed to be reduced for a short time without adjusting the carburettor.

However, the decompression lever was no longer sufficient to move larger and heavier motorcycles with sidecars, trailers or a front-mounted car for passengers. So Václav Laurin’s design team developed an idle hub and clutch and installed a two-speed gearbox. This allowed the engine to be started even when the vehicle was stationary.

This innovation made the practical and agile commercial vehicles from L&K very attractive for owners of small businesses and state postal services. There was a choice of motorcycles with cargo sidecars or tricycles, which were assembled from proven LW components. Soon, postmen in Vienna were using the Czech models to transport their consignments, Budapest and Prague followed shortly afterwards. A remarkable record from that time shows how much easier L&K’s commercial vehicles made the postmen’s work: on 20 June 1906, delivery man Kundert managed to empty 37 Prague post boxes within 58 minutes – on foot, it would have taken him 2.5 hours for the same task.

Because of such successes, the L&K models were soon in demand in other international markets. In 1908 some Laurin & Klement three-wheelers of the ‘LW’ type, as well as motorcycles with trucks, went as far as Mexico.  Their single-cylinder engines differed from the predecessor models of the same name with a displacement of 780cc and an output of 3.7 kW (5 hp). A rigid tubular frame served as the chassis for the three-wheeled Laurin & Klement LW, the front axle with a track width of 1,150 millimetres was suspended from two semi-elliptical leaf springs. The wheelbase was 1,650 millimetres; the driven rear wheel was unsprung. The band brake only acted on the rear wheel; later all three wheels were braked.

The water cooler located in front of the engine consisted of two tightly ribbed, laterally placed elements and the cooling circuit worked according to the ‘thermosiphon’ principle: the lighter hot water flowed into the cooler from above. As the temperature dropped, it sank due to its higher density and was led back down to the engine – the warmer the engine, the better this effect worked.

The surface carburettor was also heavily reliant on the temperature due to its design. Since the fuel mixture was formed by free evaporation of the gasoline in a small container, it did not need an injector, but this worked much better in summer temperatures than in the cold. The carburettor was also developed in-house by L&K, as was the ignition with an electromagnetic low-voltage inductor and contact breaker. The driver initially took care of the lubrication of the engine himself using a hand pump. An automatic system with adjustable output was used later; the oil was delivered to the right places via pipes.

The unladen weight of the LW three-wheeler was 160 kilograms; the maximum possible payload was 200 kilograms. This meant that two passengers could sit on a leather-covered double seat, which was also optimally protected from splash water and dust by a sheet metal underbody. In the freight variant, a box body was located in front of the radiator. Additional items of luggage could also be strapped to a tubular frame that served as a cover.

Laurin & Klement kept the three-wheeled LW in their range from 1905 to 1911. Today there are probably only three surviving copies and a separate engine. One of these vehicles is currently on loan from the National Technical Museum in Prague and can be seen at the ŠKODA Museum in Mladá Boleslav.

The upcoming parts of the series on lesser-known models from Laurin & Klement and ŠKODA are dedicated to the following:

• ·       Laurin & Klement E ‘Černá Hora/Montenegro’ (1908-1909)
• ·       ŠKODA Sagitta (1936-1938)
• ·       ŠKODA type 998 ‘Agromobil’ (1962)
• ·       ŠKODA type 990 ‘Hajaja’ (1963)
• ·       ŠKODA BUGGY type 736 (1974-1976)
• ·       ŠKODA FELICIA Fun (1996-2000)

All texts will gradually be posted on the ŠKODA Storyboard.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

For many people who need to be on the road these days, the car can be seen as a ‘safe haven’ of mobility. Unlike public transport, the car gives us the possibility to limit contact with our fellow human beings, and thus supposedly create the best conditions to protect ourselves against the virus.

Nevertheless, there are contact points on and in your car that you should be thoroughly disinfecting regularly to reduce the risk of infection further, such as door handles, door frames, the steering wheel and the gear stick. One other practical tip: the first aid kit in your car may also include a face mask, which is mandatory first-aid equipment in many European countries.

In a comprehensive article on the ŠKODA Storyboard, we have gathered detailed background information and tips from ŠKODA’s occupational physician Jana Parmová. It explains what you should pay particular attention to at the moment. In addition, the service feature addresses the questions of what to do when refuelling or why you should clean the air conditioning system right now and which tools can be used to do this easily at home.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Christian Strube, ŠKODA Board Member for Technical Development, points out: “At ŠKODA we offer our customers outstanding value for money. This is reflected in our vehicles’ spaciousness and great everyday usability as well as a consistent design philosophy whose core elements are  ‘Crystalline’ and ‘Surprising’. Winning the Red Dot Award for the all-new ŠKODA OCTAVIA is a very welcome confirmation of the great job our design team is doing.”

The current iteration of the ŠKODA design language is defined by sculptural elements, precise lines and bold surfaces, conveying dynamism and road presence. The new front apron and the sharply defined, slimmed-down headlights, with LED technology for the low beam, high beam and daytime running lights included as standard, provide visual highlights. Optional full-LED Matrix headlights with a distinctive light signature are available as an alternative. The tail lights, brake lights and rear fog lights also come with LED technology. The redesigned, low roof rails emphasise the elongated silhouette of the OCTAVIA COMBI estate, while the saloon has a coupé-like shape. The OCTAVIA’s interior design concept is equally new: in a first for a ŠKODA production model, the best-seller’s new generation features a free-standing, central monitor and even more upmarket materials, complemented by a new multi-level instrument panel and a bold centre console. The redesigned two-spoke steering wheel benefits from a more intuitive button layout and innovative, knurled scroll wheels, for enhanced ergonomics and ease of use.

Around 40 experts assess approximately 6,500 products
The Red Dot Award is among the most prestigious design accolades in the world. Composed of experts from around the globe, the jury brings together independent design professors, industry journalists and designers. This year, they judged each of around 6,500 submitted products live and on-site, based on criteria such as degree of innovation, quality of design, functionality, longevity and environmental impact. 2020 marks the 65th year in which the Red Dot Award is presented, as a global hallmark of outstanding product design.

For ŠKODA, the all-new, fourth-generation OCTAVIA is the 14th model to win this coveted award. In the 2019 “Red Dot Award: Brands and Communication Design” event, the Czech car maker also garnered the Red Dot “Brands” award for its successful brand communications.

ŠKODA scored its first Red Dot Award in 2006 with another OCTAVIA, the OCTAVIA II COMBI. And in 2017, that model’s third-generation successor along with the KODIAQ netted ŠKODA two awards in a single year.

Here is an overview of all the award-winning ŠKODA models:
2020 ŠKODA OCTAVIA IV
2019 ŠKODA SCALA
2018 ŠKODA KAROQ
2017 ŠKODA KODIAQ and ŠKODA OCTAVIA III COMBI
2016 ŠKODA SUPERB III
2015 ŠKODA FABIA III
2014 ŠKODA RAPID SPACEBACK
2013 ŠKODA RAPID
2010 ŠKODA SUPERB II and ŠKODA YETI
2008 ŠKODA FABIA II
2007 ŠKODA ROOMSTER
2006 ŠKODA OCTAVIA II COMBI

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The new ŠKODA RAPID and the ŠKODA RAPID SPACEBACK hatchback version are now available for purchase on the Chinese market and can also be ordered online. The revised exterior features a redesigned ŠKODA grille, flatter, tapered headlights and new horizontal taillights. In addition to new trims and upholstery fabrics, the interior also benefits from a new infotainment system with vehicle connectivity via Banma, a joint venture between the Alibaba Group and SAIC Volkswagen.

ŠKODA RAPID: lots of room, two interior versions and advanced infotainment
The ŠKODA RAPID saloon is 4,512 millimetres long, 1,706 millimetres wide and 1,469 millimetres tall. It is available in the colours Acapulco Blue, Titanium Beige, Reflex Silver and Polar White. With a wheelbase measuring 2,603 millimetres, it provides passengers with a generous amount of space and comfort, with plenty of legroom at the front and rear. The boot has a capacity of 466 litres, complemented by up to 14 storage solutions from ŠKODA’s classic Simply Clever range. The redesigned interior exudes a premium feel and is available in two colourways: dazzling black and black/brown.

Among other new details, the RAPID comes with a multifunction steering wheel, a rear-view camera and the ŠKODA Banma Intelligent Interconnection System. This includes a TFT LCD monitor with an 8-inch screen and a user interface featuring the playing-card design that is popular in China, along with voice control. Other features include over-the-air updates and advanced Android and Apple smartphone connectivity along with other online services such as the Amap navigation app, the Kuwo music streaming service or the Tingban online radio.

1.5 MPI petrol model already compliant with the strict China VI b emissions standard
The ŠKODA RAPID is powered by a 1.5 MPI petrol engine, which is made entirely of aluminium and delivers 82 kW (111 PS), along with a maximum torque of 145 Nm. Customers have a choice between a manual five-speed gearbox and a six-speed automatic transmission. With an average fuel consumption of 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres and correspondingly low emissions, the engine already complies with the strict China VI b emissions standard that will only come into effect from July 2023. An electronically controlled, dynamic steering system and intelligent chassis tuning make for powerful performance and controlled handling at all times.

RAPID SPACEBACK: aesthetic, functional and with various design packages
The new ŠKODA RAPID SPACEBACK is a stylish hatchback model which perfectly combines aesthetics and functionality and can be ordered in the Honey Yellow, Flash Red, and Polar White paint finishes. It features redesigned wide, split tail lights which, in tandem with the reflectors in the rear apron, create the light graphic. The rear design is rounded off with a chrome strip towards the bottom of the bumper. The RAPID SPACEBACK can be customised with various design packages with black elements, including an extended black panoramic rear window, black roof, black wing mirror housings and tail lights with a smoky black finish.

The RAPID SPACEBACK measures 4,312 millimetres in length and 1,475 millimetres in height. Its width and wheelbase are identical to the saloon version, as is the 1.5 MPI engine delivering 82 kW (111 PS), with a choice of a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The luggage compartment has a 372-litre capacity, which can be increased to as much as 1,255 litres by folding down the rear seats. The ESP stability programme enhances safety on the road, along with tyre pressure monitoring and other safety systems.

A choice of four interior variants
When ordering their RAPID SPACEBACK, customers can choose between four different interior designs. The sportiest variant, for example, has an instrument panel featuring a delicate carbon-style look and a decorative trim in an eye-catching red. The black and grey seat upholstery is enhanced with contrasting red stitching and an embroidered RAPID wordmark. The ŠKODA Banma Intelligent Interconnection System also ensures state-of-the-art connectivity in the RAPID SPACEBACK, and the rear-view camera boasts a viewing angle of 170 degrees. In addition, the air conditioning system provides outstanding comfort, utilising highly effective three-layer filter inserts to provide particularly clean air.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com