Skoda Kodiaq prices released

Skoda Ireland has released prices for the new Kodiaq SUV, beginning at €28,795, writes Brian Byrne.

Available in 5-seat format, the vehicle will offer powertrain options of 1.4 turbo petrol in 125hp/150hp versions and 2.0 diesels in 150hp/190hp outputs.

There will be three grades available and DSG automatic gearboxes will be among the options.

Connectivity features include the Skoda Smartlink+ smartphone integration system containing Apple Car Play and Google Android Auto as standard.

The Columbus navigation and infotainment system which is standard on the Style grade also comes with an additional 4G LTE SIM card slot to enable a high speed Wi-Fi hotspot within the car (data plans sold separately) and additional connected services from Skoda Connect.

The car goes on sale in March, but will be available to view in advance at Skoda showrooms.

Scout version of Kodiaq for Geneva debut

Even before it arrives in Ireland, Skoda has announced a Scout version of its new Kodiaq SUV, writes Brian Byrne.

Building on the success of the 'Scout' versions of other Skoda models, the Kodiaq Scout will feature technology and visual elements to enhance its offroad ability and ethos.

The car will have underbody protection at the front and rear, a 194mm ground clearance, and specially designed 19" wheels. Two petrol and two diesel engines are available for the new model variant, which comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

The Kodiaq Scout will be shown to the public at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

Octavia gets upgrade

Skoda has revealed mid-life upgrades to its current Octavia, writes Brian Byrne.

They include detail changes to the front styling including new headlights using LED technology. There are also new rear LED lights.

A reworking of the interior includes an option for colour-controlled LED ambient lighting.

There are new driver assist systems, including a trailer assist and what is described as predictive pedestrian protection. The car is slightly longer and the rear track has been increased.

Powertrain options are petrol and diesels in outputs ranging from 86hp to 184hp. A new option is a 150hp diesel with AWD.

Skoda Ireland targets top five for 2017

Skoda Ireland is expecting the arrival of the new 7-seat Kodiaq SUV to help boost the brand to a top five placing here in 2017, writes Brian Byrne. The car goes on sale in March.

The Volkswagen-owned brand realised a 20pc increase in sales through 2016, setting a record delivery of over 9,500 new cars. Market share has now reached 6.5pc.

The Irish operation dealer network is investing €12.5m in new showroom design.

In financing, almost half of all cars sold through the network are purchased through Skoda Finance, with two-thirds of these using PCP options.

Octavia Scout latest for refresh

After refreshing its standard and RS variants of the Octavia, Skoda is completing thee upgrade with the Scout variant, writes Brian Byrne.

The car launches with three engine variants and all-wheel-drive technology. Ground clearance has been increased by 30 mm in comparison to the Octavia Combi, and the car can manage rough terrain, has good climbing capability, and a high towing capacity

Engines will include 1.8 turbo petrol with 180hp, and two 2.0 diesels of 150/184hp outputs.

New technologies available will include provision of a WiFi hotspot for passenger infotainment systems, as well as a full range of safety technology.

More powerful Octavia RS

Skoda has increased the power output of its Octavia RS petrol model by 10hp to 230hp, making it the most powerful series-production Octavia of all time, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a refresh of the Octavia some weeks ago, and the RS has also had changes to its front styling with a wider radiator grille, additional headlamps featuring a crystalline look, and wider air intakes with a honeycomb structure.

The power output of the diesel model remains the same at 184hp.

There are also new premium technologies supporting infotainment, connectivity and driver assistance system. The car is available in saloon and estate formats.

Skoda Ireland to launch first ever Irish TV ad

Volkswagen-owned Skoda Ireland has launched details of its first ever Irish TV ad as part of a €650,000 investment to promote the brand, writes Trish Whelan.

The ad will air on national TV on 5 December.

According to Eimear Walshe, marketing communications manager with Skoda Ireland: “This is the first ad we’ve developed specifically for the Irish market so we’re very excited about it. In terms of timing, the brand has gone through really rapid change over the past two years. We now have almost 7pc market share here in Ireland so we felt the time was right to invest in our brand and show Irish people that we’re not just a Czech brand being sold in Ireland."

She added "By listening to what our audience in Ireland wants and holding focus groups, we found that locally produced communications content resonates more strongly with an Irish audience. This ad campaign is about demonstrating how we at Skoda identify with our Irish audience and their lives.”

Eimear says 'while Skoda cars might not be made in Ireland, the more you get to know them, the more you can see they suit this country perfectly'.

Very few car ads are actually made in Ireland, most are edits of international copy.

Skoda reveals more on Kodiaq

Skoda has revealed full details of its new Kodiaq SUV, following its debut in Berlin at the beginning of September, writes Brian Byrne.

The Czech carmaker's first large SUV has been designed to carry seven people in comfort, and also claims the largest boot space in its class. It arrives in Ireland in February.

There will be five engines available, depending on market, and transmissions include 6-speed manuals and 6- and 7-speed automatics.

The car is based on Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix (MQB) in which lightweight construction plays an important role.

Features include door-edge protection which deploys automatically when opening the car door and prevents the metal edge of the door from coming into contact with a garage wall or an adjacent car. When shutting the door, the trim folds itself back in.

There will be a wide range of driver assistance systems, including the first use in the brand of an Area View system whereby the driver gets a 'bird's eye' view of surroundings in tight manoeuvring situations.

More details as we come closer to the Irish launch.

Skoda offers trainee positions

Skoda Ireland is to take on 80 trainees in technician, parts, service and sales over the next four years, writes Brian Byrne.

Twenty of the positions will be filled before the end of the year in the programme, which represents a €400,000 investment by the company.

Skoda Ireland says there's particularly a shortage of suitably qualified technicians across the motor industry, as dealerships weren't able to invest in training during the recession.

The scheme trims from seven to four years the time it takes to be a fully trained Skoda technician.

Applications close on Wednesday 30 November. Further information from skoda.ie/careers.

New Skoda dealership in Waterford

George Corbett Motors in Waterford have been appointed sales and after dealer for Skoda in Waterford, writes Trish Whelan.

Based on the Cork Road in Waterford, George Corbett's purpose-built facility was redeveloped recently. The expansion, combined with the arrival of Skoda, will facilitate up to 10 new jobs over the next year across sales, aftersales and administration.

Originally established on the Park Road in Waterford in 1995, George Corbett relocated to their current site on the Cork Road in 2003. George himself is widely known in the Motor Industry with his vast experience gained across 33 years.

Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing, Skoda Ireland wished George and his team the very best with their new venture and are looking forward to Skoda becoming 'one of the to-selling brands in Co Waterford over the next few years'.

George Corbett Motors are widely known in the Waterford community and particularly in sporting circles from previous and current associations with Ballygunner, Waterpark Rugby Club, and with Bohemians soccer academy.

Raymond Leddy of Skoda Ireland is pictured above with George Corbett.

Skoda makes revisions to Octavia

Skoda has revised its Octavia with a newly designed front and rear section, latest driver assistance solutions, infotainment and connectivity, as well as other new equipment, writes Brian Byrne.

At the front the headlights have been altered to provide what the company calls a 'crystalline' look and they will be available as full LED systems.

There are also detail changes to the rear, and inside there's driver assistance systems, infotainment and connectivity.

The Octavia is Skoda's best selling model and was first launched in 1996. This is the third generation, which debuted in 2013.

First Kodiaqs roll off the line

Though it won't be on sale until February of next year, Skoda has rolled the first units of its Kodiaq off the assembly line, writes Brian Byrne.

The Kodiaq was revealed in Berlin on 1 September. The new car will arrive in Ireland in February 2017.

It is based on the Vision S Concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Paris premiere for Skoda, 80 years ago

With the Paris Motor Show starting this weekend, Skoda thought it was apt to show us this model which premiered in Paris exactly 80 years ago, writes Brian Byrne.

It was the Skoda Popular Sport Monte Carlo, and this copy is a coupe version built in 1937 and now in the company’s own museum.

The car was produced in limited edition sporty roadsters, convertibles and coupes which are now considered among the most attractive vintage cars to have ever been produced by the brand.

Skoda reveals Kodiaq in Berlin

There were some 600 international motoring journalists from 31 countries, including China, in Berlin tonight for the reveal of the new flagship car from Skoda, the Kodiaq large SUV, writes Brian Byrne.

The new car will arrive in Ireland in February 2017, and Skoda Ireland’s Ray Leddy says they expect to sell 1,000 units in the first year. “It’s a totally new segment for us, so it’s very hard to make an accurate forecast,” he said. “And we may be restricted by supply for the initial period.”

The Kodiaq is based on the Vision S Concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

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