VW Group Confirms new Minicars for VW, Seat and Skoda Brands

The Volkswagen Group has revealed that it will introduce a new family of small cars based on the Up! prototypes for the VW, Seat and Skoda brands. Europe's largest carmaker announced that it has also taken the decision to build all variants of the minicar that are known as "New Small Family" at its Bratislava plant in Slovakia. The first examples of the city cars that will be available in 3-door and 5-door versions will roll off the production lines at the beginning of 2011. "Our team at Volkswagen in Slovakia is ideally prepared to provide the flexibility required for the production of the New Small Family. Four brands are already produced successfully under one roof at our plant in Bratislava today," said Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.

The first study for these economical city cars, the three -door Up!, made its world debut at the Frankfurt Show in 2007 followed a few weeks later by a five-door iteration called Space-Up! at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show while VW also introduced a third variant at the 2007 Los Angeles Show called the Space-Up! Blue.
Even though the Up! concept studies featured a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, it remains to be seen if the VW Group retains this architecture on the production versions.

2009 Skoda Octavia RS Facelift: Updated Album with 30 High-Res Photos

After releasing initial details and photos of its facelifted Octavia RS (or vRS for the UK market) in late April, Skoda has now published a full gallery of both the five-door and estate variants of the model. For 2009, the Czech automaker's family-happy GTI gets a restyled front fascia, revamped tail lights, updated interior trim and minor chassis upgrades. Both Octavia RS models are offered with two engine options, a 2.0-liter TSI petrol unit with 200HP and a 2.0-liter TDI diesel producing 170HP. Skip the jump for the picture gallery or click here for more detailed information.

Milotec Releases LED kit for Skoda Fabia and Roomster

While LED daytime running light have found their way in many upscale models, few makers offer them even as extras on mainstream cars like the Skoda Fabia hatch and its crossover sibling, the Roomster. But this is where aftermarket tuners like Skoda specialist Milotec come in. In addition to the aero parts and alloy wheel upgrades, Milotec is enhancing its product lineup for the Fabia and Roomster with the introduction of a new LED daytime running light kit. Prices -not including installation- are set at €265 for the standard kit and €289 of the tinted LEDs.

Skoda issues Superb Estate Teaser Ahead of Frankfurt Show

Czech automaker Skoda, has released a shadowy shot of the new Superb Estate that is scheduled to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September. The newest addition to the Superb range promises to offer more luggage space and increased practicality over the five-door model with its signature twin tailgate that has sold more than forty-two thousand units, in just over a year since it was first launched in Europe.
The Volkswagen Group owned company did not disclose further details on the station-wagon model but buyers should expect a similar engine line-up to the standard Superb which includes three gasoline and three diesel units coupled to manual gearboxes and DSG twin-clutch transmissions.

Skoda Superb Estate: Mega Photo Gallery with 85 Images Hits the Web

We're only a few day away from the official unveiling of the all-new Skoda Superb Estate (Combi) at the Frankfurt Motor Show but a complete gallery of the mid-size station wagon is already doing rounds on the internet. The more practical version of the Superb replaces the liftback-saloon's innovative 'twindoor' split hatch with a sloping tailgate that makes the car look less frumpy than one would imagine and a new rear-end design boasting a pair of Cayenne-esque tail lamps.
The Estate retains the same exact length, wheelbase and width with the conventional Superb, but because it is taller at the back it comes with a massive boot that can accommodate a whopping 633 liters of luggage (up to the height of the rear seat), an increase of 68 liters over the saloon model.
When the Estate goes on sale in Europe in the beginning of 2010, the line-up will comprise of three petrols and two diesels from the current Superb range, including a 125HP 1.4-liter TSI, a 260HP 3.6-liter V6 FSI plus the company's first common rail diesel, the 2.0 TDI CR with 175 horsepower. The engines will be coupled to manual gearboxes and optionally, to the VW Group's DSG twin-clutch transmission.

Source: Skoda , Via: Roadlook