Skoda, America, vRS and other stuffs.

"Svend" (svend) 07/06/2016 at 15:26 • Filed to: None

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Skoda brand bosses are considering more vRS models including hot versions of the Superb and Kodiaq.

Fans of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! vRS performance models are currently restricted to just one car. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is now in its third generation, but it seems brand bosses are looking to add to the Skoda hot sub-brand with variants of the existing !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and new !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! SUV. The performance versions could arrive in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier told Auto Express there is “serious potential” for vRS variants of the brand’s largest models. The opportunity to increase profitability is huge, as more buyers are choosing top-level trims like the new Octavia and Superb Sportline variants.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

“It is under discussion,” he told us. “Larger models have more potential to add value and vRS could be a part of this. It’s not a question of the engineering; we can do it, but we need to establish a business case first”.

However, Maier played down a return of the Fabia vRS hot hatch as the margins don’t stack up. “It is not feasible,” he said.

Another senior source told us: “People ask us ‘please build a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , it’ll be great!’ But we say back: ‘Will you buy it?’ The potential to make money in that market is very slim”.

A flagship Superb vRS would have to go over and above the existing range-topper, which is powered by a 276bhp 2.0-litre turbo with four-wheel drive. It’s possible the 296bhp powertrain from the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! will be drafted in instead, possibly with a small power boost to help differentiate the two models. That could then be offered exclusively with four-wheel drive in the forthcoming Kodiaq SUV at a later date.

However, the Czech brand is also focused on pushing plug-in hybrids to market as soon as possible. The first petrol-electric model to market will be the Superb in late 2018, with the Kodiaq and next-generation Yeti to follow.

Skoda targets US market launch

Maier also added weight to rumours that Skoda could finally launch in the US market before too long. “We have our thumbs on the pulse of the American market” he said.

“The US accounts for 25% of the global car market – we would be crazy to ignore that. There is definite interest, and we are closely monitoring it. We are not under any pressure though”.

Maier cited models like the Superb and new Kodiaq as the ideal models to attract US buyers away from home market saloons and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . “We have the product portfolio for it, but if we do launch there we need to do it properly. You only get once chance”.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Svend 07/06/2016 at 15:37

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Am very intrigued by possible US market entry.

Ash78, voting early and often > Svend 07/06/2016 at 15:41

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Now, more than ever, the US needs Volkswagen to put on a pair of Groucho Marx glasses. (I'd love to see it, but I highly doubt ANY kind of line/brand extensions are in the works for VW right now. Even if it were financially and logistically possible, the optics would look horrible to shareholders.)

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Svend 07/06/2016 at 15:45

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I would make a Superb vRS my next car if they came to the U.S.

Svend > Ash78, voting early and often 07/06/2016 at 15:55

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It may be a blessing though for VW. At present VW is not looked favourably by some in the U.S. Skoda may play down the VW Group side of things or market themselves as an alternative to Audi, etc...

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Svend 07/06/2016 at 15:57

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I would love to see a Superb VRS.

Ash78, voting early and often > Svend 07/06/2016 at 16:00

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I’d absolutely support something like that, but being that VW is playing in the 2%-3% market share range in the US, I just don’t imagine they can support further brands. When things were going very well for them, I always thought Skoda could serve as something like a VW version of Scion. But even the Toyota behemoth is killing that experiment.

Svend > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 07/06/2016 at 16:04

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I quite like the present Superb Sportline with the 278bhp 2.0TSi (though it’s only available in an automatic, which granted is okay for the U.S.).

I’m torn between the red or the metallic yellow.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Svend 07/06/2016 at 16:08

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I don’t care about that, I just really want Škoda to come to the US. I bet they’d do great here as a replacement for VW after Dieselgate. I talked with two European family members, both of whom are Škoda fans, and they seemed pretty optimistic about the idea of coming to America. Also, I can’t wait to see the Kodiaq SUV, which should be excellent if Škoda’s current model range is any indication.

Actually, I’ve gotten to ride in two late model Škodas within the last week or so, (a brand new Fabia and a pre facelift Yeti) and I was very impressed by both. Škoda has been turning out lots of great products lately that I’d love to see in the US.

Svend > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 07/06/2016 at 16:10

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Skoda made Monte Carlos of the other models but a Sportline of the Superb.

I like it (though it’s only in auto for the 2.0TSi).

AA vRS would need a bit more power as mentioned but easy enough to do.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Svend 07/06/2016 at 16:10

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Mmm... white combi is so nice. I want it!

Svend > Ash78, voting early and often 07/06/2016 at 16:13

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I don’t know but I think VW may be giving the other brands more autonomy and vision for their future.

The Superb and the Kodiaq would be ideal for the U.S.

Svend > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 07/06/2016 at 16:20

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I can’t see VW coming out of the U.S. but could see Skoda as an economy VW brand.

I absolutely loved our old Mk2 Superb, but the love scale got ramped right up when we got the Mk3 Superb.

Skoda are doing fantastic things.

Svend > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 07/06/2016 at 16:24

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I think the estate would be better in the colour of my saloon.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Svend 07/06/2016 at 16:26

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That’s gorgeous.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Svend 07/06/2016 at 16:27

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I would totally buy a Superb Combi vRS. I’d have to sacrifice my deposit for a house but I’m sure it’d be worth it, especially with awd.

Svend > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 07/06/2016 at 16:29

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Ye’, the only difference is the boot area from mine as it’s a saloon.

((aren’t you impressed with how restrained I am from posting a picture of my car? Lol))

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Svend 07/06/2016 at 16:38

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Wow it really suits that red. I wish the superbs didnt hold their value so well or my grandad might be interested in one, theyre a tad out of budget for him unfortunately.

Svend > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 07/06/2016 at 16:38

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The current Sportline comes with a 278bhp 2.0TSi DSG 4x4 combo for Ł30,000 mark.

https://www.carwow.co.uk/news/skoda-superb-sportline-complete-guide-3023

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Svend 07/06/2016 at 16:45

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The brand has no real value in the US, except with car nerds, so the only way I could see Skoda working in the US is if the cars are given VW badges and used to create an “all-new Volkswagen” lineup to win buyers who no longer trust the brand after dieselgate, replacing the US versions of the Jetta and Passat with the Octavia/Superb (giving them a name like Jetta Plus or something for a couple years, before just going Jetta/Passat).

Svend > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 07/06/2016 at 16:47

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They were doing massive discounts of the first six-eight months. I think many have put their prices back to what they should be but the Mk2 facelifts are going for really good money.

The red really suits it, especially with the black tinted panoramic roof, blacked out rear section, black rear spoiler and black wheels.

Svend > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/06/2016 at 16:53

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The brand may not have any ‘real value in the US’, but when has that stopped a car company.

I just hope it doesn’t go the way of Suzuki in the U.S. or Chevrolet or Daihatsu in the U.K./Europe or Chrysler in the U.K.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Svend 07/06/2016 at 17:06

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A 300bhp manual combi would be more my cup of tea :)

Svend > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 07/06/2016 at 18:27

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Just a slight tweak should straight away crank up the 278bhp to over 300bhp.

Svend > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 07/06/2016 at 18:33

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I shouldn’t think it’ll be anytime immediately like the next two or three years.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Svend 07/06/2016 at 18:48

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Even if it’s not for 5 years it’s still pretty exciting if they actually seriously consider market entry.

Svend > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 07/06/2016 at 19:17

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There was a Superb estate in Pheonix back in April.

genholicenseplates posted:-

“Wow!! I spotted this Manufacturer’s Test plate on a Skoda Superb AWD luxury wagon while driving on I-17 in Phoenix. Skodas are not sold anywhere in the USA! How did this get here?? #carspotting #skoda #skodasuperb “

I think several European companies are eyeing up the U.S.

I wonder what Skoda will have on sale in five years but going by what they have at present, it’ll be impressive.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Svend 07/06/2016 at 19:57

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It definitely will be and that’ll probably be around the time I’ll be financially stable enough to buy a new car.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Svend 07/07/2016 at 03:26

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I had heard some reports that VW was considering leaving the US after their image was hurt by Dieselgate, but that doesn’t seem very likely at this point. Škoda’s current range is fantastic, though, and they have the sales to show for it. My uncle wanted to order an Octavia vRS until he found out that he’d have to wait 4 months for it to be delivered, and he says the wait for a Superb is about 6 months. Good problems for Škoda to have. Either way, expanding into the US would definitely give them a huge boost in sales, because their cars are great and align well with popular American market segments. If Škoda did come over they'd instantly become one of my favorite brands.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/07/2016 at 03:39

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How does Škoda have no value in the US? They have excellent cars in some of the most popular US market segments. Škoda would no doubt be a sales success if they came to America IMO.

Svend > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 07/07/2016 at 09:00

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Ye’, Skoda had a lot of issues keeping up. Suppliers were having issues keeping up also (we were supposed to have beige leather interior but the supplier couldn’t keep up with demand so they made it an L&K option only for a few months and we settled for black leather or wait months extra which would of meant cancelling our order and placing a new order. But I’m happy, the leather is super soft). Superbs were arriving at dealerships with extras nobody had ordered or even knew about (nobody was charged any extra for the unrequested extras).

Even now they are cancelling some orders submitted by lease companies.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Svend 07/08/2016 at 03:13

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Yeah hed be looking at a mk2 he tends to buy 2-3 year old cars and keep them about 3 years.

That is very handsome with the contrasting paint.

Svend > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 07/08/2016 at 07:24

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Our base S spec Mk2 (pre-facelift, we got one month before the facelift with more aggressive angular styling) 1.4TSi was immaculate and incredibly low miles and a month after she went, she was sold down south for just under Ł9,000, so some real bargains can be had.

The diesel engines go on forever (our petrol engine never lat u down either and coul sit at 70mph all day comfortably if asked) and the cars are built very well and are very solid indeed.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Svend 07/08/2016 at 07:26

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The diesels are a bit more expensive and his budget is in the 7-8k range i believe and wants a 13 reg or newer so not sure if well find any in budget.

Svend > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 07/08/2016 at 07:55

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There are four on Autotrader, all base S Spec and diesel, three are prefacelift 2013 models with 71,000, 75,000 and 128,000 respectively the one 2014 model isn’t far away from Keighley (ex-company car) with 104,000 miles on the clock for Ł7,295.

For Ł8,500 there is a 62 reg (2013) Superb twindoor with 83,000 miles on the clock, SE Greenline (cheap to no tax) 1.6TDi with half leather interior just outside Stockport (Hazel Grove).

My phone won’t let me cut and paste tha links.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Svend 07/08/2016 at 08:02

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Ill have a look for them and let him know. At the moment he seems really interested in the seat exeo and the mazda 6. Moreso the 6 i believe.

Svend > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 07/08/2016 at 09:27

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The SEAT Exeo is a good looking car, sort of old Audi A4-ish and the Mazda 6 looking the most modern of the three.