Skoda could be coming to America 

"El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First!" (lightningzone) 08/02/2016 at 18:39 • Filed to: None

0

47

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-c…

Normally, a European car maker can add a little fresh air to our market, but I doubt that this will be the case. Skodas are basically lower quality VW’s, and looking at their British website, I can’t say that I’m in love. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 18:44

0

They’re going to have trouble calling it a Yeti seeing as that is an established brand of the finest keep stuff cold gear.

not for canada - australian in disguise > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/02/2016 at 18:50

1

Optima’s also a brand of batteries, and Kia hasn’t had any troubles with the name of their midsize sedan.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > not for canada - australian in disguise 08/02/2016 at 18:51

1

Good call

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) is dead, long live Bman76 M. Arch > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:05

1

Stop teasing me, they’ll have all my money if they come here.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:05

1

I’m down with an Octavia vRS. Octavia vRS estate - 225 hp, manual, basically gti underpinnings for $28K? yes all day

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy 08/02/2016 at 19:09

0

Also let me ** that with the fact that I am ready to buy new with a $25-35k budget in the next 1-2 years, aiming for a GTI/R class car

Svend > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:12

6

“Skodas are basically lower quality VWs”.

After having a Skoda Superb Mk2 estate for three years.

And having having a Skoda Superb Mk3 hatchback for four months.

I can confirm this is definitely not the case.

I know a lot of taxi drivers with Octavia Mk2 and 3s, Superb Mk2 and 3s. Friends with Fabias, Octavias, Roomsters, Superbs, etc... and non have had a real issues other than regular wear and tear.

So I don’t know what sites your looking at.

Yes, Skodas parent company is VW and they share platforms and engines but consistently Skoda wins awards for price, comfort, practicality, etc...

MultiplaOrgasms > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:12

1

Not so sure about that. Skoda could do significantly better in the US than VW did in the past few decades. Why? Because they are a bit cheaper than a VW, but tend to be noticeably more practical and are fundamentally identical in aesthetics, feel and driving dynamics. They just don’t have the super exciting 300hp AWD versions.

MultiplaOrgasms > Svend 08/02/2016 at 19:17

0

The only thing thats lower quality about Skodas are the interior plastics and even then only marginally. One mate’s parents have had a Mk.I Octavia Estate “Laurin&Klement” 1.8t for well over 15 years now, that thing is still rock solid as ever and has a genuinely upmarket feel to it (cream velours (?) upholstery does that).

Probenja > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:18

0

This is their actual current lineup:

I don’t think they would be any good in the US, here in Chile people have similar taste in cars and Skoda has been always a slow seller only bought by car enthusiasts pretty much. Non car enthusiasts just think it’s another chinese brand and get the more expensive and inferior VW next to it.

Svend > MultiplaOrgasms 08/02/2016 at 19:21

1

Will a Skoda Superb Sportline estate 2.0TSi DSG 4X4 with 276bhp do you?

Svend > MultiplaOrgasms 08/02/2016 at 19:23

0

The plastics were more tactile in the Mk2 than the Mk3, but still very good.

Chasaboo > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:26

1

Yeti for the win, thank you very much.

MultiplaOrgasms > Svend 08/02/2016 at 19:26

1

Oh but that’s sooo underpowered for american on-ramps!

LongbowMkII > Probenja 08/02/2016 at 19:27

0

Big problem. No crossovers :/

Svend > MultiplaOrgasms 08/02/2016 at 19:30

0

There is the smaller Octavia vRS (fractionally smaller, lighter car), same engine etc... with 280 and then get it re-mapped.

Rainbow > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:33

0

I want one!

But that might wear off. Same thing happened when Fiat came over here. They were cool because nobody had one, but now they’re just normal.

Svend > LongbowMkII 08/02/2016 at 19:35

0

The Yeti is an SUV and will be getting a bigger sister the Kodiaq (sister to the VW Tiguan and the SEAT Ateca) soon. The Octavia is available as a Scout with 4x4.

Probenja > LongbowMkII 08/02/2016 at 19:36

0

And no trucks, but the Yeti is a crossover the size of a Juke or a CX-3 and they are going to make the Kodiaq which will be the size of a Rogue, based on the Tiguan.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 19:39

0

Wouldn’t this be much like Hyundai / Kia is right now, the same platforms but everything else is tuned to specific markets and price points?

MultiplaOrgasms > Svend 08/02/2016 at 19:47

0

Oh but that’s not a crossover?

someassemblyrequired > Svend 08/02/2016 at 19:53

0

Weird how VW parts become substantially more reliable when there’s a Skoda badge on the front.

Plus they generally look a hell of a lot better than the equivalent VW.

Svend > MultiplaOrgasms 08/02/2016 at 19:58

0

Okay, though I’m not exactly positive what a crossover is, so there is that. Lol.

Svend > someassemblyrequired 08/02/2016 at 20:03

0

I don’t know. I’ve heard of people having issues just like any other car, I just don’t know any of these people.

Maybe it’s down to the guys and gals at the factories.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Svend 08/02/2016 at 20:06

1

Yesssssssssss!

fhrblig > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 20:14

0

Normally I’d say this is a bad idea, but with VW being a little tarnished with the Dieselgate crap it might be a good idea. I don’t know that the VW brand is in danger of leaving the US market or anything, but they could hedge their bets a bit by bringing Škoda in.

someassemblyrequired > Svend 08/02/2016 at 20:24

1

I don’t have any direct evidence either, but a good piece of advice I got was that if you want a cheap to run, reliable vehicle look at what the local cabbies run. Seems like in Europe a lot of the time the cabs are Skodas.

bhtooefr > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 20:24

0

I feel like it’s important to point out that VWs that are designed for the US market are already lower quality VWs - cheapened interiors to cut costs, that sort of thing. And, also, just like Skodas, the American-targeted VWs are bigger than the European VWs.

The Jetta sedan is basically an Octavia liftback already, except with a stupid trunk lid instead of the liftback, and on an older platform.

The Passat is basically a Superb liftback already, but again, stupid trunk lid, older platform.

Volkswagen basically has a dual strategy in the US - “real” Volkswagens for the enthusiasts (Golf (although that’s slightly cheapened too - has a handbrake instead of an EPB), CC, and Touareg), and mass-market Volkswagens that are larger and cheaper than their “real” counterparts (Jetta, Passat, and the upcoming three-row crossover). I’m leaving the Tiguan and Beetle out of that because I’m honestly not sure where they fit, but they’re both worldwide products.

bhtooefr > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 08/02/2016 at 20:25

1

Skodas are also usually bigger than their Volkswagen counterparts on the same platform. Which fits well with what the US wants...

Matt Nichelson > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 08/02/2016 at 20:31

1

But you can land a small helicopter on a Yeti!

Svend > someassemblyrequired 08/02/2016 at 20:31

1

Or emergency services are driving.

One of several police dog cars in my area. One dog handler had one complaint. They are too fast.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > bhtooefr 08/02/2016 at 20:36

0

Interesting, are they more down market than the VWs? That was the sense I got from hyundai and kia, going for two different markets within the segment.

bhtooefr > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 08/02/2016 at 20:39

0

Yes, they’re downmarket and bigger.

Keep in mind that that’s downmarket from European VW. They’re about equal to American VW’s American-specific products (Jetta, Passat) as I understand, so if this happened, I’d expect it to be to replace Volkswagen as a brand.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > bhtooefr 08/02/2016 at 20:52

0

While the new models would help fill in the US lineup and US tdi owners are historically loyal I can’t imagine this would attract thend masses.

I have already started the buyback process for mine, I am done with it.

bhtooefr > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 08/02/2016 at 21:01

0

And that’s the thing - Volkswagen thought that the key to American success was to copy the beigeness of the Camry and Corolla, not to copy the dealer training, the warranty strategies, and the comparative design durability as far as the mechanicals and electricals go.

Changing the brand name will ditch some of the bad will of the Volkswagen name, but many will still know it’s a Volkswagen, and it won’t fix the dealer networks or the basic designs.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > bhtooefr 08/02/2016 at 21:10

0

That makes complete sense, and unfortunately if all the VW dealers magically turn into Skoda dealers it isn’t going to fool anyone.

I was chatting with my dad last night and we were talking about Fiat/Alfa/etc and he remembers when the left the US market and wouldn’t even consider a new based on that history.

I mean even GM is bringing back the diesel Cruze, I expect most other manufacturers to jump on this chance to pull customers away from VW.

Svend > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy 08/02/2016 at 22:39

0

Also available in 280hp.

Svend > bhtooefr 08/02/2016 at 22:43

0

The new Passat and Superb are the same platform, etc... but the Superb makes much better use of the space giving it a larger interior and strangely a larger boot. Very odd. But also Skoda add little practical an useable touches such as umbrellas in the front doors, ice scraper in the fuel filler door, etc...

bhtooefr > Svend 08/02/2016 at 22:56

0

It’s a longer wheelbase, too, which helps.

The US Passat is... really, a bastard child.

So, first thing to remember is that the previous (B6/B7) Passat was based on the PQ46 platform, which was merely an embiggened PQ35 (Mk5/6 Golf) platform.

The Mk6 Jetta and Mk2 (New) Beetle are on the NCS - New Compact Sedan - platform - a cost-reduced (mainly in the front suspension, reverting to the Mk4 layout - the Mk7 layout is actually very similar in this regard) version of the PQ35 platform. The Mk6 Jetta is also longer wheelbase than the Golf or Beetle.

The US Passat is on the NMS - New Midsize Sedan - platform. It’s basically the NCS cost reduction, applied to a longer wheelbase PQ46 variant.

And, for the hell of it, size comparisons, sedans/liftbacks all around (wagons tend to be taller and a bit longer, and there’s no NMS wagon - we were supposed to get a three-row crossover instead, but that hasn’t launched yet), increasing order of length (note that MQB-based cars (the B8s) tend to have shorter overhangs):

B8 (MQB) Passat: 1832 mm wide, 1456 mm tall, 4767 mm long, 2791 mm wheelbase

B7 (PQ46) Passat: 1820 mm wide, 1490 mm tall, 4769 mm long, 2711 mm wheelbase

B6 (PQ46) Superb: 1817 mm wide, 1462 mm tall, 4838 mm long, 2761 mm wheelbase

B8 (MQB) Superb: 1864 mm wide, 1468 mm tall, 4861 mm long, 2841 mm wheelbase

NMS Passat: 1834 mm wide, 1472 mm tall, 4870 mm long, 2803 mm wheelbase

The NMS is a huge car... but the B8 Superb finally basically matches it, and with a longer yet wheelbase.

Svend > bhtooefr 08/02/2016 at 23:37

0

Well that explains the extra size but if you sat in my car and then a U.K. Passat you’d think, like me, there was a hell of a difference.

Bloody hell, I’ve never looked that far into the wheelbase, length and overhang sizes in that much detail.

So what’s the difference between the U.S. And Euro Passat, other than the obvious grille.

bhtooefr > Svend 08/02/2016 at 23:53

1

Compared to the B7, decontented interior (I’d say a shade cheaper than a Mk6 Golf, whereas the European Passats had a far more upscale interior), manual parking brake, Mk4 Golf-based front suspension, the aforementioned being huge , and that’s about it. Rear suspension is just like a B7 in layout (or like a Mk5/6 Golf or any of the other Golf derivatives of the era), electrics are just like a Mk6 Golf (or, for 2016, a hybrid of Mk6 and Mk7).

Oh, and the only sedans that VW sells in the US market with as much or more rear legroom are the LWB Audi A8, and the Bentley sedans, I believe.

Powertrains are:

2.5 I5, 170 hp with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (you didn’t get this) - former base engine, replaced by 1.8T in 2014

1.8T, 170 hp with a 5-speed manual (discontinued for 2016) or 6-speed automatic (you probably get the engine, but not the 6-speed slushbox) - base engine

2.0 TDI, 140 hp for 2012-2014, 150 hp for 2015, with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG - discontinued for 2016 due to Dieselgate

3.6 VR6, 280 hp, with a 6-speed DSG

Note the mandatory automatic nowadays...

Svend > bhtooefr 08/03/2016 at 00:13

0

I only flashed through that as I’m at work but will give it a closer look when I get home in an hour.

Svend > bhtooefr 08/03/2016 at 03:17

0

Here in the U.K. the Passat is diesel only. It doesn’t get the same engines as it does on the continent which are similar to the Superbs engines.

So the U.S. and Euro Passats are very different beasts?

Why can’t these companies properly homologise their line up? They either have the same car with different names or the same names but very different cars.

bhtooefr > Svend 08/03/2016 at 07:31

0

The Euro Passat actually used to be sold here, with the B6 - sedan and wagon, 2.0T and 3.6, and available AWD.

The problem is that it simply cost too much, and was too small for American tastes. We like our compacts to be nearly as large as you like your midsizes to be. (Also, reliability sucked, but that’s just Volkswagens in the US for you. And, they didn’t actually fix that, they never have.)

My understanding is that Volkswagen’s a far more premium brand in Europe than it is here - people still think of the Beetle - as in the aircooled, basic transportation one, not the watercooled ones - as representing Volkswagen’s market position, and therefore expect them to be inexpensive.

Basically, Volkswagen in the US has more of a Skoda-esque market position anyway.

Svend > bhtooefr 08/03/2016 at 08:19

0

The Mk2 Superb could be had with the 3.6 V6 (and sounded good, though better with a custom exhaust such as the HMS Klappenauspuffanlage).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYCNSZUV5vI

Not wishing to point the finger but VW are quite reliable on this side of the pond, where are the North American VWs built?

I don’t think VW is considered premium. Maybe slightly upmarket to Ford and Vauxhall but a little lower than Audi and BMW. People regard VWs as well built but for the money you can get a better speced car for the same money or similar speced car for less.

The class system for cars this side of the pond is not so much about the badge but also what car model is wearing that badge.

bhtooefr > Svend 08/03/2016 at 08:48

0

Depends on the car, but (with a couple factory-specific issues as exceptions) it doesn’t seem to matter much.

Right now, most models except the Golf R, CC, I think Tiguan, Passat, and Touareg are made in Mexico, and the Passat is made in America.

However, the B6 and older (except for the 1997 B4s, which were made in Belgium, due to the Emden plant moving over to B5 production - we got the B5 a year after Europe) were made in Germany, and got the unreliability reputation - in fact, they had worse of one than the Golf/Jettas, especially with B5's complexity. (Also, the Vento and Bora were called the Jetta here as well.)

Basically, general consensus in the US is that the only truly reliable model they sold was the Jetta Base or S 2.0 (that’s not 2.0T, that’s just 2.0, as in the 115 hp 8-valve) with a manual, and that’s because it didn’t have anywhere near as much to break, and the engine is an old-school 1970s design. And, that one gets terrible fuel economy and is miserable to drive - the other automakers’ modern DOHC 1.6s drive better than that thing, with equivalent reliability. So, it’s gone, in favor of the 1.4T.

Svend > bhtooefr 08/03/2016 at 08:57

0

I think the reliability of a vehicles depends on so many factors that I don’t even take it into account really unless I see loads of bad reviews but Piglet will be stopping with us for another two and a half years yet.

I don’t think other than the Scirocco there are any VWs I’d want.