Skoda has begun testing of its electrically powered estate car, the Octavia Green E Line, deploying a fleet of no less than 10 units. The model is the first ever all-electric vehicle from the Czech manufacturer, which aims at collecting as many data as possible during the tests in order to further develop the model, in view of a possible mass production.

The Octavia Green E Line is based on the Octavia Combi whose structure was deemed ideal to host the whole electric package (battery, electric motor and electronic controllers). Its powertrain is credited with a constant power of 80 hp (60 kW) and maximum output of 114 hp (85 kW) for about 60 seconds, while its impressive 270 Nm (199 lb/ft) of torque is available right from the start. All in all, Skoda Octavia Green E Line’s performance figures are not too bad, boasting a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 12 seconds and a limited top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph). Power comes from a 315 kg 26.5 kWh ion-lithium battery, which provides the car with 150 km (93.2 miles) of range and requires a charging time of 8 hours at 230 V (single-phase AC) and just 2 hours at 400 V (three-phase AC).

Skoda CEO Winfried Vahland commented: “The Octavia Green E Line shows our technological expertise in the field of electric mobility. It is a milestone in our comprehensive sustainability strategy“. Skoda R&D main man Eckhard Scholz added: “There is no doubt electric propulsion is becoming more and more important for mobility with as low emissions as possible. Working as we are with our Group partners, we think we are making very good progress.”

View the full Skoda Octavia Green E Line photo gallery

via | Škoda

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Despite being the low-cost option in the Volkswagen Group family, Skoda has some decent models with some good engines, and these Skoda Superb Scout photos show a wagon with a lot of potential. The Superb Scout wagon will go on display at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and reveals some of the same modifications made to the Skoda Octavia wagon, with a higher wheel base, plastic bumper protection and aluminium components.

The Superb Scout looks like it could be the kind of model to compete in the field of wagons that can handle some soft off-roading, and certainly in terms of price point it should have no trouble competing with models like the Audi A4 Allroad and the Saab 9-3X. The Superb wagon is slightly bigger than the Octavia as well, making it a better family traveller, too.

The engine range available will probably include that of the standard Superb range, including a TDI unit with 170 hp and the 2.0 TSI with 200 hp, which might also come with all-wheel drive and a DSG shift. The Superb and Superb Wagon models have recently gained a 4×4 diesel variant with 140 hp and DSG so we can expect something similar here.

Photos | Carsspyphotos

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The Worthersee Tour will see the Skoda Fabia RS+ and Octavia RS+ debut, and will also host seven special versions of the Audi A1. Audi will also take the new A8, RS5, TT restyling, R8 Spyder and GT along to the event, but the highlight will be the A1 special editions.

Three will appear with the 1.4-litre TFSI engine: the ‘Follow Me’ citrus yellow version, the ‘Wasserwacht’ suzuka grey version and the ‘Hot Rod’ Daytona grey. The other four Audi A1 special versions are: ‘FC Bayern’ in Misano red, ‘Pickerljäger’ in Ibis white, ‘Fashion’ in aubergine purple and the ‘Competition Kit’ in Amalfi white famous for the Audi quattro. These four models are equipped with the 1.6 TDI and will have an aerodynamic kit with front spoiler, side skirts, rear diffusor and chrome sports exhaust.

The Skoda models and the Audi A1 special editions will appear alongside two Seat Ibiza ST prototypes and the new Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Audi A1 Wörthersee Tour 2010

Continue reading: Audi A1 at Worthersee with Seat Ibiza, Skoda and Golf GTI

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The Skoda Fabia RS and Skoda Octavia RS will debut at the 2010 Worthersee event in Austria in the company’s first appearance at the event. Both the Fabia and Octavia are based on vRS models, with the Skoda Fabia RS taking inspiration from the S2000 rally car.

Other features of the Fabia RS+ include black front grille, black spoilers at the front and rear, and black-tinted headlights, along with a new diffuser and air intake vents in the bonnet. On the inside we get sports seats and in-tint colour finish which matches the lime-green and grey exterior combination.

The new Skoda Octavia RS+ also gets the same upgrades and colours as the more extreme Fabia model, and has rear LED lights in addition. The new Fabia RS+ is equipped with the 180 hp, 1.4 TSI engine of the standard RS version. In addition to these models, seen in the sketches below, two Fabia S2000 rally cars will also be on show at Worthersee.

Source | Autoweek.nl

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The new Skoda Octavia will arrive in 2013, and will continue to be available in both sedan and five-door versions, as well as the Octavia Wagon or “Combi” family car. The new Octavia will share the same platform as other cars from the Volkswagen group such as the Audi A3 and the and Volkswagen Golf. The new platform will emerge in 2011, firstly with the new A3, and then the Golf 7 will adopt it in 2012.

The new Skoda Octavia will have a sporty style and we should also see a jump in quality, while keeping its reputation for comfort. The Octavia might adopt the Twin Door system seen on the Superb, and the new generation will be slightly larger, gaining six centimetres in with and being 4cm longer in the wheel base for a total of 262 cm.

Both occupant and boot space will be larger in new Octavia, and we should see some new engine technology, including Start&Stop as standard. The 1.2-litre TSI engine will have Greenline technology emitting less than 100 g/km of CO2, while the top of the range will be represented by the RS versione with the 2.0-litre TSI with 270 hp (the same engine as that of the Golf R). The Octavia Wagon will also have 4×4 and Scout versions.

Source | L’Automobile Magazine

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