Photo: Theophilus Chin
Skoda, the most affordable manufacturer in Volkswagen Group's portfolio, prides itself on being a "clever" brand. That means you get more than you bargained for with little things intended to make your life easier and better hidden around every corner of the car.
That, of course, is an exaggeration. As marketing and advertising so often do, this claim does have a seed of truth to it, but it's really just a gimmick to set Skoda apart from all the other carmakers that fight for the same clients in the mainstream segment.
However, even if it is just a selling tool, Skoda needs to be consistent about it if it wants to remain relevant to the same people and not step on SEAT or even Volkswagen's toes. Which is exactly why we will never see a more extravagant Skoda model than the Octavia vRS, the sportiest version of the Czech brand's very successful sedan.
Even though the historical antecedents exist, Skoda isn't very likely to offer a real sports car like a coupe or a roadster, because it would simply blow out the minds of the brand's usual clientele. Besides, making a clever sports car wouldn't be easy at all.
At the same time, a convertible would make even less sense. With the open-top segment dwindling fast, the last thing this world needs is one from Skoda. And bear in mind that, even though it's built on the same MQB platform as the Volkswagen Golf, the Octavia is slightly larger than your average European compact car. Taking its roof off would require some serious work on its frame and structure, adding weight and possibly reducing interior and storage space. Which isn't exactly clever.
No, Skoda won't do anything like this. While we like the new design language of the brand, we don't really feel the Octavia would be suitable for such a conversion, even if it would hypothetically make financial sense for the manufacturer. Something like this, on the other hand...
However, even if it is just a selling tool, Skoda needs to be consistent about it if it wants to remain relevant to the same people and not step on SEAT or even Volkswagen's toes. Which is exactly why we will never see a more extravagant Skoda model than the Octavia vRS, the sportiest version of the Czech brand's very successful sedan.
Even though the historical antecedents exist, Skoda isn't very likely to offer a real sports car like a coupe or a roadster, because it would simply blow out the minds of the brand's usual clientele. Besides, making a clever sports car wouldn't be easy at all.
At the same time, a convertible would make even less sense. With the open-top segment dwindling fast, the last thing this world needs is one from Skoda. And bear in mind that, even though it's built on the same MQB platform as the Volkswagen Golf, the Octavia is slightly larger than your average European compact car. Taking its roof off would require some serious work on its frame and structure, adding weight and possibly reducing interior and storage space. Which isn't exactly clever.
No, Skoda won't do anything like this. While we like the new design language of the brand, we don't really feel the Octavia would be suitable for such a conversion, even if it would hypothetically make financial sense for the manufacturer. Something like this, on the other hand...
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