Photo: RM Car Design
Is there really a point to small cars with all-wheel-drive systems? That depends on who you ask. Most people will say that from a rational point of view, they are useless, but at the same time, the same people will rush out and buy them once the room is clear.
Some manufacturers realized that these customers don't necessarily want the 4x4 ability, but a car that simply looks like it can handle itself off-road. The percentage of buyers who wanted their Nissan Juke in four-wheel-drive configuration was so small, that Renault decided to skip this option altogether on the Captur. It's true, restricting the 4WD transmission to the 1.6-liter turbo engine might have influenced those numbers.
Whichever way you look at it, B-segment crossovers are in and the manufacturers know that. After spending years with only the Yeti and the Octavia Scout in its rage, Skoda is now expanding its portfolio of 4x4s with the Kodiaq. The seven-seater SUV will undoubtedly be a great success, offering that same excellent value and practical solutions we've come to expect from Skoda, combined with -level of quality.
Skoda models have the tendency of slotting in between traditional segments, with the Octavia being slightly larger than a compact car and the Superb offering more room than some limousines. The Fabia, though, was your ordinary B-segment hatchback, perfectly comparable in size with the Volkswagen Polo or the SEAT Ibiza.
The Skoda Polar is a bit of an unknown at this point. It will definitely be built on the Polo platform since its price will have to be kept down at all costs, but that doesn't mean it can't grow a little. It will also use the same engine line-up consisting of three- and four-cylinder diesel and gasoline turbo engines, even though the latest prognoses suggest that manufacturers will have to reverse to using larger displacement units to meet the new regulations.
Design-wise, this rendering looks to be more accurate than the older one we had, doing a much better job of adapting the Kodiaq lines to this smaller size. The real question that remains is whether the Polar will get a four-wheel-drive option or will simply remain a slightly jacked-up hatchback like the Renault Captur.
Whichever way you look at it, B-segment crossovers are in and the manufacturers know that. After spending years with only the Yeti and the Octavia Scout in its rage, Skoda is now expanding its portfolio of 4x4s with the Kodiaq. The seven-seater SUV will undoubtedly be a great success, offering that same excellent value and practical solutions we've come to expect from Skoda, combined with -level of quality.
Skoda models have the tendency of slotting in between traditional segments, with the Octavia being slightly larger than a compact car and the Superb offering more room than some limousines. The Fabia, though, was your ordinary B-segment hatchback, perfectly comparable in size with the Volkswagen Polo or the SEAT Ibiza.
The Skoda Polar is a bit of an unknown at this point. It will definitely be built on the Polo platform since its price will have to be kept down at all costs, but that doesn't mean it can't grow a little. It will also use the same engine line-up consisting of three- and four-cylinder diesel and gasoline turbo engines, even though the latest prognoses suggest that manufacturers will have to reverse to using larger displacement units to meet the new regulations.
Design-wise, this rendering looks to be more accurate than the older one we had, doing a much better job of adapting the Kodiaq lines to this smaller size. The real question that remains is whether the Polar will get a four-wheel-drive option or will simply remain a slightly jacked-up hatchback like the Renault Captur.
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