Photo: Skoda
It is natural to change your mind, even if you are an automaker. This would be the case of Skoda, which is considering performance versions of the Superb and Kodiaq models.
Skoda officials previously statedthat the brand would not build a vRS based on the Superb, but the company's CEO, Bernhard Maier, has said that they are considering the possibility. Now, with the launch of the Kodiaq in sight, Skoda is also thinking about building a performance version of the SUV.
In an interview with the Brits at Auto Express, Skoda's CEO explained that the largest models in the brand's portfolio have "serious potential" for vRS variants.
For those of you not familiar with Skoda (like our American readers), the Czech brand owned by the Volkswagen Group uses the "vRS" name for its performance variants. It is the Skoda version of Volkswagen's GTI, if you will.
If one of the two performance versions will be green-lighted, they will arrive on the market in 2018, while the second one will come to showrooms in 2019. The Superb would be the first to receive a vRS version, while the Kodiaq will have to wait for another year, if the board that runs Skoda is convinced these cars will perform well on the market.
As Skoda officials previously explained, developing a performance variant of any model in their range is not a problem for the engineering team. Small sales volumes, the reason why the Fabia hatchback lost its vRS variant, is also why Skoda did not launch a performance model based on the Superb.
In the case of the latter, predicted weak sales made engineers think twice before starting to work on a Superb vRS. Things have changed over the years, and a Fabia-based performance model would not bring enough profit to justify its existence, while the Superb could be a cash cow for the Czech brand.
Like with other automakers, it is not sufficient to develop a product which drives well and looks good, as its creators must also have a "business case" to justify its development.
In the instance of the Superb and Kodiaq, Skoda is beginning to believe that customers are interested in a more expensive model from the brand. These performance variants might be the solution, as they will increase profitability without the costs related to the development of an all-new model.
In an interview with the Brits at Auto Express, Skoda's CEO explained that the largest models in the brand's portfolio have "serious potential" for vRS variants.
For those of you not familiar with Skoda (like our American readers), the Czech brand owned by the Volkswagen Group uses the "vRS" name for its performance variants. It is the Skoda version of Volkswagen's GTI, if you will.
If one of the two performance versions will be green-lighted, they will arrive on the market in 2018, while the second one will come to showrooms in 2019. The Superb would be the first to receive a vRS version, while the Kodiaq will have to wait for another year, if the board that runs Skoda is convinced these cars will perform well on the market.
As Skoda officials previously explained, developing a performance variant of any model in their range is not a problem for the engineering team. Small sales volumes, the reason why the Fabia hatchback lost its vRS variant, is also why Skoda did not launch a performance model based on the Superb.
In the case of the latter, predicted weak sales made engineers think twice before starting to work on a Superb vRS. Things have changed over the years, and a Fabia-based performance model would not bring enough profit to justify its existence, while the Superb could be a cash cow for the Czech brand.
Like with other automakers, it is not sufficient to develop a product which drives well and looks good, as its creators must also have a "business case" to justify its development.
In the instance of the Superb and Kodiaq, Skoda is beginning to believe that customers are interested in a more expensive model from the brand. These performance variants might be the solution, as they will increase profitability without the costs related to the development of an all-new model.
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