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Skoda Roomster Reportedly Canceled Despite New Model Being Nearly Ready

Considering we have not one, but two sources reporting that Skoda has decided to discontinue the Roomster, we can pretty much take the car for dead.
2016 Roomster prototype 36 photos
Photo: CarPix
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Not a single tear will be shed for the awkward-looking van/MPV, but that doesn't mean we don't have a cool story on our hands. According to Autovie, the Roomster is being dropped because it doesn't fit the Czech car brand. As they want to develop an emotional connection with their customers, the Octavia people don't need any van on their website.

Skoda will also focus more on the production of SUVs, ranging from a small model the size of the Nissan Juke to a 7-seater the size of the X-Trail. Again, this means an old-school people carrier doesn't fit the range.

Using the same line of thought, Dacia also canceled the Logan pickup truck. But if everybody makes better cars, who will make the crappy cheap ones?

The decision may also have something to do with Volkswagen Group's diesel problems. The company's new chairman wants all non-essential cars to be discontinued to conserve money for the expensive global recall and the fallout from the scandal.

But the odd thing is that the decision to can the Roomster comes only months before what could have been the debut of a brand new model. Back in June, we spotted this test prototype that looked like a cross between the VW Caddy and 2015 Fabia hatchback.

Oh, how we talked about all the engines it's going to come with and how it would debut at the Geneva Motor Show. We believed the next Roomster would feel more upmarket and be available with a 1.2 TSI carryover making 84 PS and maybe even the 1.4-liter, capable of burning natural gas. It might have also received the first 3-cylinder TDI unit, courtesy of the EA 288 family.

The Rooster II was supposed to be produced together with the Caddy in Poland. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. But where does this leave the people working at that factory or the people who want to deliver cargo in a Skoda?
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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