Skoda Citigo Revealed, Under Consideration For Australia
SKODA CITIGO
Skoda has pulled a rabbit out of its growing hat this week, unveiling the all-new Citigo city car just days out from the close of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Based on Volkswagen's Up! city car, the Citigo will spearhead Skod
SKODA CITIGO
Skoda has pulled a rabbit out of its growing hat this week, unveiling the all-new Citigo city car just days out from the close of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Based on Volkswagen's Up! city car, the Citigo will spearhead Skoda's overhauled line-up, beating even the small MissionL (or 'Lauretta') liftback sedan to market.
“The Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. It paves the way for tremendous opportunities in a new segment,” Skoda Board Chairman, Winfried Vahland said.
"The Citigo is literally a ‘Simply Clever’ car. Despite its small size, it offers ample interior space; it is agile while frugal. Put simply: it’s an attractive choice offering many clever ideas. The car offers all of ŠKODA's values in a compact package and fits perfectly with our aims."
On the styling front, the Citigo is largely identical to the Up! through its profile, with only Skoda's distinct front- and rear-end styling - and a sharper C-pillar - separating it from its Volkswagen stablemate.
In Europe, the Citigo will launch with the same engines driving the Up!, including 44kW and 55kW versions of a new turbocharged and direct-injected 1.0 litre three-cylinder petrol engine.
The Citigo will make its Czech-market debut later this year, before hitting the UK and the rest of Europe in mid-2012.
Australia
While the Up! is expected to make its Australian debut next year, a local launch for the Citigo remains unclear.
Speaking with TMR today however, Skoda Australia's Karl Gehling confirmed that the diminutive hatch is under consideration.
With plans to sell 1.5 million cars annually by 2018, a sub-$15k offering in Australia could be just what the doctor ordered.