Re: Automotive Industries mag

[tnas@dtpdirect.nl (Tom Nas, DTP Direct bv)]

Igor wrote:

2. "1996 Paris Auto Show"

<A photograph of a red car with an ugly black rectangular grill with a
round logo>
Dubbed "the cheapest Audi you can buy" by cynics, the Skoda Octavia
compact sedan moves VW's Czech unit into a new segment. Bigger than
previous Skodas and using running gear from next year's VW Golf/Jetta
replacements, the Octavia stole the show with it's high equipment level
and low price. Engines include a normally aspirated 125 hp version of
the 20-valve 4-cyl. Audi 1.8L.

It's indeed based on the floorpan of the A3/Golf Mk.IV. Apart from the
somewhat concocted-looking grill, I think this is a great-looking car. At
last, a Skoda that doesn't look cheap. Interior looks quite good when you
consider the price, too. It's priced just under comparable Golfs and offers
a lot more interior space, equipment etc. It's no Audi alternative, but if
I was offered a Japanese saloon or a Skoda, I'd pick the latter, because it
looks better and has great engines.

It is getting rather difficult for VW, I think. They seem to be competing
with themselves. This gives me a slight deja-vu feeling: Just like BMC did
in the fifties and sixties... We now have a choice of VW, Audi, Seat and
Skoda, with the same engines, overlapping in spec and price. Hmmmm.....

Tom

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   Tom W. Nas, graphic design                        tnas@dtpdirect.nl
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