Skoda has begun series production of its version of the VW up! and the SEAT Mii, the new Citigo.
The small car will be made at the Czech car maker’s production facility in Bratislava, Slovakia and will be introduced to the Czech market at the end of this year. A pan-European roll-out will follow next summer and will include the UK.
Unveiled at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Citigo will initially be a three-door model, with a five-door variant appearing in 2012.
“The Citigo is a central component of our growth strategy,” said the chairman of the board of Skoda, Prof Winfried Vahland. “With this automobile, we are starting our model offensive in Europe. It opens up the important small car market for Skoda and perfectly applies our values in the shape of a city car. Citigo is compact yet spacious, economical yet agile, attractive and equipped with many innovative ideas. This car is ‘city clever’.”
With a length of 3.56m, a width of 1.65m and a height of 1.48m, the Citigo is compact but on the inside offers space for four adults.
For the first time, a head/thorax side airbag for the driver and front passenger are included in a new Skoda. In conjunction with other advanced technologies, such as the new City Safe Drive active brake assistant, Skoda has said the Citigo will offer drivers an outstanding passive safety package.
What’s more, customers will have the choice of two 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines, developing 60 and 75bhp.
