Skoda’s rescue and renewal by Volkswagen post-1989 and the Soviet collapse has been a huge success. One of the oldest surviving motor manufacturers, the Czech company has retained considerable autonomy but repaid it by producing car after car which really hit the mark. The big push now is on the 4x4 front.
Skoda has had a four wheel drive range based on the Octavia and Superb for some time. Not confined to performance models, ‘Scout’ versions of the Octavia Estate which ride higher for greater ground clearance appeared quite early on.
Land Rover’s large cars have all received makeovers for 2010. Range Rover was first in July with a supercharged 5.0 litre replacement for the 4.2 V8 petrol unit from Ford’s South Wales engine plant.
For September, the Range Rover Sport inherits the same Jaguar Land Rover 5.0-litre and similar interior and technology refinements. For the Discovery things go further and ‘3’ has become ‘4’.
Three key aspects, according to Land Rover, justify the new ‘name’: a TDV6 3.0 litre twin turbo diesel engine; improved on-road behaviour; fresh design features – inside and out.
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