ŠKODA Felicia: Start van een nieuw ŠKODA tijdperk, 20 jaar geleden

Hetzer

Forumguru
17.10.2014 |
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› Series production of the ŠKODA Felicia began on 17 October 1994
› First ŠKODA to be manufactured in partnership with the Volkswagen Group
› 1.4 million of the Felicia series sold between 1994 and 2001




Mladá Boleslav, 17 October 2014 – Jubilee of the ŠKODA Felicia: 20 years ago today, the first ŠKODA model ran off the production lines after joining forces with the Volkswagen Group. Between 17 October 1994 and 2001 around 1.4 million of the ŠKODA Felicia were produced as hatchbacks, estates, pick-ups, Vanplus and Fun models at the Mladá Boleslav, Vrchlabí and Kvasiny plants.

The ŠKODA Felicia became the first model to be produced in collaboration with the Volkswagen Group, highlighting the successful development of the partnership between the Czech manufacturer and VW since the 1990s. Three years after joining forces with the VW Group, ŠKODA presented the new small car as the successor to the hitherto manufactured ŠKODA Favorit. Sophisticated technology, plenty of space, good build quality and modern design characterized the new ŠKODA model that was produced as hatchback, estate, pick-up, Vanplus and Fun versions.

Dawn of a new era
ŠKODA and the Volkswagen Group sealed their new partnership in April 1991. ŠKODA’s rapid rise to becoming an internationally successful brand began under the umbrella of Europe's largest car manufacturer. Shortly after the contract was signed, work began on a new ŠKODA model named Felicia.

The launch of the ŠKODA Felicia heralded a new era of modern, Western production and quality standards at ŠKODA. The development was based on the previous model ŠKODA Favorit, however, ŠKODA adopted substantial changes in terms of design, workmanship, technology and production methods with the support of the Volkswagen Group. On 17 October, 1994, at exactly 10:20, the first ŠKODA Felicia rolled off the series production line in Mladá Boleslav.

Just nine days later, ŠKODA presented the new hatchback model to the public for the first time. On 26 October, 1994, three ŠKODA Felicias in the Czech national colours of red, blue and white were christened with Vltava water on Charles Bridge, Prague by the then Mayor of Prague Jan Koukal. One of the first vehicles was presented to the Ondráčeks – proud parents of nine-month-old quadruplets.

The Felicia was originally released with a 1289cc petrol engine with two output options – 40 kW and 50 kW. The engine range was soon expanded. In 1995 a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 55 kW output and a 47 kW 1.9-litre four-cylinder diesel were launched.

ŠKODA expanded the Felicia range barely a year after the introduction of the first hatchback version. From June, 1995, the ŠKODA Felicia Combi became the next spacious and practical family car. Shortly after the introduction of the estate, the manufacturer started the production of a pickup version in August 1995 at the Kvasiny plant (including the closed version Vanplus). Later, the ŠKODA Felicia Fun, a model based on the ŠKODA Felicia Pick-up, was released, designed for leisure use. Additionally, around 18,500 of the pick-up version were produced and sold under the name Volkswagen Caddy.

Quality, safety and equipment
For the Czech manufacturer, the ŠKODA Felicia signified a new milestone in terms of quality and safety. ŠKODA became the first Czech engine manufacturer to achieve the international quality certificate ISO 9002 in 1994. The ŠKODA Felicia’s good safety level was confirmed in the crash tests carried out by the German TÜV in 1995. The ŠKODA Felicia was the first of the brand’s models to offer two airbags and ABS, as well as comfort features, such as air-conditioning, front electric windows and leather seats in the top-of-the-range Felicia Laurin & Klement.

Success in motorsport
The ŠKODA Felicia even did very well in international motorsport. The model was used for three seasons between 1995 and 1997 in the rally world championships. In the first season alone, ŠKODA Felicia Kit Car landed third place in its class, with Emil Triner and Pavel Sibera behind the wheel. In 1996 Stig Blomqvist took sensational third place with the ŠKODA Felicia in the overall rankings of the British RAC Rally. Finally in 1997, the ŠKODA Felicia scored second place in its class at the Rally World Championships. ŠKODA then went on to further rallying success with the Octavia WRC.

1998 ŠKODA Felicia completely revised
The ŠKODA Felicia was completely revised and relaunched in the February of 1998. ŠKODA trimmed the shape of the model to the brand’s new design language that had begun two years previously with the ŠKODA Octavia.

After exactly 1,401,489 of the vehicle had been produced, the last ŠKODA Felicia rolled off the line in 2001 to make way for its 1999 successor – the ŠKODA Fabia.



MANUFACTURE OF THE ŠKODA FELICIA SERIES

VersionsNumber of vehicles produced
ŠKODA Felicia915 853
ŠKODA Felicia Combi351 895
ŠKODA Pickup124 589
ŠKODA Felicia Vanplus5160
ŠKODA Felicia Fun3992
Total1 401 489

Note: Beyond the scope of this production run, a further 18 592 Pick-up vehicles were manufactured and sold under the brand name VW Caddy.
 

JJB

Lid
Leuk, mijn eerste Skoda was een Felicia Combi 1.9D van 1999. In die tijd was Skoda in Nederland nog niet zo geaccepteerd en veelgezien als nu. Het was een eenvoudige maar ruime auto waar ik veel probleemloze en voordelige kilometers mee heb gemaakt.
 

Desperado

Forumguru
De Felicia.....ook mijn eerste Skoda. Wat een gewedige auto was dat. Goedkoop en luxe en eigenlijk probleemloos.
 

ertromp

Forumguru
En nog zonder de diverse veiligheid systemen zoals esp e.d. Dat is nog echt sturen en werken! Vandaag op de rijvaardigheidstraining nog een mooie blauwe Felicia Combi in perfecte staat gezien
 

Cordoba

Forumguru
Ik heb het idee dat er ergens iets niet klopt met de datum: in de zomer/najaar van 1994 was ik op zoek naar een vervanger voor mijn Seat Ibiza uit '91, en daarbij heb ik ook naar de Felicia gekeken. Uiteindelijk ben ik voor een Corsa met 109 pk gegaan (grootste miskoop op auto-gebied ooit) en die is in augustus '94 op kenteken gezet. Of ik moet destijds pré-productie exemplaren hebben gezien bij de dealers?? In elk geval zijn er 2 redenen waarom ik destijds niet voor de Felicia ben gegaan: de initieel beschikbare motoriseringen waren nogal tam, en óf en wannner er snellere versies zouden komen was onbekend. De andere reden was dat de moter volgens de dealer nog een echt Skoda-blok was, en daar had ik ook zo m'n twijfels over.
 

Desperado

Forumguru
Die Fun heeft lang op mijn verlanglijstje gestaan. Helaas was het toen niet haalbaar er één aan te schaffen.
 
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