Skoda Rapid - North East England

No Split of opinion during Croatian visit to see new Skoda models.

Derek Slack Motors recently attended a showcase premier in Split-Croatia, featuring no less than six Skoda models sporting the brand’s stylish new design. With five models set to be launched by the end of 2013 it represents yet another exciting stage in Skoda’s development. “It all came as somewhat of a surprise”, said Tony Slack-Dealer Principle at Derek Slack Motors. “We thought we’d come to view the new Skoda Rapid, but the surprise cat-walk actually featured seven up and coming models. Obviously the star of the show were the two soon to be launched Rapid models, a hatch and the Spaceback.”

The World Dealer Conference gave dealers the opportunity to see how Skoda’s ambitious growth plans are set to make the brand go from strength to strength over the coming years. With five new models and the new Skoda Rapid it represents a new dawn for Skoda.

The following morning drivers got behind the wheel of the new Rapid and drove up the mountains above Split. “The rapid was a lovely car to drive”, continued Tony. “ It’s a real family car with lots of room and diamond-sharp edges, on the wheels, the roof line and down the side of the car. It offers the modern family, space, style and great value too.”

Skoda’s new cars and design have once again raised the benchmark for affordable quality. Tony finshed by saying, “There are some very exciting times ahead and Derek Slack Motors are pleased to be a part of this exciting future.”

Subaru BRZ arrives in the North East

Since its arrival, the new Subaru BRZ has caught the attention of everyone visiting Derek Slack Motors. Personally, I’m unable to walk through the Subaru end of the showroom without pausing, touching, ooh-ahing. For the moment I’m talking purely aesthetics. Yes, it’s beautiful, but there’s something else going on with this Subaru /Toyota collaboration. There’s a strong, almost disturbing desire to get in behind the wheel. I’m pleased to say I’m not alone with this fixation. The sound of the BRZ driver’s passenger door opening and closing has become a familiar echo in our dealership. The driving position is wonderful and I have to admit there’s a deep sense of longing to be alone on the open road. Sorry, that was me day dreaming again! Under the body (and now we’re talking technical) is the Subaru 2.0 flat-four front- mounted engine which goes under the code-name of FB20. Sounds a little like thunderbirds, but once you drive it, you’ll agree it’s fitting. The BRZ engine sits 12cm lower than the Impreza and a full 24cm further back, resulting in a 45.55% weight distribution. Thanks to the Toyota derived cylinder head and direct injection, the 200bhp BRZ speeds up faster than even I could have imagined. It’s also not without good reason, Subaru place a huge rev counter in front of you. 7000rpm produces 200bhp with a maximum torque of 151ib ft at 4000rpm.

AutoExpress descibed the BRZ as...”Subaru should be applauded for reigniting the classic rear-wheel-drive, front-engine sports car spark with the driver-focused BRZ.”

My apologies go out to the families of the Derek Slack Motors sales team if teas have gone by way of the dog. Taking turns of an evening sitting behind the wheel of the BRZ (however sad), has now become a way of life. Until you see it for real you’ll simply never understand why grown men behave they way they do with cars. It’s worth mentioning the Subaru BRZ has the exact same effect on the ladies too. If you’d like to stand in the que to sit behind the wheel of the Subaru BRZ, please visit Derek Slack Motors, home to Subaru in Teesside and North Yorkshire.

Isuzu D-Max Teesside and North Yorkshire

The all new Isuzu D-Max has landed in Middlesbrough at Derek Slack Motors. There’s a very good reason why Isuzu have adopted the strap line ‘The Pick-Up Professionals’. Isuzu not only produce class leading pick-ups, but build a range of vehicles to suit every possible outdoor use. From builder to farmer, from business user and those working in extreme conditions, Isuzu have a pick-up to suit all. Okay, so here’s some of the technical stuff...the engine offers new improved fuel efficiency, 2.5 twin turbo,163ps with 400 NM of tourque. With a towing capacity of 3000kg, the pure pulling power makes the D-Max a class leader. Isuzu have introduced a single cab, extended cab (with a clever side access panel) and double cab model. There is also a new switchable 4x4 system, electronic stability control and traction control system with ABS. As you would expect from Isuzu, those tough external features are also matched by high levels of comfort. The ‘Eiger’ double cab has all the features you’d expect in an executive car, including Bluetooth, alloys and iPod connectivity, while it’s big brother the ‘Yukon’ double cab also has leather steering wheel, cruise, six speaker radio. The flagship model ‘Utah’ includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, 17” alloys and automatic climate control, but to be truthful, the real reason you’re looking to buy an Isuzu pick-up is because of the legendary hardworking, dependable reliability. From our location at Cargo Fleet in Middlesbrough, we’re ideally placed to serve Isuzu customers in North Yorkshire, Cleveland coast, Durham, Darlington and Teesside. We’ve already taken lots of orders for the entry level D-Max 4x2 priced from only £14,499, a snip when you consider what you’re buying into. If you’d like to see the new Isuzu D-Max or book a test drive, please call us on, 08433 201267, or visit our dealership on Cargo Fleet Middlesbrough.Or visit the Derek Slack Motors website.

ŠKODA Rapid

The new ŠKODA Rapid will make its debut in Europe before the end of this year with the UK version expected to look almost identical to the MissionL concept pictured left. When the Rapid arrives at Derek Slack Motors, it will sit between the Fabia and Octavia in the ŠKODA range, offering a family-orientated model in a segment that is growing in all markets around the world. However, few people realise that the new car’s name is steeped in history. The original rear-wheel drive Rapid was produced in Mlada Boleslav from 1934 to 1947,and had several facelifts and cutting-edge engine options, just like today's ŠKODA range. With engines ranging from 1.2 to 2.2 litres, the original Rapid evolved to develop 61 PS, enough to whisk the car to 81mph and ensure the Rapid wasn’t just used as a family car, but also for racing and long-distance touring.

In 1935, Mr Bohuslav Jan Prochazka drove his 1.4-litre Rapid around the world in 98 days, covering more than 17,000 miles in the process – a considerable test of a car’s reliability. The car's only modifications were an extra-large fuel tank – which allowed him to drive 1,000 miles between fill-ups – and a secret compartment containing two handguns and a Thompson submachine gun.  As well as overcoming the challenges of long-distance driving during the interwar period, Prochazka had to deal with the Russian weather (see bottom right) and Soviet paranoia. He had to drive through Russia at night escorted by a soldier because Stalin was convinced he was a spy, and most of the country's roads had been left as muddy tracks to slow down any potential invasion. Long journeys and high mileages were only made possible by the Rapid’s technical features, which were far more advanced than those on other cars at the time. The cylinders, for example, used a replaceable ‘wet liner’ system, which, coupled with independent suspension, helped make the Rapid a huge success – one that will hopefully be repeated when the Rapid name reappears on our roads later this year.  The new Rapid perfectly embodies the brand’s values: fresh design, functionality, roominess, ingenuity, and price-to-value ratio typical for our cars. It’s an ideal car for families. Watch this space for more news.

Skoda Yeti top in the Auto Express Driver Car Power Survey.

Skoda Yeti is top in the Auto Express Driver Car Power Survey. Once again Skoda stole the show in the 2012 Auto Express Driver Power car ownership survey with the Skoda Yeti securing top place, closely followed by the Superb, (swapping positions from last year’s previous awards). It’s amazing to think it’s only taken the Yeti two attempts to win top place and one of those second. Winning three categories including, handling, reliability and ease of driving. Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, said: "Skoda clearly knows a thing or two about keeping its customers happy. It builds cars people love, while its dealers do all they can to please owners. Skoda's advertising says that it's the manufacturer of happy drivers - this year's Driver Power survey shows it to be correct!" To find out more about the Skoda Yeti range including the new Urban Special Edition with £2,450 worth of extra equipment and the first ever Skoda to be sold in the UK with digital radio as standard, call Derek Slack Motors on 08433 201267 or visit our main website at: www.derekslackmotors.co.uk

82nd Geneve Motorshow

A whistle stop tour of the 82nd Geneve Motorshow and Derek and I are back in Middlesbrough, with the wind still in our hair. I think the show gets better each year and I’m always amazed at the number of people who visit. Top of the list of ‘must see’ vehicles was the new Skoda Citigo 5-door. Making its world premier, the Skoda Citigo is already proving a big hit with the motoring press. Skoda certainly know how to tick all the right boxes. Described in the motoring industry as the ‘city segment’, the Citigo consumes just 4.1 litres of fuel every 100km with only 96g/km of CO2. The 1-litre three cylinder engine can also produce 75bhp, so for those looking for a fuel efficient, dashing city car, the Citigo is certainly worth closer inspection. We’ll let you know as soon as the Citigo arrives in Derek Slack Motors’ showroom.

There were plenty of other exciting premiers at the show, including the new Isuzu D-Max Pickup, the Subaru Impreza AWD (which will be available in a 1.6 petrol engine), and the jaw dropping Subaru BRZ. Jointly produced with Toyota, the 2.0 BRZ boxer engine purrs over 200bhp. It can accelerate from 0-100 in seven seconds, (which is about the same amount of time it takes to get out my chair these days) and with a staggering top speed of 225km/h (which is fairley fast by any standards) and drooling good looks, it’s all set to be a winner. Although you won’t ever be able to put the figures to the test on UK roads, you will be able to enjoy the low centre of gravity, which makes handling so easy.

It was a great show, and we’re really excited about the arrival of all four vehicles to our showroom over the coming months. You can see more from the show by visiting this link.

Skoda's 100 year History

If you’re interested in the 100 year history of Skoda, (with origins going back to the 1890‘s) watch this short video covering Skoda’s from 1905-2008, including rare glimpses of unfamiliar models, plus some old favorits too :-) The video starts with Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement’s motorcycle factory in Mlada Boleslav in Czech Republic, covering production through WW2, the following communistic era and the partnership of VW in 1991. To make the story complete, call into Derek Slack Motors’ showroom to see the full 2012 range of Skoda’s, not to mention the arrival of the new Skoda Citigo.