VW Mid-Engine Roadster to Spawn SEAT and Skoda Variants

Citing inside sources, German car magazine 'Auto Motor und Sport' is reporting that the VW Group is planning to introduce SEAT and Skoda variants of its forthcoming mid-engine roadster that will be based on theBlueSport concept unveiled at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Due to arrive sometime in 2012, VW's edition of the roadster will most likely be offered with the firm's TSI / TFSI gasoline and TDI diesel engines.

While a SEAT variant of the mid-engine roadster sounds logical given that the Spanish brand is supposed to be somewhat sporty (as long as it comes with a unique styling and a lower price tag than the VW's proposal), a Skoda version doesn't really make much sense in our opinion.

The Czech automaker has made a name for itself as a producer of reasonably priced family cars and we can't see how a two-seater roadster fits into this image. Unless VW has other plans for Skoda, producing a third variant (maybe even forth if Audi gets its own version) will only confuse the Group's buyers and most probably, lure away customers from SEAT.

Skoda Fabia Scout wannabe Crossover @ geneva motorshow

The ever-growing family of crossoverish station-wagons has just welcomed a new member in the form of the Skoda Fabia Scout that is set to make its world debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show. But despite its off-road looks and unlike Audi's A4 Allroad Quattro or Subaru's Legacy Outback, the Fabia Scout retains the standard model's front-wheel drive architecture.

Based on the subcompact Fabia Estate, the Scout has been adorned with plastic cladding, newly styled bumpers and silver roof-rails.Other distinctive features of the Fabia Scout include fog lamps (with corner design), tinted windows and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, apart from the Scout-specific upholstery there's floor mats bearing the Scout logo, pedals with stainless steel surfaces and anti-slip, heavy-duty rubber elements.

When it goes on sale across Europe from late May this year, the Fabia Scout will be available with four powerplants. The petrol engines will consist of a 85HP 1.4 litre, with fuel consumption of 6.5L/100km (43.5mpg UK) and a 105HP 1.6 litre with a fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km (40.9mpg UK).

The two diesel engines are a 80HP 1.4 litre with fuel consumption of 4.6L/100km (61.4mpg UK) and the top-of-the-range 105HP 1.9-litre engine with fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km (57.7mpg UK).