- Skoda Citigo 5-door, 2013
Škoda presented the new Citigo 5-door subcompact. Following a successful debut in its Czech home market, Škoda will be introducing its seventh and most recent model line in other European markets this spring as both a 3- and a 5-door version. This 3.56 metre long car is Škoda's entry into the fast-growing subcompact segment. The Citigo stands for a perfect price-value ratio and offers a maximum of space, clever features, high safety, perfect handling and an attractive design. The Škoda Citigo is produced in Bratislava.
"Following our record sales result in 2011, we intend to keep on growing in the coming years. The Citigo is of crucial importance to this growth strategy. This new model will open up the fast-growing subcompact segment for our brand," says Škoda CEO Winfried Vahland. "This will provide a lasting boost to our favourable market position in Western and Central Europe and Europe's big cities. The Citigo is the perfect car for the city: compact yet roomy, economical yet agile, attractive, safe and featuring many clever ideas. The Citigo offers all of Škoda's brand values on the smallest possible footprint. This is especially true of the 5-door version," said Vahland.
Compact and roomy
At 3.56 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 1.48 metres high, the Citigo ranks among the most compact and at the same time among the roomiest cars in its segment. The Citigo is to conquer new customer groups for Škoda especially in Europe. Says CEO Vahland: "The Citigo puts us on the map in a car segment that today represents almost 10 percent of global car sales. Europe accounts for one quarter of these sales. In the years to come, demand for cars with low fuel consumption, an attractive price and low operating costs will grow sharply. This means the Citigo is coming at just the right time and will win over many customers for Škoda, especially in Europe."
A subcompact for all generations
In marketing the Citigo, Škoda is targeting young drivers just as much as families looking for a second car or so-called "best agers." "Our new model is a subcompact that transcends generations and caters to individuals that are highly cost-conscious and have a high demand for quality, practicality, design and safety," Winfried Vahland stresses. It is exactly the combination of these qualities that the Škoda Citigo embodies perfectly. Three trim lines are available: Active, Ambition and Elegance.
Clever all around
True to the "City Clever" motto, the car is an allrounder made for the city. It handles easily and offers superior visibility. At the same time, the car offers Škoda's typical interior values, providing a high level of "Value for Money". No competitor from outside Volkswagen Group has a bigger boot volume (251 litres) and interior width (1.36 metres). Folding down the back seat rest increases luggage volume to 959 litres. Thanks to a 2.42 metre wheelbase, four can sit in comfort even on long trips. In the three-door version, an Easy Entry function facilitates access to the rear seats.
Quite a character
This city runabout's design shows a character typical of the brand. The first look will tell you: her comes a real Škoda. The Citigo is the first model ever to bear the brand's new logo. Škoda's new crest, set into the moulded front edge of the bonnet and onto the car's rear has been reduced to bare essentials and is executed in chrome and black. The winged arrow is contoured more precisely than hitherto and comes in chrome where it used to be green. The round emblem carrying the arrow at its centre is black with an enclosing chrome ring. The laurel wreath and Škoda lettering have been dropped from the new logo.
The chrome-framed slat grille and the precisely moulded headlights combine with the new logo to create the typical Škoda face. The designers also outdid themselves in the lateral body layout, which impresses with its clear contours and large glass surfaces. The brand's typical C-shape in the taillights and the logo make the Citigo as unmistakable from the rear as it is from the front.
Simply Clever
The clean and clear layout of the cabin and the bicolour dashboard in the higher-value trim lines create a sense of wellbeing on board the car. A number of ingenious features make the Citigo a real "simply clever car" à la Škoda. One expression of this are the many storage options, cup and multimedia holders and the storage nets on the sides of the front seats' back rests. Other clever solutions include the bag hook integrated into the glove compartment opening mechanism or the photo holder on the dashboard. A convenient range of nets permits safe transport of objects in the boot.
Safety writ large
The Škoda Citigo's designers placed great emphasis on safety. As a result, the Citigo - together with the Volkswagen up! and the Seat Mii - was awarded the top score of five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test. For the first time in a Škoda, head-and-thorax airbags are available for the driver and front seat passenger. This and other features amount to an exemplary passive-safety package. The new "City Safe Drive" braking assistant is an innovation and a safety highlight. This optional city emergency braking function activates itself at speeds below 30 kph. A laser sensor will detect an impending crash. Depending on speed and traffic situation, the subsequent automatic brake actuation can reduce the severity of an impact or even prevent them altogether. This significantly lowers the risk of inner-city rear-end crashes. Together with the VW up! and the Seat Mii, the Škoda Citigo is the only car in the subcompact segment so far to offer this emergency braking function.
Efficient engines
Two new three-cylinder petrol engine in two power variants has been available in the Citigo from its launch: the engine has a displacement of 1.0 litre (999 cu cm) and output 44 kW/60 hp or 55 kW/75 hp. In Green tec, the most efficient variant, average fuel consumption is 4.1 l/100 km. CO2 emissions are 96 g/km. Engines and transmissions have been designed for optimum fuel efficiency in the city and in an urban environment. They will reach their operating temperature quickly even during short trips and will thus operate extremely economically.
Despite their small displacement, the engines achieve a high torque at a low noise level. Based on current plans, a gas-powered engine will be available besides the petrol engines. In this version CO2 emissions will be 79 g/km. In addition, an automated transmission will complement the manual gearbox before year 2012 is out, further improving the Citigo's efficiency.
Distinctive front end
Innovative and fresh, the Citigo immediately conveys the message: I'm with the Škoda family! The car's appearance displays all the elements of Škoda's new design.
Škoda's redesigned logo rests prominently in the bonnet's moulded front edge. Clear and precise, the winged arrow is now executed in chrome on a black-matte base. The Škoda logo rests atop the distinctive grille, whose 19 slats are enclosed by a finely drawn chrome frame. Expressive headlights flanking the grille create the unmistakable face of the car, which endows the front of the Škoda Citigo with additional optical width.
The new Škoda Citigo's headlights give the car a pleasant appearance. Chamfers in the cover glass create optical vibrancy and a precise grinding of the glass. The reflectors in the main headlights, blinkers and daytime running lights all contrast with their shiny black cover plates, thus creating three-dimensionality and optical depth. The front bumper displays a clear and orderly layout. The air intake with its vertical slats and integrated horizontal bar complete the new Citigo's distinctive appearance, as do the circular foglights with their black frames.
Designers went all out in creating the car's side section. The car's lateral contour shows a 1 ½ box design with a short engine area and generous passenger space, one of Škoda's basic brand values. The Citigo impresses with its cleanly modelled surfaces, precisely drawn lines, clear contours and ample side windows. A slightly rising beltline conveys dynamism without obstructing rear seat passengers' visibility. The wheelhouses' vigorous arching and ample lateral surfaces makes the wheels appear larger and underlines the car's solid appearance.
A long wheelbase and minimal overhangs at the front and at the rear make for good proportions and perfect handling in the city. The Škoda Citigo may be ordered as a 3-door or as a 5-door model. In the three-door version, the doors will open to circa 130 cm at an angle of about 80 degrees, permitting easy entry and exit.
The Citigo's rear section displays an equally clear and distinctive layout. The new Škoda logo is positioned centrally on the ample tailgate's raised area. The tailgate's contours run on into the taillights, whose brilliant and three-dimensional execution is typical of Škoda, as is the C-design with a finely drawn reflector band creating unmistakable recognisability both by day and by night. Slender and vertical, the taillights make room for the wide tailgate, which is handsomely framed by the pillars on either side and by the bumper. A clearly designed bumper unit with an integrated numberplate holder underscores the optical width of the car's rear thanks to its horizontal lines, rounding off the Škoda Citigo's solid and high-quality appearance.
Just as compelling is the new subcompact's interior. The first impression on boarding is a surprise at a space that is generous and airy for its class. The cockpit shows a horizontal layout, clearly conveying optical width. Depending on the trimline chosen - Active, Ambition or Elegance - the cockpit is available in interesting colour combination. At the centre of the driver's attention is a steering wheel with lots of grip displaying the new Škoda logo and a combination instrument in a compact design. For good ergonomics, the control unit for the air conditioning, radio and other functions has been placed in the middle of the dashboard. Atop it sits a wide flat-jet nozzle providing draft-free ventilation inside the car. Round jets that can be completely shut have been positioned near the pillars.
The seats with their integrated headrests have been ergonomically designed and provide optimum lateral hold. A large number of combinations of colours and materials convey quality and lots of wellbeing. Numerous storage compartments in the centre console, the glove box and the doors offer enormous storage space and deliver on the Citigo's functional promise. A multitude of Škoda-typical "Simply clever" solutions such as the bag hook on the glove compartments opening handle, the photo holder on the dashboard or the optional "Move&Fun" navigation system will turn every trip in this car into a special experience.
The Škoda Citigo proves its enormous space offering not just to the driver and the front seat passenger, but also to rear seat occupants. Comfortable seating elements can be tilted to permit an enormous increase in boot capacity.
The new Škoda Citigo is a completely new car with a clear and attractive design, perfect functionality and an excellent price-to-value ratio which is bound to set new benchmarks. Here is a car with extremely compact dimension representing a milestone in the ultracompact segment regarding precision and space economy.
Generous space, perfect comfort on board
One of the longest wheelbases in its segment - engines positioned far out front - newly designed axles: the Škoda Citigo's engineers pulled out all the stops to make optimum use of space in the car down to the last millimetre. It's a success: occupants ride with space to spare, in comfort with no hint of tightness. The new Citigo demonstrates that even a subcompact can be roomy on the inside.
The car's interior width is another best in segment. At 1.36 metres, it is way above what most competitors have to offer and makes for good freedom of movement. Headroom numbers in the back also leave nothing to be desired.
The three-door version's "Easy Entry" function enables effortless access to the rear seat. This involves pushing front seats forward and simultaneously folding down its backrest with just one motion of the hand so that rear-seat occupants can sit down easily.
Ergonomic aspects impress with their excellent design, as does seating comfort. Seating position is not too low, and sufficient thigh support in conjunction with knee room creates a comfort level not generally associated with a subcompact. In this connection, designers paid special attention to the positioning of the steering wheel column including the steering wheel itself
At 251 litres, the Citigo's boot space is the largest in its class. The boot also impresses with its height: it will hold objects up to 58 cm high. The boot lid will open to 185 cm. On folding down the rear seat backrest, boot volume increases to 959 litres (Škoda Citigo 5-door). In addition, the resulting loading surface is almost level, permitting to transport objects up to 2 metres long in the Citigo. Other practical items include four hooks in the boot for bags or other objects. In addition, a double storage net attachment suitable for holding objects up to 3 kg in weight in space is available for the boot.
Practical through and through
The Škoda Citigo is a practical car for the city. This is thanks to its agility and easy handling, but also to many simple and practical solutions in its interior. First and foremost, practicality means enough storage space, but without wasting even a millimetre. There are storage areas in the centre console and in the glove compartment. Bottle (up to 1.0 litre) and cup holders are also available. An extremely practical and unique detail is the bag hook attached to the glove compartment. A document and photo holder on the dashboard is also bound to come in handy. A multimedia holder is for storing a mobile telephone, an iPod and other mobile little helpers. The Citigo's "storage net programme" offers practical options for holding small objects on sides of the boot. List of simply clever solutions includes also storage pocket on front seats.
Small car - big on safety
Modern small cars today do not compromise on safety. The Citigo boasts exemplary active and passive safety features, which Euro NCAP, the consumer protection organisation, awarded a top rating of five stars only a few weeks ago. An innovation and a highlight in the subcompact segment at the same time is the "City Safe Drive" automatic braking assistant. This optional automatic emergency braking function helps prevent urban accidents. This assistant automatically activates itself at speeds of 5 to 30 kph. In the first stage, a laser sensor integrated into the windshield will scan the space 10 metres ahead of the Citigo. If an impending collision is detected, the braking system will be conditioned in the second stage if the driver shows no reaction, with the hydraulic braking assistant being switched to increased sensitivity. Depending on the situation, the third stage involves an automatic emergency braking action through to standstill or support for the driver to achieve maximum braking deceleration if the driver himself does not brake hard enough. In case of extreme collision danger, deceleration will reach 10 m/s2. Depending on speed and the actual traffic situation, "City Safe Drive" can reduce an accident's severity or prevent impact altogether.
In all this, a driver will retain full control and responsibility for the vehicle at all times. A driver can deactivate the system's function at any time by accelerating, steering or pressing the clutch pedal. He may also choose to switch the function off by pressing a button. In this case, a symbol with the wording "off" will indicate deactivation. This indication will be visible for 5 seconds, reappearing whenever the car is in motion within the 5 to 30 kph speed band. In case of malfunction, the symbol will flash slowly and continuously.
Mobile information and navigation with "Move&Fun"
The Škoda Citigo also proves clever when it comes to modern multifunction systems. Available for the first time ever in a Škoda is the optional "Move&Fun" mobile multifunctional infotainment system. "Move&Fun" is about navigation, telephone, information and entertainment. The system was developed in cooperation with Navigon, the German navigation system specialists.
The system will not just show the right way while driving, it can also be carried outside the car. In addition, important vehicle data such as onboard computer information or parking sensor signals are displayed via the mobile system's touch screen. To fix "Move&Fun," simply click into place in its sturdy holder located on the middle console. This will connect the system to the car's electronics.
"Move&Fun" combines four info- and entertainment offerings in one device: a navigation system, a hands-free telephone, a media player and a vehicle information system. The content is organised correspondingly: car, media, navigation and telephone. A 5-inch colour touchscreen serves as interface for activating and operating the system.
The "car" menu area holds all of the onboard computer's relevant information regarding range, consumption data, trip time and speed. An instrument panel that is generated digitally but features analogue displays shows engine speed, engine oil temperature and coolant temperature. In addition, status displays show whether all doors are closed.
The "navigation" menu area contains the navigation system. It includes maps for a total of 37 countries. In addition, it will display so-called "Points of Interest" (PoI): up to 500 personal favourites, in full detail and in in 3D. Also, "Move&Fun" can point out 2 million landmarks. Other useful features include a search function for parking lots and parking garages, import of Outlook addresses or a "vehicle log".
In cars fitted with the "Funky" Radio-CD system, the "Media" menu area allows operation of Radio and CD or MP3 player via "Move&Fun" as well. Select stations or tracks and play them on the radio, from a micro SD card readers (for cards with up to 32 Gigabyte) or via the "Funky"'s CD/MP3 player. Or play music from your iPod or iPhone via Bluetooth. Photos can be displayed from an SD card. In addition, the driver or front seat passenger can still actuate radio functions on the radio itself. Thus, when "Move&Fun" is being used for navigation, tracks or volume can still be selected and adjusted on the radio without affecting the on-screen display.
Finally, the telephone menu area: At the core is the hands-free function, which connects to a Bluetooth-enabled telephone to allow safe and legal conversations. The touchscreen will display a keypad and a connected telephone's entire phonebook as well as numbers dialled last. Voice operation is also possible.
Safety: at the highest level
The Citigo ranks among the safest cars in the subcompact segment. This is down to exemplary safety features as well as a comprehensive safety package in case of an accident. The Citigo's high safety level was especially confirmed even before its introduction by Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme), the European consumer protection organisation. Awarding an optimum score of five stars for the Citigo's performance in the renowned Euro NCAP crash test, Euro NCAP praised the Citigo's overall package including occupant protection, child safety, pedestrian protection and safety assistance systems.
In the active safety area, the Škoda Citigo's safe and assured on-road behaviour played an outstanding role. In many countries, the Citigo comes with ABS and ESP as standard. The car's compact package with short overhangs front and rear in combination with a long wheelbase and a stiff body structures create the basis for good driving dynamics and suspension setup.
The front axle is a MacPherson system with wishbones. A subframe is its central element, anchoring the single-shell wishbones as well as the stabiliser, the steering and the engine mount's pendulum support, with the stabiliser directly connected to the strut. The subframe's walls are only 1.88 mm thick and made from high-tensile S420MC steel, providing high strength even in a lightweight construction. The torsion beam rear axle also impresses with its low weight and compact assembly. A very stiff axle body was designed for a high torsion rate. A special shape and mounting of the beam's cross-section with a downward opening ensures the rear axle's self-steering behaviour is geared precisely to the driving dynamics specifications.
The Škoda Citigo's brakes provide short stopping distances and high reliability. The front ventilated disc brakes are a completely new design. Compared with corresponding-size brake disks hitherto employed in Volkswagen Group, vehicle weight is reduced by 1.5 kilogrammes, also improving ride comfort. The rear axle is fitted with drum brakes that also serve as the mechanical handbrake. The brake servo has a tandem main braking cylinder and an integrated brake light sensor. The brakes operate to two performance maps. The comfort map emphasises good control. If harder braking becomes necessary, the system triggers the second map, which includes a boost factor. This significantly reduces the necessary so-called stepping force required of the driver, improving safety.
The braking system's special highlight is the new active "City Safe Drive" braking assistant. An innovation and a highlight in the subcompact segment at the same time is the "City Safe Drive" automatic braking assistant. This optional automatic emergency braking function helps prevent urban accidents.
Depending on speed and the actual traffic situation, automatic braking actuation can reduce an impact's severity or prevent it altogether. Together with the up! and the Seat Mii, the Citigo is the only subcompact so far to offer this emergency braking function.
This assistant automatically activates itself at speeds of 5 to 30 kph. In the first stage, a laser sensor integrated into the windshield will scan the space 10 metres ahead of the Citigo. If an impending collision is detected, the braking system will be conditioned in the second stage if the driver shows no reaction, with the hydraulic braking assistant being switched to increased sensitivity. Depending on the situation, the third stage involves an automatic emergency braking action through to standstill or support for the driver to achieve maximum braking deceleration if the driver himself does not brake hard enough. In case of extreme collision danger, deceleration will reach 10 m/s2. Depending on speed and the actual traffic situation, "City Safe Drive" can reduce an accident's severity or prevent impact altogether.
In all this, a driver will retain full control and responsibility for the vehicle at all times. A driver can deactivate the system's function at any time by accelerating, steering or pressing the clutch pedal. He may also choose to switch the function off by pressing a button. In this case, a symbol with the wording "off" will indicate deactivation. This indication will be visible for 5 seconds, reappearing whenever the car is in motion within the 5 to 30 kph speed band. In case of malfunction, the symbol will flash slowly and continuously.
Euro NCAP testers awarded high marks to the Citigo's occupant protection. This involved testing crash safety in front-end and side crashes, the pole test and the so-called whiplash test, which determines strain to the cervical spine in a rear-end crash. Škoda's most recent models also scores well in child safety, taking full marks in the test involving protection of a dummy simulating a three-year old toddler.
Also contributing to child safety is the fact that Isofix child seats can be anchored in special Isofix fixation points and Toptether attachments in the rear of the car, securely connecting child seats to the car.
Euro NCAP testers were also impressed with the performance level of the Citigo's assistance systems. Standard seat-belt fastening reminders on all seats and the standard offer of an ESP electronic stability programme in many markets especially made a very positive contribution to the result. Head-and-thorax airbags as standard equipment also added positive notes. Yet another strong point was the Early Crash Sensor integrated into directly behind the front bumper. This activates seat belt tensioners ahead of a front-end crash which then tighten fastened seat belts within milliseconds, with belt force limiters then reducing impending strain to the ribcage while front airbags catch the occupant's torsos.
The Škoda Citigo features electromechanical power steering with an actuator on the steering column. Power steering operates on demand that is to say only when it is needed. This reduces power consumption resulting in a mileage improvement of about 0.2 l/100 km as compared to hydraulic steering. The steering's active return to a central position increases steering comfort and a safe feeling while driving because less correcting movements become necessary. The Citigo's steering column is designed to telescope in a crash, with specially designed deformation elements with defined force paths reducing the risk of injury.
