Škoda’s new model will make its debut in its domestic market, the Czech Republic, before the end of this year, with the UK and other European countries following at the beginning of summer 2012. The Citigo will be launched in three-door and five-door versions.

“The Citigo is one of the pillars of our growth strategy. It paves the way for tremendous opportunities in a new segment,” said Škoda Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “The Citigo is literally a ‘Simply Clever’ car.

Despite its small size, it offers ample interior space; it is agile while frugal. Put simply: it’s an attractive choice offering many clever ideas. The car offers all of Škoda’s values in a compact package and fits perfectly with our aims.”

With the Citigo, Škoda is entering a new sector. “The demand for small cars with low fuel consumption, at a favourable price and with reasonable operating costs, is growing,” continues Prof. Vahland. “Škoda’s new small vehicle is a reaction to this trend. We are entering new ground and the Citigo will attract prospects mainly in our European markets.”

The designers have given the car a distinct look that defines this as a new Škoda. The finned grille set in a chrome-plated frame and precisely shaped headlamps give the car a typical Škoda look. The Citigo will measure just 3.56 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 1.48 metres high.

The Škoda Citigo is an ideal car in and out of the city. It offers generous interior space. The car’s long wheel base – 2.42 metres – provides enough comfort for four passengers even on long trips. The boot volume is a sizeable 251 litres, which can be extended to 951 litres by folding down the rear seats.

The interior design includes numerous storage compartments, cup holders and multimedia systems, as well as storage pockets on the sides of the front seats. In addition, a special bag hook integrated in to the glovebox handle, and a photograph holder on the central console, are two clever interior elements.

The vehicle has a number of solutions to help improve overall comfort. In the three-door version, the ‘Easy Entry’ system allows easy access to the rear seats. The front passenger’s seat can be moved and folded forward to ensure easy access to the rear seats.

For the first time in a Škoda vehicle, a portable navigation system is available. The device is fitted to the dashboard and can be removed easily and used on the go. Being an integral part of the vehicle’s onboard electronics, the system provides not just navigation, but also hands-free calling with built-in Bluetooth and onboard infotainment.

Using a 5-inch touch screen, the driver can view important information about the car (onboard computer, optical signals from the parking sensors).

The Citigo places great emphasis on safety. For the first time in a Škoda vehicle, the designers have used a Head-Thorax side airbag to protect the heads of both the driver and the front seat passenger.

Along with a number of other items, this system is part of a safety package usually found on much larger cars. In addition, active safety is enhanced by the ‘City Safe Drive’, a new brake assistance system based on a laser sensor that is activated automatically at speeds below 30 km/h when there is danger of a collision.

Depending on the speed and the traffic situation, this automatic braking solution may completely prevent a collision or at least reduce its severity. The risk of bumping into the car ahead is thus reduced significantly in city traffic. The Citigo is one of only two cars in the city car segment to offer the emergency braking function.

Two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines will be available after the Citigo’s launch (44kW/60PS and 55kW/75PS). The engines and the transmission have been designed to provide optimum economy in cities and their surroundings.

Reaching the operating temperature even on short distances, the engines are highly economical. Two highly economical green engines will offer impressively low fuel consumption figures of 67.3mpg and 65.7mpg respectively; with emissions of just 97g and 99g CO2/km respectively.

The fuel consumption and emission levels for the standard engines are also low – 62.8mpg and 105g CO2/km with the 60PS engine and 60.1mpg and 108g CO2/km with the 75PS unit.