Student car for desert rallies

Another new car is taking shape in Mladá Boleslav. For the eighth time, the students of the ŠKODA Academy are preparing their dream car. This one will take the form of a rally car for desert racing.

25. 10. 2021 Concepts

Experienced employees from other departments, such as technical development and production, of course, are also working with the students on the AZUBI project. And also designers, who are helping the students finalise the design of their creations.

You can now see the sketches that the pupils have created in collaboration with ŠKODA Design. “The students have done an excellent job. The designs reflect their creativity and great passion for the project,” comments Jiří Hadaščok, Exterior Design Coordinator at ŠKODA, on the progress being made.

A tribute to racing success

Adéla Nešněrová, one of the students involved in the project, is equally enthusiastic. “Our visit to ŠKODA Design was great; we got valuable advice from the experienced designers, plus our dream car is really coming together thanks to their support,” says the fourth-year student specialising in Transport Operations and Economics.

The exterior and interior sketches show a dynamic car which, in addition to providing a great experience for the students, also marks another celebration of ŠKODA Motorsport’s 120^th anniversary and is a tribute to the Czech brand’s achievements in racing. The unveiling of the latest student car will take place gradually as work on the car continues in various areas and disciplines.

The so-called AZUBI cars, i.e. student cars built by a team of students under the ŠKODA Academy banner, have been a tradition at ŠKODA since 2014. A team of 25 students is now working on the eighth student car and is looking forward to presenting the results of their work.

The history of student cars

ŠKODA SLAVIA (2020)

In 2020, the AZUBI project created the unique ŠKODA SLAVIA roadster. The students used the SCALA compact hatchback as a basis, but it was fundamentally redesigned. The car was inspired by the Czech carmaker’s illustrious history and one of the models for the student car was the legendary ŠKODA 1100 OHC roadster, but at the same time the SLAVIA brought a fresh and modern take on the theme. In this way, the students celebrated the 125^th anniversary of the car company.

ŠKODA MOUNTIAQ (2019)

The sixth AZUBI Car in 2019 was the bright orange ŠKODA MOUNTIAQ, a unique pick-up based on the KODIAQ, Mladá Boleslav’s largest SUV. In addition to the bright colour and cargo bed, the car was kitted out for rough terrain, with modifications including a 10 cm higher chassis or a winch at the front. The students designed a number of SIMPLY CLEVER features for the interior and body of the car and spent more than 2,000 hours working on the car.

ŠKODA SUNROQ (2018)

In the fifth year of the AZUBI project, the students took the brand’s best-selling SUV, the KAROQ, as their inspiration. They created a head-turning four-door red ŠKODA SUNROQ convertible that defies all conventions. Powered by a 1.5 TSI four-cylinder engine, the dynamic car was given a completely overhauled body with a number of reinforcements and, above all, a sporty interior with upholstery in a combination of white and red.

ŠKODA ELEMENT (2017)

The small CITIGO model formed the basis for the AZUBI project twice. The second time was in 2017 with the ŠKODA ELEMENT, a very playful interpretation of the beach buggy theme. Among other things, the car paid tribute to the former ŠKODA BUGGY 736 concept from 1973. The ŠKODA ELEMENT boasted electric power and, in addition to being fun to drive, came with a number of practical features such as a fridge or a TV in the boot lid.

ŠKODA ATERO (2016)

In 2016, the ŠKODA Academy students built their dream coupé. Based on the RAPID Spaceback hatchback, the model was given the name ŠKODA ATERO and, in addition to its dynamic three-door body in black paint, featured impressive details such as a 1,800 W audio system.

ŠKODA FUNstar (2015)

The pick-up theme informed the second student car, the ŠKODA FUNstar in 2015, which was based on the ŠKODA FABIA. The pick-up with dynamic looks such as 18-inch wheels from the then ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS, powered by a 1.2 TSI engine delivering 90 kW and was presented at the GTI meeting at Lake Wörthersee in Austria.

ŠKODA CITIJET (2014)

The tradition of AZUBI cars was launched in 2014 by a small but rugged ŠKODA CITIJET. The stylish convertible was based on the small CITIGO and offered a body in a dynamic blue and white colour scheme and an interior for two passengers.

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25. 10. 2021

Student car for desert rallies