Explore Sweden: Testing 4×4 Škoda models on ice and snow

› Sweden is the perfect place for an ice and snow driving experience with the complete range of Škoda 4×4 vehicles
› Co-drives in the Fabia RS Rally2 with rally drivers Andreas Mikkelsen and Emil Lindholm
› Škoda attempts ice drift world record in Sweden

Mladá Boleslav, 17 January 2023 – Škoda Auto explores Sweden! The Czech carmaker is organizing a 4×4 Winter Experience event in central Sweden. The complete portfolio of all-wheel drive Škoda models, including the all-electric Enyaq iV series, will be presented in the kingdom of nearly 100,000 lakes, which also boasts a well-developed industry and world-leading sustainable energy sector. Participants can look forward to scenic drives, featuring unspoilt nature and exciting activities focused on the cars’ handling on a frozen lake. The highlights of the event will be co-driving the Fabia RS Rally2 and an attempt to break a world record for the longest continuous drift on ice with the Enyaq RS iV.

Sweden has a thriving economy, with efficient forestry and industry. Half of the country is covered by forests, and agricultural land accounts for about 10% of the total area. The Swedish landscape, which is relatively flat, is dotted with nearly 100,000 lakes, creating a plentiful supply of water. In the central Swedish province of Jämtland, the city of Östersund stands on the shore of the country’s fifth largest lake, Storsjön. There and on the nearby island of Frösön, Škoda Auto is hosting the 4×4 Winter Experience event. The university town of Östersund, with a population of about 50,000, is well known as a venue for winter sports such as biathlon and speed skating.

Sweden has been undergoing a major energy transition in recent years, with an emphasis on low-carbon production. In the first half of 2022, it was the largest electricity exporter in Europe, exporting 16 terawatt-hours of electric energy. Most of Sweden’s electricity comes from nuclear power plants, hydropower and biofuels. Low-carbon energy production can significantly reduce pollutant emissions across much of northern Europe. At the same time, Sweden is greatly increasing the efficiency of industrial production: despite the fact that industry has been growing continuously, current energy consumption is about the same as it was in the 1980s, when industrial output in Sweden was much lower.

The Swedish approach is also an inspiration for Škoda Auto. Sustainability is one of the key themes of the car maker’s Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030: to consistently promote climate-neutral mobility and production, and to more than halve the Škoda fleet’s CO₂ emissions between 2020 and 2030.

The 4×4 Winter Experience will offer test drives of the entire portfolio of Škoda all-wheel drive models – with vehicles from the Octavia, Karoq, Kodiaq and Superb model series as well as the 80x and RS versions of the all electric Enyaq iV and Enyaq Coupé iV. The test drives will take place on scenic routes with minimal impact on the countryside. The frozen lake will feature exclusive activities: braking exercises, slalom, handling track and drifting course. And with Škoda Motorsport involved, participants will even have the opportunity to experience its new model, the Fabia RS Rally2, as co-drivers. Journalists will be able to go on rides with well-known drivers such as Andreas Mikkelsen and Emil Lindholm.

The highlight of the event will see Škoda attempt to break the record for the longest continuous drift on ice and set a new record for the longest continuous drift on ice in an electric vehicle – with the newly introduced Enyaq RS iV.

Both Škoda Motorsport and Škoda teams working on the technical development of production vehicles regularly go to Sweden to test their cars, even at the prototype stage. The other Scandinavian countries are not left out, however. The last similar event, focusing on the all-wheel drive model portfolio available at the time, was held in Finland in 2018. Now is the time to invite interested parties for another round of test drives.