Škoda Roomster

The Roomster is based on the concept car of the same name, originally revealed in September 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The concept was slightly shorter – 4,055 mm (159.6 in) against 4,205 mm (165.6 in) – than the production model but has a longer wheelbase – 2,710 mm (106.7 in) against 2,617 mm (103.0 in), and featured a single rear sliding door on the passenger side, which was replaced by two conventionally hinged swinging rear doors. Like the production car it was designed by Thomas Ingenlath and Peter Wouda.

Škoda Roomster (Europe; pre-facelift)

Interior

The production Roomster (premiered at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show) is Škoda's first car since the Volkswagen Group's takeover of the brand that is not based entirely on an existing Volkswagen Group platform – although it is fundamentally based on the A4 (PQ34) platform, but with some unique additions. It shares components with the first generation Škoda Octavia[2] and the second generation Škoda Fabia.

The name is reportedly a conscious combination of the words 'Room' and 'Roadster', and the split personality theme is played out in the design with a carefully honed 'Driving Room' ahead of the B pillars, and a generous 'Living Room' to the rear. The front ‘Driving Room‘ is tailor-made to comply with the driver's requirements for a sporty cockpit.

The rear ‘Living Room‘ is aimed at creating roomy ambiance with the so-called ‘Cinema Effect‘ with higher seating and lower edge of windows. Škoda conceived the Roomster's cabin in a way it can have different configurations at the choice of the user.

The 'VarioFlex' rear seat arrangement[2] can be folded in a 40–20–40 split configuration, instead of the more usual 40–60, and can also be moved longitudinally and transversely (by removing the middle seat). The rear seats also have variable inclination up to 7° to the back, or completely to the front[3]Airy ambiance in the interior could be enhanced by optional one-piece panoramic sunroof.

The luggage compartment can have a completely flat surface with the rear seats completely removed, and the surface's height can also be modified with an amplitude of 250 mm (9.8 in). With the rear seats removed, the Roomster's luggage compartment has enough room to carry a bicycle.[4] The Roomster therefore competes both in the mini MPV and leisure activity vehicle markets, which it will be sharing with the FIAT Idea, Nissan Note, Opel Meriva, Citroën C3 Picasso and Volkswagen Golf Plus.

When launched, the Škoda Roomster took its internal combustion engines from its Volkswagen Group relatives, all engines were inline four-stroke designs. Petrol engines included the multi valve inline three cylinder 1.2 litre, with power initially DIN rated at 47 kilowatts (64 PS; 63 bhp) kilowatts, but with launch of the second generation Fabia rated at 51 kilowatts (69 PS; 68 bhp), followed by the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder EA111 engines, with power of 63 kilowatts (86 PS; 84 bhp) and 77 kilowatts (105 PS; 103 bhp) respectively. The 1.6-litre was also available with a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission.

Diesel engine propulsion came from the inline three-cylinder 1.4 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI), with two power levels, base at 51 kilowatts (69 PS; 68 bhp) and "sport" at 59 kilowatts (80 PS; 79 bhp). The top option was a four-cylinder 1.9 TDI, with 77 kilowatts (105 PS; 103 bhp).

The Roomster was available with a different colour for the roof. Customers could combine standard body colours (both solid and metallic) with white, black, and silver roof. The same concept was used for the hatchback Fabia, too. The rugged version of the Roomster – the Scout, was launched in 2007.

Safety

Euro NCAP test results
Skoda Roomster (2006)[5]

Test	Score	Rating
Adult occupant:	34
Child occupant:	40
Pedestrian:	14

• Škoda Roomster – Škoda Auto Official Website
• Škoda Praktik – Škoda Auto Official Website
• Škoda Roomster – Škoda UK Website
• BRISKODA.net – Škoda Roomster Forum and Community