FUNstar SKODA Comes With a Fun Project
Skoda Auto demonstrates a dream car for 23 trainees from the SKODA Auto Vocational School. This is a fun car concept and it is based on the SKODA Fabia model. The name? ŠKODA FUNstar pickup. Fun, right? The SKODA FUNstar will be shown at the 34th GTI Meeting at Wörthersee from 13 to 16 May 2015.
The 23 young trainees have been tweaking and tinkering the vehicle since November 2014. All of the young engineers participated in the creation and gave numerous ideas, solutions, drawings and designs. And of course, all the trainees were helped by chief designer Jozef Kaban and SKODA AUTO Production Director Michael Oeljeklaus. The idea is not just to demonstrate an unique vehicle, but also to teach the young engineers, that pragmatism and implementation skills are as important as flexibility and inventiveness.
The FUNstar is a pickup, that is based on the ŠKODA Fabia model and contains lots of the well-known Fabia features. The FUNstar comes with metallic colors, grey and green to be precise. There are special LED lights, mounted below the sidebars and additional dual LED lens headlights, especially designed for daytime ride. The "Fun" model comes with 18-inch Gemini alloy wheels, taken from the Octavia RS.
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The engine is a 1.2-Liter petrol TS, that delivers a total of 133 hp (90 kW). And there is a really special seven-speed transmission, that works in full harmony with the powerplant unit. But the goodies don't end here. The interior continues the sporty affair. The inside welcomes you with steel-grey and moon-white components and challenges you to use one of the best sport wheels, that ŠKODA brand offers. But how you will have fun without music? Don't worry. The FUNstar is geared with 1400-Watt audio system, that delivers incredible sound quality. The youngsters behind the FUNstar project really know how to deliver both high performance and fun experience.
With the "Trainee Car" project ŠKODA demonstrates high-quality training session, that combines both theory and practice. In fact ŠKODA team offers numerous programs for technical training, that at the end give chance to the trainees to get full-time jobs at ŠKODA plant. What better start for young engineers and technicians, who want to build a solid career?
ŠKODA team demonstrates the importance of a well-done education and training, which, as we all know, results on a high-quality product. We congratulate the young team and wish them numerous more achievements and a bright and successful careers!
Pess release:
The new dream car of 23 trainees from the ŠKODA AUTO Vocational School: the ŠKODA FUNstar pickup. The fun vehicle concept, based on the new ŠKODA Fabia, is the result of ŠKODA's ‘trainee car' project, which was run for the first time last year. The ŠKODA FUNstar will be making its public debut at the 34th GTI Meeting at Wörthersee from 13 to 16 May 2015.
The two young women and 21 young men have been tinkering on their own vehicle project since November 2014. Developing ideas and discussing possible solutions, drawing, designing and they have built a very special, unique car. Inventiveness and flexibility are just as important as pragmatism and implementation skills. The trainees have been supported in their work by ŠKODA chief designer Jozef Kabaň and ŠKODA AUTO Production Director Michael Oeljeklaus. The new ‘Trainee Car' is almost ready; the premiere takes place at the legendary GTI Meeting at Wörthersee in Austria in mid-May.
This is the second year in a row that the Czech manufacturer has given selected trainees the opportunity to create their dream car. The company's goal with this programme is to promote and strengthen the vocational students' creativity and expertise. "After the excellent results of the ŠKODA Trainee Car premiere last year, it was clear that we would continue the project," said ŠKODA HR Director Bohdan Wojnar. "We are once again delighted with our students' creative ideas and their goal-oriented implementation. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the project, especially the teachers at the ŠKODA AUTO Vocational School. The ŠKODA FUNstar is a great concept car that is going to surprise and inspire visitors at the GTI Meeting."
The ŠKODA FUNstar is a funky pickup based on the new ŠKODA Fabia – cheeky, fresh and surprising. This is a bright, sharp pickup with a real fun factor, not only in name. The ŠKODA FUNstar stands out with its metallic colours steel-grey and moon-white. The sills, grille surround and the rear spoiler form a striking contrast in reflex-green. One special feature is the LED lights mounted below the sidebars. The dual-lens headlights also feature LED technology, with green LED light strips serving as daytime running lights. LEDs are also used in the rear lights.
"Through this project, our apprentices have really shown what they are capable of," said ŠKODA Production Board member Michael Oeljeklaus whose department has taken the junior employees under their wing in production technology. "The project has been great fun. The students have really got on board with the task, showing great zeal and developing their expertise."
The ŠKODA FUNstar drives up on 18-inch ‘Gemini' alloys from the Octavia RS. The engine is a 1.2 TSI petrol with 90 kW. The transmission features a modern seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The sporty look continues in the interior. Individual elements are also finished in steel-grey and moon-white. It goes without saying that the students used one of the best sports steering wheels ŠKODA has to offer, and the 1400-Watt sound system offers a fantastic music experience.
The ‘Trainee Car' project once again demonstrates the high quality of ŠKODA's vocational training, and the importance of combining theoretical education with practical experience. The ŠKODA Vocational School offers young adults three- or four-year training programmes in technical subjects. The students graduate with an apprenticeship diploma or NVQ level 3 respectively. There are currently 13 training courses, on which 880 full-time trainees are enrolled. Some 12.5 per cent of these apprentices are young women. In addition, 65 current employees are supplementing their qualifications at a post-graduate level. The ŠKODA Vocational School in Mladá Boleslav was established in 1927. Since then, almost 22,000 students have completed their training there.
Training young people is a key part of the Czech car manufacturer's social responsibility. The training is free; moreover, students are paid for their work during their apprentices. After successfully completing the training, ŠKODA offers all graduates a permanent job.
Source: SKODA
