Latest news with #Skodas
Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
The 9 worst cars of the 1980s, as notorious 'lemon' set for unlikely comeback
These cars were notorious for their poor build quality, inferior design and unreliability Sign up to our Retro newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A car dubbed the 'worst in history' is set to make an unlikely comeback Made during the 80s, it was the butt of many jokes due to its poor quality, unreliability and dated features We've taken a look back at some of the other most-hated cars of the 1980s, including one which was so bad it forced a leading automotive magazine to issue an apoolgy more than 25 years later These were some of the worst cars of the 1980s, according to critics and those who had the misfortune to own one | Various It's the most unlikely comeback since the Gallagher brothers set aside their differences to revive Oasis. In fact, it's almost certainly bigger. While the Parka-clad Manchester rockers have their detractors, their return was welcomed by legions of fans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's hard to see the same happening for the almost universally reviled 1980s 'abomination' which could soon be rolling off the production line once more. We're talking about the Yugo, a car which tops many lists of the worst vehicles ever made and was more of a laughing stock back in its day than the Lada or Skoda ever were. The Yugo, made in the former Yugoslavia, was released in the UK and US in the 1980s and was the cheapest vehicle available - but sadly it showed. It was infamous for its poor quality, unreliability and dated features, which saw it branded the 'worst car in history'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But Serbian professor Dr Alekasandar Bjelić recently unveiled plans to resurrect the much-maligned motor, unveiling a scale model version at the recent Car Design Event in Europe and announcing that he hopes to have a working prototype ready for the Belgrade Expo 2027. With that in mind, we're taking a look back at some of the other contenders for the worst car of the 1980s, based on critical reception and user reviews. Skoda Estelle Skodas were the butt of many jokes during the 1980s, and the early Estelles (known as the 105 and 120 outside the UK) with their notoriously poor handling didn't help. Once that and other issues were sorted out, however, many people felt it was actually a pretty good car - and a very affordable one. | National Motor Museum/Skodas were the butt of many jokes during the 1980s, and the early Estelles (known as the 105 and 120 outside the UK) with their notoriously poor handling didn't help. Once that and other issues were sorted out, however, many people felt it was actually a pretty good car - and a very affordable one. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad FSO Polonez The FSO Polonez was developed in Poland in collaboration with Fiat and was very popular in central Europe, with more than a million sold between 1978 and 2002, but less so elsewhere. Despite the low price tag, it was much maligned for its poor performance. | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images The FSO Polonez was developed in Poland in collaboration with Fiat and was very popular in central Europe, with more than a million sold between 1978 and 2002, but less so elsewhere. Despite the low price tag, it was much maligned for its poor performance. DeLorean Forget Michael J Fox, the time-travelling DeLorean was the real star of the Back to the Future films. Despite its vertical opening doors and other features exuding cool, only around 9,000 were ever made, though, and it has faced a critical mauling. Tony Davis branded the build quality 'woeful' in his book, Naff Motors: 101 Automotive Lemons, while Top Gear writer Richard Porter called it 'dismal'. |for ReedPop Forget Michael J. Fox, the time-travelling DeLorean was the real star of the Back to the Future films. Despite its vertical opening doors and other features exuding cool, only around 9,000 were ever made, though, and it has faced a critical mauling. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tony Davis branded the build quality 'woeful' in his book, Naff Motors: 101 Automotive Lemons, while Top Gear writer Richard Porter called it 'dismal'. Lada Riva Jeremy Clarkson once described the Russian-made Lada Riva as the 'worst car ever' on Top Gear, and it seems plenty of people agree. Although it was cheap, the boxy design, dated techology and 'stodgy' driving experience meant it was much-derided, even if it did sell well and was regarded by many owners as a reliable car. | KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images Jeremy Clarkson once described the Russian-made Lada Riva as the 'worst car ever' on Top Gear, and it seems plenty of people agree. Although it was cheap, the boxy design, dated techology and 'stodgy' driving experience meant it was much-derided, even if it did sell well and was regarded by many owners as a reliable car. Austin Maestro The Austin Maestro was one of Britain's best-selling cars during the mid-80s but time has not been kind, with many people now deeming it one of the worst cars ever made. One person, writing on Reddit, called the build quality and reliability 'laughably bad', while another said: "I've had some pretty bad cars over the years but it was the worst." | National Motor Museum/The Austin Maestro was one of Britain's best-selling cars during the mid-80s but time has not been kind, with many people now deeming it one of the worst cars ever made. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One person, writing on Reddit, called the build quality and reliability 'laughably bad', while another said: "I've had some pretty bad cars over the years but it was the worst." Renault Alliance The Renault Alliance was well received upon its launch in 1983, topping Car and Driver's list of the best cars that year. Critics praised its 'excellent fuel economy' and 'good looks', among other features. But history has not been kind to the Alliance, so much so that in 2009 Car and Driver formally apologised for its 'grievous mistake' 26 years earlier. 'The car was trash,' it declared. 'We should have known that back then, and it's taken us too long to confess our grievous mistake. Let this frank admission be the start of our penance.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Morris Ital The Morris Ital, made by British Leyland between 1980 and 1984, was the successor to the Morris Minor. It sold well upon its release in Britain but soon developed a poor reputation for its inferior build quality. Many Morris Itals were later reportedly snapped up on the cheap by Morris Minor owners and used for replacement parts. Alfa Romeo Arna The Alfa Romeo Arna was made between 1983 and 1987 by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli, of which its name is an acronym. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was based on the body of the Nissan Cherry, with an engine from Alfa Romeo's Alfasud. The Arna sold poorly and soon gained a reputation for poor build quality and unreliability. Do you agree with this list? What do you think were the worst, and best cars, of the 1980s? Do you have retro pictures or nostalgic memories to share with us? Send them online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story or picture will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
The 9 worst cars of the 1980s, as notorious 'lemon' set for unlikely comeback
These cars were notorious for their poor build quality, inferior design and unreliability Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A car dubbed the 'worst in history' is set to make an unlikely comeback Made during the 80s, it was the butt of many jokes due to its poor quality, unreliability and dated features We've taken a look back at some of the other most-hated cars of the 1980s, including one which was so bad it forced a leading automotive magazine to issue an apoolgy more than 25 years later These were some of the worst cars of the 1980s, according to critics and those who had the misfortune to own one | Various It's the most unlikely comeback since the Gallagher brothers set aside their differences to revive Oasis. In fact, it's almost certainly bigger. While the Parka-clad Manchester rockers have their detractors, their return was welcomed by legions of fans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's hard to see the same happening for the almost universally reviled 1980s 'abomination' which could soon be rolling off the production line once more. We're talking about the Yugo, a car which tops many lists of the worst vehicles ever made and was more of a laughing stock back in its day than the Lada or Skoda ever were. The Yugo, made in the former Yugoslavia, was released in the UK and US in the 1980s and was the cheapest vehicle available - but sadly it showed. It was infamous for its poor quality, unreliability and dated features, which saw it branded the 'worst car in history'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But Serbian professor Dr Alekasandar Bjelić recently unveiled plans to resurrect the much-maligned motor, unveiling a scale model version at the recent Car Design Event in Europe and announcing that he hopes to have a working prototype ready for the Belgrade Expo 2027. With that in mind, we're taking a look back at some of the other contenders for the worst car of the 1980s, based on critical reception and user reviews. Skoda Estelle Skodas were the butt of many jokes during the 1980s, and the early Estelles (known as the 105 and 120 outside the UK) with their notoriously poor handling didn't help. Once that and other issues were sorted out, however, many people felt it was actually a pretty good car - and a very affordable one. | National Motor Museum/Skodas were the butt of many jokes during the 1980s, and the early Estelles (known as the 105 and 120 outside the UK) with their notoriously poor handling didn't help. Once that and other issues were sorted out, however, many people felt it was actually a pretty good car - and a very affordable one. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad FSO Polonez The FSO Polonez was developed in Poland in collaboration with Fiat and was very popular in central Europe, with more than a million sold between 1978 and 2002, but less so elsewhere. Despite the low price tag, it was much maligned for its poor performance. | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images The FSO Polonez was developed in Poland in collaboration with Fiat and was very popular in central Europe, with more than a million sold between 1978 and 2002, but less so elsewhere. Despite the low price tag, it was much maligned for its poor performance. DeLorean Forget Michael J Fox, the time-travelling DeLorean was the real star of the Back to the Future films. Despite its vertical opening doors and other features exuding cool, only around 9,000 were ever made, though, and it has faced a critical mauling. Tony Davis branded the build quality 'woeful' in his book, Naff Motors: 101 Automotive Lemons, while Top Gear writer Richard Porter called it 'dismal'. |for ReedPop Forget Michael J. Fox, the time-travelling DeLorean was the real star of the Back to the Future films. Despite its vertical opening doors and other features exuding cool, only around 9,000 were ever made, though, and it has faced a critical mauling. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tony Davis branded the build quality 'woeful' in his book, Naff Motors: 101 Automotive Lemons, while Top Gear writer Richard Porter called it 'dismal'. Lada Riva Jeremy Clarkson once described the Russian-made Lada Riva as the 'worst car ever' on Top Gear, and it seems plenty of people agree. Although it was cheap, the boxy design, dated techology and 'stodgy' driving experience meant it was much-derided, even if it did sell well and was regarded by many owners as a reliable car. | KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images Jeremy Clarkson once described the Russian-made Lada Riva as the 'worst car ever' on Top Gear, and it seems plenty of people agree. Although it was cheap, the boxy design, dated techology and 'stodgy' driving experience meant it was much-derided, even if it did sell well and was regarded by many owners as a reliable car. Austin Maestro The Austin Maestro was one of Britain's best-selling cars during the mid-80s but time has not been kind, with many people now deeming it one of the worst cars ever made. One person, writing on Reddit, called the build quality and reliability 'laughably bad', while another said: "I've had some pretty bad cars over the years but it was the worst." | National Motor Museum/The Austin Maestro was one of Britain's best-selling cars during the mid-80s but time has not been kind, with many people now deeming it one of the worst cars ever made. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One person, writing on Reddit, called the build quality and reliability 'laughably bad', while another said: "I've had some pretty bad cars over the years but it was the worst." Renault Alliance The Renault Alliance was well received upon its launch in 1983, topping Car and Driver's list of the best cars that year. Critics praised its 'excellent fuel economy' and 'good looks', among other features. But history has not been kind to the Alliance, so much so that in 2009 Car and Driver formally apologised for its 'grievous mistake' 26 years earlier. 'The car was trash,' it declared. 'We should have known that back then, and it's taken us too long to confess our grievous mistake. Let this frank admission be the start of our penance.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Morris Ital The Morris Ital, made by British Leyland between 1980 and 1984, was the successor to the Morris Minor. It sold well upon its release in Britain but soon developed a poor reputation for its inferior build quality. Many Morris Itals were later reportedly snapped up on the cheap by Morris Minor owners and used for replacement parts. Alfa Romeo Arna The Alfa Romeo Arna was made between 1983 and 1987 by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli, of which its name is an acronym. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was based on the body of the Nissan Cherry, with an engine from Alfa Romeo's Alfasud. The Arna sold poorly and soon gained a reputation for poor build quality and unreliability. Do you agree with this list? What do you think were the worst, and best cars, of the 1980s?
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The new Skoda is as fast as a Lamborghini
Skoda has given its Enyaq family SUV a performance boost with two new performance vRS models. The Skoda Enyaq vRS and Enyaq Coupe vRS get a power and all-wheel drive upgrade making them the quickest Skodas ever, tying with the slightly smaller Elroq vRS as the fastest-accelerating production Skodas ever. The two Enyaq vRS models claim the same 0-62mph sprint time of 5.4 seconds, the exact time recorded by the original Lamborghini Countach LP400 supercar in the 1970s. Under the suitably beefed-up exterior of the Skoda Enyaq vRS is an 84kWh battery powering two electric motors – one on the front and one on the rear axle. The maximum claimed range for both hot Enyaqs is 340 miles. It's not only the performance of the vRS models that's fast – the Enyaq vRS will charge at speeds up to 185kW, meaning a 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 26 minutes. Chassis tweaks should mean the Skoda Enyaq vRS is quick through the corners, too. The car sits on a sport chassis with the front axle lowered by 15mm and the rear by 10mm. The adaptive dampers have a more dynamic setup than on the previous Enyaq vRS models, with more powerful brakes too. Both cars come with bespoke 21in alloy wheels fitted with sports tyres. Although driver and passengers can enjoy near silence inside the Enyaq, there are now two external sounds – Sport and Futuristic – that are linked to different driver settings. Both Enyaq vRS models are being positioned as range-toppers, with LED matrix-beam headlights and LED taillights with scrolling indicators. The powered sports seats inside also feature a massage function. Outside, the recently revised Enyaq gets a high-gloss black 'tech deck' grille that hides many of the advanced safety sensors. The Tech Deck features illumination to make it stand out even more. As with other vRS models, there's lots of black detailing around the exterior, including the window trim, roof rails, door mirror caps, and Skoda lettering on the bonnet and boot. There are reflective strips on the front and rear bumpers, rear privacy glass and plenty of vRS badges dotted around. The vRS badges also appear inside where two different design themes are available: vRS Suite and vRS Lounge. Both offer a sporty take on the existing Enyaq interior, with Lounge upping the level of luxury a bit with microsuede and fake leather on the seats. Both cars get stitching around the cabin in trademark vRS green. Bright Hyper Green paint on the outside is also an option. Both vRS models also get a 13in infotainment system and head-up display with augmented reality as standard, plus a 12-speaker Canton audio system. And there are the usual, practical 'simply clever' features around the car, plus a full array of advanced driver and safety systems as you'd expect on a range-topping car. You might also expect a range-topping price, and you wouldn't be disappointed. The Enyaq vRS costs £51,660 with the coupe version costing £53,560. A Long Range All-Wheel Drive Tesla Model Y may not have the sporty looks of the Enyaq vRS, but it's even faster with a 0-60mph time of 4.6 seconds, goes further with a range of 364 miles and costs only £330 more at £51,990. Order books for the Enyaq vRS open on 12 June with first deliveries a month or so later.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Skoda Elroq vRS: the family-friendly SUV gets spicy
Skoda's brilliant new Elroq has just gone and got its tracksuit on. The compact family SUV received a sporty makeover, gaining the brand's iconic vRS badge in the process. The new all-electric performance model follows a long line of vRS Skodas that link to the brand's rally heritage – vRS stands for victory rally sport. Iconic vRS models in the past include the Skoda Fabia and Octavia models, as well as the Elroq's bigger relative the electric Enyaqm and the Kodiaq seven-seat SUV. With the Elroq's largest 84kWh battery on board, the vRS model adds four-wheel drive courtesy of two electric motors on the front and back axles. The combined power output is 336bhp, enough to accelerate the Elroq vRS from 0 to 62mph in just 5.4 seconds. The power boost is accompanied by a sports chassis that has been lowered by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear, with adaptive shock absorber settings that have been reconfigured for sportier responses. The steering has been revamped for a more responsive feel, too. There's a healthy kit list, with the 13in infotainment screen also getting vRS graphics (Skoda) It's not just the car that's fast. The Skoda Elroq vRS gets fast charging, too, with speeds up to 185kW enabling a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in 26 minutes. Given the performance on offer, Skoda still claims a decent maximum range of 340 miles. Outside, Skoda's new Modern Solid design language gets a sporty update. The Tech Deck replaces a traditional grille and hides many of the Elroq's safety sensors, with illuminated 'eyelashes' that blend into the LED daylight running lights above the headlights. The lights create a light show when the car is locked or unlocked – which can be done with the key hidden away in a pocket or bag by just approaching or walking away from the car. Exclusive 21in alloys, matrix LED headlights, plus black accents on the window trim, door mirrors and Skoda lettering on the front and back are all vRS features, while vRS badging appears on the front wings. There's also a vRS-specific colour: Hyper Green. The Skoda Elqroq vRS comes in an exclusive 'hyper green' colour (Skoda) Inside, there's suedia microfibre upholstery with lime green stitching across the dash and on the heated sports seats, while there's also carbon-look trim. The sports steering wheel is covered in perforated leather and also gets lime-green stitching along with a vRS badge. Stainless-steel pedal covers complete the sporty makeover. The vRS is a new range-topper for the Elroq family, so there's a healthy kit list with the 13in infotainment screen also getting vRS graphics, while there's augmented reality for the head-up display, a 12-speaker Canton audio system and plenty of Skoda's 'Simply Clever' features. That means the usual umbrella in the door and ice scraper in the rear hatch, plus an adjustable parcel shelf that can be stored behind the rear seats and has a net to store the car's charging cable. The Elroq vRS was revealed at Milan Design Week and is expected in UK showrooms in the summer. Prices will be revealed soon, but with the most expensive Elroq you can currently buy costing £41,600, we'd expect the vRS to be somewhere north of £45,000.
Telegraph
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Should I change the gearbox oil on a low-mileage car?
Dear Alex, My 2019 Skoda Superb 2.0 4WD is almost six years old with 21,000 trouble-free miles. Skoda says that the automatic gearbox is due an oil change, at a cost of more than £350. This came as a shock, although I have read that the oil should be renewed after 40,000 miles. Should I go ahead with this perhaps unnecessary expense? – SP Dear SP, It is advisable. These DSG (direct shift) gearboxes are well known for several potentially major failure points; cases are rarer these days now that Volkswagen has tackled the most widespread among them, but even newer models can still suffer problems that result in big bills. As a fellow Superb DSG owner, I speak from experience. Nevertheless, you can mitigate some (though not all) of the risk by carrying out timely oil changes. The recommended interval is every four years or 40,000 miles, which means your car is, in fact, overdue a change by two years. Granted, automatic gearbox fluid is usually less susceptible to degradation over time (as opposed to mileage) than engine oil, so I can understand your questioning whether this work is necessary at such a low mileage. But I believe it's best to err on the side of caution – especially with DSGs. A good middle ground might be to get the job done, but instead of using a main dealer and paying top whack, find a local Volkswagen Group specialist that can carry it out for a less substantial sum. While you're at it, it's advisable to check how long ago the fluid for the Haldex coupling in the four-wheel-drive system was changed. All-wheel-drive Skodas need the Haldex fluid changed every three years or 30,000 miles – although some specialists and enthusiasts reckon that interval is too long, preferring every 20,000 miles instead. Either way, if your car hasn't had a Haldex fluid change, it's worth getting that done at the same time.
