Skoda Australia and TopGear Australia are Teaming up for the Global Green Car Challenge

BOTANY, AUSTRALIA – October 21, 2009: Škoda Australia and TopGear Australia are teaming up to prove that amazing fuel efficiency is not limited to the range of small vehicles competing in the Global Green Car Challenge.

Two years afters its Australian launch, Škoda Australia will be a contender amongst the larger automotive brands in the tough 3000 km challenge stretching from Darwin to Adelaide. Competing against local brands such as Holden and Ford, Škoda Australia will prove that small can win big and that large cars can be amazingly fuel efficient without comprising on luxury and quality.

Top Gear Australia, named after the popular BBC' Top Gear television show, has in little more than a year become a motoring magazine popular for its strong focus on automotive fun in the broadest and most unique way. With the magazine covering entertaining and interesting car reviews of cars from around the world, along with motor sport, road tests and Australia’s most interesting cars and people, Škoda Australia is pleased to have expertise of the TopGear team in the challenge.

The TopGear team will be competing on both two and four-wheels this year. In a contrast of extremes the TopGear crew will be driving the elegant and stylish Škoda Superb 2.0 TDI with 125kW and 350Nm of torque along with an alcohol fuelled ‘Postie’ bike.

The Superb provides clever features such as the unique, patented TwinDoor, which turns the car from a sedan to a liftback at the touch of a button and a commodious interior with seating for five. While the ‘Postie’ bike offers seating for one.

For the Superb occupants there are dual-zone climate controlled air conditioning, nine airbags, Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), multi-function trip computer, MP3 auxiliary input socket, cruise control, light assistant, front fog lights with corner function, rear parking sensors with acoustic warning and optical display, chrome interior trim and a leather package for the 4-spoke multi-function steering wheel, gearshift lever and handbrake grip – all standard across the range.

And if the monsoonal rains should arrive early, there is an umbrella holder in the left rear passenger door, which features a water resistant storage space in the inner panel of the left rear door with the umbrella included. For the ‘Postie’ bike driver however, there will be a nice raincoat available.

Škoda Australia is confident that the Superb’s 2.0 TDI will keep the TopGear team on track for an exceptional fuel efficient run from Darwin to Adelaide. With a highway fuel consumption of just 5 .4 litres per 100 kilometres, the TopGear team will be travelling in large car comfort, safety and luxury – at least for most of the time – whilst considering the environment at the same time.