25 years of the ŠKODA Felicia
Production of the ŠKODA FELICIA, the first car to be developed by ŠKODA within the Volkswagen Group, started 25 years ago. By 2001, 1,401,500 of these cars had rolled off the production lines in Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny and Vrchlabí.
Besides the basic five-door hatchback, the FELICIA was also available as the FELICIA COMBI, PICKUP, VANPLUS and FUN. The entry-level engine was a 40 or 50 kW 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol unit. Starting in 1995, FELICIAs could also be fitted with a 55 kW 1.6 MPI petrol engine or a 47 kW 1.9 l four-cylinder diesel engine.
The FELICIA was given a facelift in February 1998. The headlights were revamped and it was given a new grille as it drew on inspiration from its big sister, the OCTAVIA.
The ŠKODA FELICIA also celebrated success in motorsport, with the ŠKODA FELICIA Kit Car participating in world championships. In 1996, the Swedish crew of Stiq Blomqvist and Benny Melander finished third overall in the British RAC Rally, and a year later ŠKODA ended up second in this championship category.