Skoda has confirmed its Citigo, Fabia and Octavia models will all be upgraded - with the introduction of the brand’s built-in brolly.
Possibly in reaction to the great British summer, Skoda’s integrated umbrellas have been the saviour of deluge-dodging Superb drivers for more than 15 years. Neatly incorporated into the doors, they remain one of the Superb’s most talked-about features.
Now, Citigo and Fabia buyers will be able to enjoy year-round protection from the elements if they opt for SE models upwards - with a single umbrella fitted in an under-seat storage tray. Octavia buyers also get to enjoy the benefit of the new umbrella and storage system as a £25 option on SE models and above. As with the brollies fitted to the new Superb, the umbrellas have an anti-bacterial coating and sit in a ventilated tray with a water-repellent lining.
The new umbrella systems will be available on all new Citigo, Fabia and Octavia models ordered from 8 August 2016.
The news is certain to be welcomed by British motorists, who, on average experience 133 days of rainfall every year and can expect to be drenched by 885mm of rain, hail, sleet and snow during an average year (Source: Met Office).
Although special coach-built Superb models of the 1930s often featured built-in umbrellas, it was the first new-era Superb of 2001 that offered the feature as standard. Since then, the built-in umbrella has been an integral part of Skoda’s 'Simply Clever' package for the Superb. The current model features two brollies neatly incorporated into the front door structures and is offered as standard from SE models upwards.