UK car sector welcomes industrial strategy https://www.byteseu.com/1133596/ #GreatBritain #IndustrialStrategy #SMMT #UKAutomotive #UnitedKingdom

One last old Skoda from #SMMT Test Day. This is the Favorit, introduced in 1987. The Favorit had a modern mainstream front-wheel drive layout with a transverse engine, heralding the end of the rear-engine era at Skoda. Later, under Volkswagen’s ownership, the Favorit would be modernised and revamped, losing some of its distinctive character in the process. It was also renamed as Felicia, recalling the 1950s model of that name I featured a few days ago

Here’s another historic Skoda from the recent #SMMT Test Day for journalists. This is the S 110 R, a representative of Skoda’s rear-engined era. It was produced between 1970 and 1980. With its two-door fastback coupé bodyshell, it was comparatively sporty by Skoda’s standards, and formed the basis of the company’s competition cars of the time.

Today, a second old Skoda from #SMMT Test Day. This is the Felicia convertible produced between 1959 and 1964, a relative of the original 1950s Octavia. Both the Felicia and Octavia nameplates would, of course, be revived for modern Skodas. Like yesterday’s 1203 van, the original Felicia and Octavia were front engine/rear drive. Note the ‘mirror image of normal’ gear shift pattern - that’s for real, not a misfitted gear knob or mirrored image.

Today, a fourth coffee/food van from the recent #SMMT Test Day for journalists - I had no idea this would be such a fertile subject. This is a Skoda 1203 van, introduced in 1968. Until I looked it up, I assumed that this was a rear-engined vehicle like Skoda’s cars of the time, but it is actually front engine/rear drive, and based on parts from earlier Skoda car models of that layout.

Today, a third vehicle being used as a coffee truck at this year’s #SMMT Test Day for journalists - the fourth generation Suzuki Jimny 4x4. *Everyone* wanted one of these incredibly cute vehicles when they first arrived in the UK in 2019 but the clamour now seems to have faded a bit.

Today, another French vehicle converted for use as a coffee/food truck, a Citroën H van. Like yesterday’s Peugeot J9, this one was in action at the recent #SMMT Test Day for journalists. (1/2)

After I posted yesterday’s Peugeot 202, I got into a conversation with @Ali about early front-wheel drive Peugeots. I mentioned the FWD J7 van, introduced in 1965, the same year as Peugeot’s first FWD car, the 204. This is a J9, an evolved version of the J7, which Peugeot UK hired in to supply coffees at the recent #SMMT Test Day for journalists. Peugeot produced the J9 until 1991 but it was made under licence in Turkey for far longer. (1/2)

The direct successor to yesterday’s Porsche 356 - and this one was popular with the Dutch and German police too - was the 912, which was basically a four-cylinder version of the 911. I was quite excited to see this 912 at the recent #SMMT Test Day, which turned out to be not quite what it seemed. This particular car is an electric conversion (see the black battery box under the raised engine cover). Beautifully executed. (1/2)

Today, we’re sticking with Volkswagen and the same electric MEB platform as used by yesterday’s ID. Buzz. This is something completely different, the thoroughly modern ID.5, a sort of SUV coupé sister to the slightly staider ID.4. The ID.5 has had some slightly lukewarm reviews but I rather like it. Snapped/driven at the 2023 Test Day for car journalists held by the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders #VW #Volkswagen #EV #SMMT #WeirdCarMastodon #davidsdailycar