Skoda’s impressive and multi award-winning Citigo line-up is about to be extended with the introduction of the Skoda Citigo Sport, a new model with enhanced sports styling, lowered suspension and bespoke interior.
The Citigo is proving to be a popular range – Skoda shifted 30,000 to customers across Europe last year – and, despite its size, is among the safest cars on the road and has been awarded the top score of five stars in the independent Euro NCAP crash test ratings.
The highlight of the car’s safety package is City Safe Drive, an innovative emergency braking function which activates at speeds below 19 mph and available as an option across the range. It uses a laser sensor built into the windscreen to scan the road up to 10 metres ahead.
If it detects an impending crash, depending on speed and traffic situation, automatic braking can reduce the severity of an impact or even prevent it altogether to significantly lower the risk of rear-end shunts in heavy traffic.
The Sport is available as a three or five-door hatch, with a trim which is based on the current Citigo SE.
Under the bonnet of this seemingly powerful special model is a frugal 1.0litre MPI 60PS petrol engine mated to a five-gear manual transmission.
From the outside, the Citigo Sport boasts a dynamic look, underlined by black alloy wheels, fog lights, tinted ‘sunset’ windows, a sports suspension – which lowers the ride height by 15 mm – and a bespoke styling kit which includes a front and rear spoiler and a rear diffusor.
To help the car stand out (and look sporty) there’s a racing stripe painted on which contrasts to the respective body and there are additional stripes at the rear, on lower door frames and exterior mirrors.
Inside the Sport there are black and red sports seats, a three-spoke leather steering wheel with red stitching, leather handbrake and gearstick gaiter with red stitching and matching floor mats. A two-tone grey and black dashboard and unique grey decor instruments add to the car’s exclusive appeal.
Like most new cars, Skoda is stressing its modern communication abilities with a dashboard-mounted Personal Infotainment Device which features a five-inch touch-screen.
This sleek-styled multi-function technology comes as standard on the Sport and includes advanced satellite navigation, a Bluetooth hands-free telephone connection, vehicle and trip information, plus a media player which can be synced to an external music device.
To ensure owners get the most from their music the Sport comes with four additional speakers.
Prices for the Skoda Citigo start at £10,290 and it’s on sale now.