Introducing the Students’ Number Five

Introducing the Students’ Number Five

ŠKODA’s students have brought to  life yet another dream car, this year based on the ŠKODA KAROQ, as part of a unique student-driven project called Azubi Car. Their new model is a convertible.

12. 4. 2018 MODELS

This article was written during a phase crucial to the whole conversion process, as irreversible changes were being made to the bodywork. There had been a lot of discussion about body parts laid out on worktables, followed by a number of precise calculations and measurements to help determine which parts of the bodywork could be modified. It was essential for everything to be as precise as possible.

Azubi Car

Before the first cut was made, the students had drawn up drafts and sketches and held numerous discussions with production and motorsport experts. Meaningful consultations were also set up with staff from the technical development department and with experienced designers, who answered the questions the young designers needed to ask and reassured them that the concept they were presenting was “right”. What was really motivating for the students was the fact that their drafts could actually inspire the development of future ŠKODA models.

Azubi-Car-Project-sketch

The fifth Azubi Car, then, will be based on an SUV, the ŠKODA KAROQ, although that was not the original plan. Initially, the students wanted to convert a different model into a rally car, but then they were made an offer they couldn’t refuse – the chance to get their hands on a KAROQ. So the whole team went back to the drawing board and gradually honed a new concept.

In the end, the students decided that they would design a convertible version of the ŠKODA KAROQ. Asked who they think this car’s target group should be, they most commonly singled out young, active people who like having fun.

Azubi Car

These talented young designers have direct access at all times to their teacher, Ivo Vollman, who has advised them on everything from the outset and is responsible for communicating the project. He explained to ŠKODA Storyboard how the student car’s designers got together. “First of all, we need to choose a team to work on the project. Every September, we announce a new year of the project at the ŠKODA Academy. Students apply and we then choose from the candidates, taking particular account of their overall study performance, their talent – obviously – and whether participation could distract them from their routine studies.”

Azubi Car

ŠKODA Academy students joined forces with their counterparts from the ŠKODA AUTO Secondary Vocational School of Engineering to work on the project. There is a real buzz around the team of 20 future specialists, who work very closely together. Let’s meet some of them.

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He studies Mechanics and Electrical Engineering. “The Azubi Car project is something I’ve followed closely ever since I found out what it was about. I’ve been a big supporter.” His role in the team is to contribute to the interior lighting design, with a focus on instrument panel lights. Michal is also the team’s point of contact when it comes to the vehicle’s electronics.

M.Koscik
Michal Koščík

Though still a primary school pupil when he first heard of the ŠKODA AUTO Secondary Vocational School of Engineering, he knew immediately that this was where he would like to study. And he made it – this is where he now studies Economics and Logistics. It was Petr’s teacher who encouraged him to apply for the Azubi Car project. “I mainly take care of the accessories and would love to come up with something extraordinary for this car, like a unique set of wheels and a steering wheel that would make this car look special compared to production vehicles,” he adds.

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Petr Marek

Her friend inspired her to apply and she knew it would be an opportunity to practise the German she was intending to use in her future career. Like everyone in the team, Jenny is involved in discussions on the car’s design. However, her main role in the team is to promote the project, with publicity intensifying as the student-designed model approaches the finish line. “I gained my first experience in this field during an internal audit, when I had to present the car’s concept to the management in German,” she recalls. Jenny would like the concept to have an adventurous spirit.

Jenny Falkenbergová

“When I was at primary school, I attended an open day and knew that this was precisely the school I was looking for,” she says as she explains why she decided to study at an automotive high school. She loves organising and planning, and enjoys the purchasing work. She is thinking about studying logistics at university and has set her sights on becoming a manager. She prefers to work on marketing aspects within the team. She would most like to see the concept geared towards leisure activities in order to reach out to young people.

Tereza Veberová

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Michal Bydžovský

He’s been interested in cars since he was little and is keen to work with them in the future. “I am particularly interested in the production process chain,” says Michal, adding that he focuses on logistics. The Azubi Car project enables him to “let himself go” and give his ideas free rein. He is the team’s exterior designer. As far as the student model is concerned, Michal would like to give the student-designed car crisper lines to make it look more agile and more like a sports car with an eye-catching look.

Veronika Kavalcová

“My dad helped me to decide on a school,” says Veronika as she explains how she ended up here. She enjoys getting her hands dirty, which is why she opted to study toolmaking and coachbuilding. She has followed the Azubi Car project since it produced its first car, the “tough little” ŠKODA CITIJET, and she knew immediately she wanted to become involved. Veronika’s main job is when the SUV’s roof is removed – she will then “remould” the bodywork according to the concept that everyone has agreed on. She views her teammates as friendly and democratic.

Milan Cu

He’s been drawing cars since childhood and his favourite subject at primary school was physics, where he was fond of assembling electric circuits. “I enjoy the current shapes of the ŠKODA lights that have been introduced lately and I would like to specialise in lighting in the future as a developer in the technical department,” he says of his future plans. Milan would like the student car to have sharper edges, and believes it is ideal for people who like to go on summer drives through the countryside.

HOW TIME FLIES
WITH AZUBI CAR

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Citijet

ŠKODA CITIJET, 2014

The first project and the first open ŠKODA competition after many decades. The “Little Bruiser” as it was called, had to win its place in the sun and create the Azubi Car project’s good name in ŠKODA. And that’s what it did.

The students decided to build a stylish convertible based on the base model CITIGO. Inside, two seats; outside two colors - blue and white. Blue alloy sports wheels were also painted in blue and the car featured a hand-manufactured rear spoiler and a two piece exhaust. This sporty treasure ran its 1.0 MPI gas engine at 55 kW of horsepower.

Funstar

ŠKODA FUNSTAR, 2015

The second year is perhaps a difficult position to be in, because the year was full of expectations that the second year’s result would outperform the first’s. Students did the best they could however, when they created an entirely new car. Courageous, original and playfull, the FUNSTAR took breathes away.

A courageous design study, a fierce and unconventional sports car. Experts and journalists were profuse with their praises, and unanimously proclaimed that coach builder pickup really did suit the FABIA. The icing on the cake was the sound system which performed famously at 1,400 watts. The ŠKODA FUNSTAR became a hit on social media sites.

Atero

ŠKODA ATERO, 2016

The third apprentice vehicle in line could not afford any hesitation - the apprentices spent an unbelievable 1,300 hours on the ATERO model. The over-4 meter coupe was based on the RAPID SPACEBACK model and the rebuilding was slightly larger than the previous two vehicles.

Since the roof of the car sloped earlier than the original model, it was necessary to remake both the B and C pillars, or alternatively, the size of the doors. But the result was worth it. The ATERO is fantastic, very emotional coupe which radiates every passion for cars that is in the ŠKODA brand. It must be said that the concept of dreams wasn’t even lost on the market either.

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ŠKODA ELEMENT, 2017

The ŠKODA ELEMENT is based on the smallest model offered by ŠKODA, the CITIGO, and is powered by an electric motor.

It allows 100% relaxation in the countryside or at the beach. The ELEMENT also has a refrigerator as well as a 108 cm (diagonal) TV, which is located on the lid of the fifth door.