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

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.