Skoda Favorit

Wednesday 30 September 2009
The Škoda Favorit 135 and Škoda Favorit 136 (Type 781) were a range small family cars produced by Czech auto manufacturer Škoda Auto from 1987 to 1995. It was Škoda Auto's first car to locate the engine at the front, mounted transversely, and was also their first car to use front-wheel drive. The Favorit was premiered in July 1987 a the Brno Engineering Fair. Like other models in the Škoda lineup, the name "Favorit" had been first used on an earlier vehicle - a large imposing luxury limosine produced between 1936 to 1941 (Type 923). This latest Favorit eventually succeeded the ageing rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Škoda 105/120 Estelle, and was a considerable move towards the modern mainstream in design terms thanks to its Bertone-designed hatchback body and front-wheel drive. However, the Favorit initially took a long time to get to market - Škoda's then owner, the Communist Government of Czechoslovakia approved the development of this new front-wheel drive car back in 1982, with actual development not starting until 1983. Disputes between the Governments brief, and Nuccio Bertone the designer, meant that the car was not designed until mid 1985, and full production wouldn't commence until 1987. Probably the worst aspects of this dispute is that a four-door saloon was fully designed, but was never allowed to go into production.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1300 cc
- horsepower: 62 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 160 km/h