News round-up: Skoda releases Tour de France editions and Renault Twizy gets crash tested
* Skoda reveals Tour de France limited editions * Available on Yeti, Octavia and Superb * Euro NCAP crash tests the Renault Twizy...
Skoda
Skoda has released a series of limited editions to mark the brand's involvement with professional cycling. The Octavia, Superb and Yeti are all being offered with a limited Tour de France edition, and all three have been designed with cyclists in mind. They come with 'le Tour de France' badging, waterproof seat covers, and bike wheel bags. Owners will also get a Tour de France book. All three are available in red, white or blue, and 198 of each model will be sold – the same number as there are entrants into the 2014 Tour de France.
The Octavia TdF is based on the Estate SE 2.0-litre TDI 150PS 4x4 model, and costs from £24,290. Over the standard car it also gets a satellite-navigation system, DAB digital radio, roof bars and a roof-mounted bike rack.
The Yeti is based on the Outdoor SE 2.0-litre TDI 140PS 4x4, and gets an internal bike rack, and prices start at £23,290. The Superb is based on the Estate Outdoor 2.0-litre TDI 140PS 4x4, and gets the same enhancements as the Yeti. It starts from £28,490.
Euro NCAP
The Renault Twizy has been crash tested by Euro NCAP, and has been described as having 'severe safety problems'. The test differs from the standard one for passenger cars, so it doesn't get a star rating in the usual manner.
However, Euro NCAP gave the Twizy a score of six out of 16, with the protection of the test dummy's neck and legs particularly criticised. The structure was described as standing up well, with little deformation.
The Twizy performed much better than the other Quadricycles that were tested – the Tazzari Zero, the Club Car Villager 2+2 and the Ligier IXO JS Line. None of these three is sold in the UK, however.
