CJJE

I think it is the number of notifications available... if you 'pull' the control centre screen down with the tab just above the time display, then click on the Notification tab at the bottom of the screen, that will confirm it. Chris

Others will have more expertise here, but my take is that wireless charging 'merely' needs the the base of the phone box to be replaced (under the sliding cover). But wireless car play probably requires the MIB3 software, and that is not a viable update to your car I suspect. Bear in mind that many of us with the MIB3 system would prefer we had the older version, so you may well be happier with your present system! Also, while the new facelifted Karoq has some nice features such as the Matrix headlights and dynamic indicators, chip shortages mean that many of the assist systems available on the older cars are not yet listed - such as Area View, Park Assist, Trailer Assist, the Canton sound system and Emergency Assist. Chris

I agree. The Skoda UK August brochure included Park Assist, Trailer Assist, Area View, Emergency Assist and the Canton sound system as options, and the Czech press release for the facelifted model stated these would still be available. However they are not shown in the Skoda UK brochure. The press release also said predictive cruise control would be offered, but we have adaptive cruise control with collision prediction instead. The packaging of the options also means you have to buy heated rear seats if you want the heated windscreen, but does include DCC as part of the Performance Pack on pages 19 and 26. Interestingly the illustration on page 22 clearly shows the blind spot detection lights, although they are not mentioned. Has this feature been overlooked, or is the picture of a EU only car? I also see they are still claiming it has web radio, which is only true if you stump up for an additional data plan to receive the signals! Chris PS: From comparing other Skoda EU websites, it looks very much as if these missing options are due to chip supply problems rather than Skoda UK deliberately restricting our choices!

When I opened the file in Adobe Acrobat DC, I was told there were errors in it, and I found text missing on pages 5, 20, 21, 22 and 25. When I opened it with PDF Architect 6 instead, the missing text was there, as well as a page index running along the bottom of every page. So other readers may have to choose their PDF reader carefully to see the complete brochure. Chris

Many thanks, I'm assuming they sent you the PDF rather than a paper copy (which seem to have been discontinued 😞 ) They must have been given an early copy as it's not on the Skoda UK website yet! Chris

According to the German magazine Autozeitung, the VW Golf 8 MIB3 software is having a major update, which should also be carried over into the corresponding Skoda and SEAT cars. They say (via AutoTranslate): "THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF THE VW GOLF IN THE TEST "The VW Golf is Volkswagen's most successful product – but since the eighth generation it has also been a problem case, because it hooked with software and hardware. Unusual assistance systems, touchscreens without display and thus a disused climate control as well as disconnections between smartphones and multimedia units were the rule in Golf test cars and the derivatives of Skoda and Seat. Many of our readers also reported similar incidents. Already at the beginning of 2021, a software update with improvements for the infotainment system MIB3 was introduced, affecting vehicles from the start of production until calendar week 29 of 2020. But test cars with sluggish infotainment, disconnections or bulky voice assistance still stood out. Now VW is once again following suit and offering an ECU-specific software update for existing vehicles up to production week 48 of 2020, but according to VW only for vehicles with the navigation systems Discover Media (1115 euros) or Discover Pro (1950 euros; both with 10-inch touchscreen) including voice control. The standard Radio Composition does not receive a software update. In four to five hours, the data is to be uploaded to the dealer via OBD connection. Unlike the all-electric ID models with central computer, 70 to 80 control units are in use in the decentrally controlled Golf, depending on the equipment, so OTA updates (over the air) via Internet connection are only possible for directories such as navigation data. Since the end of 2021, newly built VW Golf will not only get a new software, but also an improved hardware with more powerful processing units. The Central Processing Units (CPU) are to offer 25 percent more computing capacity, the new graphics card even three times as much as before. In addition, a locking logic for individual user interfaces has been implemented to prevent incorrect operation. "SOFTWARE UPDATE ENABLES SPEAKING AND LISTENING AT THE SAME TIME "So far so good. But what does all the effort really bring? Striking when activating the ignition: The system of the VW Golf boots up quickly, promptly all important functions are available. This used to be different, because the computer always activated all functions immediately at once – even those that are usually not needed at first. Often you had to wait one to two minutes before you could change the temperature, change the radio station or start a phone call. The voice assistant is immediately active after the wake-up call "Hello Volkswagen" ("Hello VW" or "Hello Golf" not working) and switches on the seat heating. The good thing is that after the wake-up call you no longer have to wait for a "Yes please" or "What can I do for you", but can connect the command directly. If you engage reverse gear during the dialogue with the computer, the assistance is paused – safe is safe. The camera image (325 euros) now appears on the screen within fractions of a second. Here, too, there was a problem in the past. In general, everything works much faster in the test – the implementation of functions via fields on the touch screen, scrolling and swiping through the individual menus and the calculation of navigation destinations. However, most things can be regulated anyway via the voice assistant, which itself indistinctly or hesitantly speaks ("Hello Volkswagen", two seconds pause, then "Navigate to, uh, Krahnhofstraße, Holzem"), casually or only half-formulated commands ("Where is the next tank?", "Call Sebastian") accurately. In addition, the assistant can speak and listen at the same time. If one falls into the word of the friendly-distanced lady's voice, newly formulated commands are nevertheless executed. Only rarely do the question "How please?" or other suggestions for voice commands come up. However, the computer in the VW Golf cannot process two wishes in one sentence ("I'm cold, navigate to Cologne"), and sometimes roads are not recognized if you name a district as the destination instead of the municipality or city. It is practical when controlling climate functions that several microphones in the roof console detect who is issuing a voice command in the car ("My feet are cold"). The voice assistant, which is permanently linked to the Internet via data line and additionally supplied with data from an offline memory, also has points of interest (POI) on it, even special ones such as dentists, DIY stores or African restaurants. "SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE OLD, ADDITIONALLY NEW HARDWARE FOR ALL NEW VW GOLF "However, there are also limits to the infotainment software, which is equipped with many new lines of code. During a test drive with the VW Golf through a sparsely populated area with poor network coverage, the voice assistant acknowledged the question about the nearest VW dealer with the note that the online functions were only available to a limited extent and that one should try again later. With commands such as "Dim lighting", "Change driving mode", "Head-up display" or "Driving assistance", however, you will encounter incomprehension even with an Internet connection – the systems of other manufacturers can do this better, sometimes for years. If you say "driving assistant" instead of driving assistance, the surface is activated, on which you can configure things like emergency braking function series), blind spot warning (440 euros) or traffic sign recognition (component Navigation: from 1115 euros). Even the numerous functions of mirrored smartphone interfaces (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Mirror Link) cannot be controlled by voice input. To do this, you have to take your hands off the steering wheel and hit the right field on the smooth touchscreen surface. This may work well with a tablet on the sofa at home, but while driving, this type of operation distracts. To get a little more stability and accuracy with the touching index finger, you support the thumb intuitively on the bridge placed under the display. But this slider not only houses the functional surfaces for temperature and volume control in the VW Golf. The result: During the touchscreen input, the music suddenly roars full pipe or the blower blows ice-cold or hot air through the cockpit. Alternatively, you can reach behind the screen with four fingers and operate it with your thumb, which requires even more attention. "IMPROVED OPERATION IN THE VW GOLF THANKS TO LOCKED SURFACES "But even with this dilemma is now over, at least with newly produced Golfs with updated hardware as in our test car. Here, only one operating level is active at a time. As soon as you touch the touch screen, the system locks the slider surface, which, by the way, is still not illuminated, which is why you do not see in the dark which functional surface you are touching with your finger. It is rumored that this problem will only be fixed with the large VW Golf facelift in 2023. The quartet of touch-sensitive direct dialing fields for assistance, parking, climate and driving modes around the analogue hazard warning lights is also locked as soon as the hand approaches the screen – although the large distance between the touchscreen and the four direct dialing fields has never posed the risk of double operation. Speaking of twice: The infotainment in the VW Golf still pairs two smartphones simultaneously via Bluetooth. The interfaces via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (App-Connect Wireless from 485 euros) also work wirelessly. In the test of the software, however, it was noticed that after the problem-free integration of an iPhone 12, the device could no longer be paired via CarPlay the next day, with the note that the smartphone was either not in the vehicle or switched off and therefore not reachable. Even switching from a pure Bluetooth connection for telephony and audio streaming to a CarPlay connection did not work – despite activated WLAN. To do this, the device listed in the infotainment system had to be removed and reconnected. However, once the connection was established via Bluetooth or WLAN, it was no longer interrupted – unlike in the past. "SOFTWARE UPDATE: ALL NEWS AT A GLANCE "For existing vehicles of the VW Golf until production week 48/2020: Infotainment update for MIB3 (Software 1890) with improved voice assistant, reduction of superfluous interfaces, stable running programs. Duration of the update in the workshop: four to five hours. Around 60,000 vehicles are affected. For new vehicles, there is an infotainment update as for existing vehicles. In addition: New hardware with higher computing power (H58), improved display control unit (ABT Hardware H42) with new software (3080), blocking of the direct dial touch surfaces around the hazard warning light switch when the finger approaches the touch screen, locking of the sliders for temperature and volume under the screen when touching the screen area." Now some of the above faults have not affected the Karoq's different hardware (although other Skodas may well have been affected) but lets hope we can also benefit from the improvements, and that the satnav software is also updated at the same time!

Using S mode makes the car use lower ratios not higher, as you'll see from the rev counter. So will give you better acceleration but worse fuel economy than D mode. If you have Eco mode as well, that will restrict the acceleration and rev range, and often provides an automatic 'neutral' mode when descending hills. Opinion is divided about whether this gives any real gain over a driver driving sensitively. Chris

Trackers are normally fitted to expensive cars in high demand so they can be recovered if stolen. It seems unusual for an insurance company to demand one for a 2015 Fabia unless you live in a very high risk area. Are you confusing it with an insurance 'black box' that monitors your driving habits and can give you lower premiums if you are seen to drive sensibly and be a good risk? Chris

I wouldn't have thought so. I only mentioned that as the map is the last thing to sort itself out when the system starts up.

Congratulations... but they must have one hell of a waiting list already if it won't arrive until the end of September! And by then, there may well be minor updates to specs and options for the MY23 model year! I'd suggest you keep an eye on any changes announced in July/August to see if you want to change your configuration before it goes to production. (I did this for mine when Area View was added as an option, and my dealer held to my agreed price even though the list prices had gone up by a few hundred pounds.) Chris

To be honest, choosing a colour from a brochure, tablet or computer screen is always going to be a bit of a gamble. Even the samples in a dealers are rather small to gauge how the colour will look covering the entire car 😞 Chris

Mine has worked intermittently, and occasionally after I'd arrived at the destination! When it does work, I get a message on the infotainment screen saying it has received a destination and do I want to store it or navigate to it. It arrives when the system has loaded itself and displayed the map in the centre of my virtual cockpit (which is the way I have mine set up). The info screen is showing the radio stations at the time. Chris

You have to look very carefully at the options to see what is included. At first the heated windscreen seemed to have disappeared until I found it in the Winter + pack, and the assist pack also seems to include more than is immediately stated. We'll have to wait for the brochure to get the full details I guess. The only options that aren't being offered in the UK yet (but were included in the launch press release) are Area View and Trailer Assist as far as I can see, Chris

I agree, but then I preferred the looks of the Sportline anyway - body coloured bumpers etc. I also prefer the rear seat on the Sportline, but others here love the 3 sliding / removable seats on the SEL etc. Chris

Isn't it simpler to just plug in a USB phone charger to get one or two USB sockets? Examples shown here Mobile Phone Car Chargers | MyMemory Or am I missing something?? Chris

This website Search results for 'skoda karoq' - How Many Left? tells you how many cars are still registered or SORN. If you delve deeper you can find out the engine sizes fitted - but not the colours! Chris

Have you tried turning the info screen on by pressing the lefthand button? The only time this has happened to me has been after I've turned the radio or nav system on without turning the ignition on. Chris

If you can see the signature panel on my post, you'll see I bought one in October 2020 as a factory order! Much cheaper than the equivalent Tiguan or Q3, with options they couldn't provide. And I don't see the need to pay thousands for a VW or Audi badge on a car! I buy cars to keep for 7 or so years rather than rent for 3 years, so the trade-in depreciation evens out. But this will probably be my last new car anyway as electric cars don't meet my needs. Chris

Well they sold 644 in 2019 and 202 (according to DVLA website - no figures for 2021 yet) so there's clearly a market there! And I can confirm it's a lovely car to drive, with perfectly acceptable fuel consumption. (And the facelifted model has improved CO2 and MPG figures too. Just a pity that Area View has disappeared from the option list, and I can't see a heated windscreen either.) Chris

UPDATE: ======= The configurator now shows the new Karoq - but only here: Choose a trim (skoda-auto.com) and not via the Karoq page at Skoda UK! Prices are from: SE Drive 1.0TSI (110PS): £25,950 SE Drive 1.5TSI (150PS): £27,300 SE Drive 1.5TSI (150PS) DSG: £28,750 SE Drive 2.0TDI (116PS): £28,490 SE Drive 2.0TDI (116PS) DSG: £29,935 SE Drive 2.0TDI (150PS): £29,545 SE L 1.0TSI (110PS): £27,785 SE L 1.5TSI (150PS): £29,140 SE L 1.5TSI (150PS) DSG: £30,645 SE L 2.0TDI (116PS): £30,360 SE L 2.0TDI (116PS) DSG: £31,870 SE L 2.0TDI (150PS): £31,425 SE L 2.0TDI (150PS) DSG 4x4: £34,775 Sportline 1.5TSI (150PS): £31,835 Sportline 1.5TSI (150PS) DSG: £33,285 Sportline 2.0TSI (190PS) DSG 4x4: £36,950 Sportline 2.0TDI (150PS): £34,115 Sportline 2.0TDI (150PS) DSG 4x4: £37,760 Great to see the Sportline 2.0TSI DSG 4x4 has reappeared!!

Thanks yarre, It would probably be helpful if you added your location to your profile so readers know where you're from as Skoda owners across the world all have different options available to them from their Skoda distributors. Best Wishes, Chris

In the UK at least, this is certainly not the case as my car's navigation database was updated several times before my first annual service. And in another thread an owner reported that his new car was supplied with a navigation database that was around a year old, but it then updated itself to the current issue as soon as he started driving it. Again in the UK, Skoda provide a free dataplan to keep the car online for the first year for the navigation database updates and also for the emergency call system, information calls, traffic updates etc. After that we have to either pay for Connect licences or lose some features. If you live elsewhere in Europe (since you refer to a 15,000 km service) then your distributor could have a different sales policy though. Chris

I fitted my own too. It's straightforward and described here: I bought mine from a Skoda dealer in the Republic of Ireland (pre-Brexit) as their prices were much cheaper than Skoda dealers in the UK. So if you go that way you might find it useful to shop around for prices. At present Hortons (Lincoln) seem to be offering them at a good price too: SKODA Karoq 2017 to present Exterior Protection | Horton ŠKODA (theskodashop.co.uk) Chris

For a common design fault in a 2021 car, there should be no question of a diagnostic fee being charged to the owner! Hopefully it is just the dealer loading the warranty costs he wants to recover from Skoda UK

Which hopefully explains the price hike, and perhaps makes the Edition trim redundant?