[2] Disputes between the government's brief, and Nuccio Bertone, the styling studio owner, 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 and two-door hatchback coupe were fully designed, but never went into production.

Following the takeover of Škoda Auto in 1991 by the Volkswagen Group, new developments and upgrades were rapidly implemented on the Favorit.

This included new fuel injected catalytic converter versions, marketed as the Li, GLi and the GLXi models were introduced.

Quality control improvements were also implemented, along with safety features such as strengthened beams in the doors, and a redesigned front.

During 1993, another range of modernisations took place, which included mechanical and electrical upgrades to the engine, a facelift of the bodywork, and bigger bumpers.

"Black Line" was sold with a pop-up sunroof, Hella clear rear lights, tinted windows all-around, power door locks, tachometer, digital clock in the centre overhead console, smart intermittent wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearchange knob, Hella headlight washer, and a Blaupunkt stereo with 4 speakers.

"Solitaire" was very rare, including all of the above plus spoiler on the rear door, factory alarm system, power front windows and fuel injection.

For all body styles, the powertrain of the Favorit used one internal combustion petrol engine, 1,289 cc (78.7 cu in), inline-four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, overhead valve.

[citation needed] This initially produced a rated motive power output of 46 kW (63 PS; 62 bhp) at 5,000 rpm.

The only transmission available was a five-speed manual gearbox, which was of a transaxle design, and contained the differential and final drive units.

Works driver Pavel Sibera managed to pilot the Favorit into the overall top ten classification on two occasions, which included the main World Rally Championship category, and his team-mate Emil Triner achieved the same feat, with a highest placing of 9th overall in the Acropolis Rally, and 8th in the Rallye de España.