► Skoda Vision E concept
► Czechs’ first electric car
► Due to go on sale by 2020
This is new Skoda Vision E concept car – the first Czech brand’s first ever electric car, based on the VW Group’s new MEB all-electric architecture.
The new Vision E spearheads Skoda’s move into ‘electromobility’, as it and the rest of the VW Group turns the wick up on how many electric cars it offers in its respective ranges.
This Vision E concept looks very much like the Vision S of a year ago; a car that itself previewed the Skoda Kodiaq SUV. The Vision E takes a lot of design inspiration from the Vision S (and indeed the Kodiaq), so the angular front and rear light clusters, chunky front grille and sharp creases down the side mean it’s still unmistakeably a Skoda.
What is different to what we’ve seen before is the rakish coupe-like profile; the Vision E looks far less boxy than the concept car that preceded it.
What powers the Vision E?
The 301bhp electric powertrain is exactly the same one used on the VW I.D. Crozz concept that has also taken pride of place at the 2017 Shanghai show, so the estimated range is the same at 310 miles and it has the same top speed of 112mph.
Can it drive itself?
Yup. That MEB group platform brings with its all kinds of self-driving tricks; the Vision E is a level 3 autonomous car, so can park itself, drive under autopilot on the motorway and swerve around potential hazards in the road ahead.
Where would the Vision E fit into Skoda’s range?
At 4645mm long and 1917mm wide, it’s shorter but wider than a Kodiaq and bigger than an Octavia. Is this the Tesla Model X by Skoda? Kind of, although it’ll be more democratically priced.
It’s a typically roomy Skoda, the company pledges; with no transmission tunnel cluttering the floor, there’s even more space for legs and feet and Skoda has fitted plenty of screens for all four passengers to zombie away longer journeys.
What if I’m not sold on the Vision E?
Then don’t worry. Skoda hopes to get five EVs on sale by 2025, so there will be more choice than just a coupe-SUV like this one. If you’re still worried about range anxiety, Skoda is also planning to release plug-in versions of its mainstream range in the near future.
How does the petrol auto Skodiaq feel on the road? Read our review