The Prague Spring stands for upheavals. While it was a democratization movement in 1968, Skoda is now switching to battery-electric models. In addition to the two Enyaq derivatives coupe and the classic crossover, both of which will receive a facelift in the new design in 2025, the Czech car manufacturer is launching a small SUV, with the Elroq a compact crossover, a station wagon and a seven-seater. Skoda is investing 5.6 billion euros in this transformation. The appearance of the cars is fundamentally changing and is significantly different from the current design. With the battery electrics, the radiator grille mutates into a slit and the surfaces become larger.
The Elroq, which will inherit the Karoq with a length of 4.5 meters, will kick things off at the beginning of next year. With the successor, the compact E-SUV (project name Compact) also takes on the typical Škoda advantages of the combustion crossover. So this stilt electric vehicle also gets a generously dimensioned, function-oriented interior. Since the Stromer are all based on the MEB kit, it’s worth taking a look at Wolfsburg. It starts with the “Small” (name of the concept car), which is positioned in the A0 segment and is scheduled to be launched in 2025.
Just like its counterpart the VW ID.2all and the Cupra small car Urban Rebel, the Czech entry-level electric car will be built either in Martorell or in Pamplona and will cost around 25,000 euros. It will be interesting to see how the triplets are differentiated. We’re assuming the Spaniard wants to hit the sporty map, the VW wants to appeal to the lifestyle crowd, and the Skoda wants to score with a more rustic crossover design than is the case with the Kamiq. The generous amount of space continues to be in the classic tradition of the Czech car manufacturer. In plain language, with a length of 4.19 meters, this means a trunk volume that corresponds to that of the Scala (467 to 1,410 liters). We are already looking forward to the implementation of the concept.
Even in the e-age, Skoda is staying true to its roots: from 2026, the Combi will be 4.70 meters long, following in the footsteps of the Skoda Octavia Combi in terms of dimensions. Of course, like the VW ID.7, this model will also be based on the MEB Evo and enable charging speeds of 200 kW. In addition, the Czechs continue to benefit from the improvements in infotainment and assistants, which are increasingly pointing towards autonomous driving.
The flagship of the electric Skoda fleet is a seven-seater that has the working title “Space”. The Skoda Vision 7S study gives a first glimpse of the 4.90 meter vehicle. The crossover, which will be released in 2026, is not a graceful womanizer in its entirety, but a rustic van on stilts, with which you can also travel in unreal areas. This attitude fits with the new Skoda claim to build cars for people who like to go on adventure trips. The fact that the company sees itself as a global, self-confident brand is shown not only by its commitment in Vietnam, but also by the jingle at the end of each acoustic advertising message, in which you can recognize an element of Smetana. “Our cars should not only offer good value for money, but serve a purpose”; explains Sales and Marketing Director Martin Jahn and Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer adds: “We offer the right vehicle for every customer!”
With the move towards battery-electric models, the era of the internal combustion engine is not over for the Czech car manufacturer. Plug-in hybrids and “highly efficient” (Skoda) conventional combustion engines will continue to be part of the model portfolio. So in the next few years, new generations of the Superb and Kodiaq with plug-in hybrid powertrains will be on the market, and the Octavia (2024), Kamiq and Scala will be facelifted. This probably also includes mild hybrids and makes strategic sense as Skoda is moving towards more functionality again. This means that the positioning compared to the parent company VW is much more clearly defined than it was a few years ago.
