The Skoda fans will have to be patient, because the Czechs will probably not bring the Vision 7S series vehicle onto the market until 2026. The electric crossover will be positioned above the Superb and Kodiaq twin packs with combustion engines and is aimed at customers who have not yet turned their backs on a Skoda. The concept model gives a good idea of how future Skoda models will feel and present themselves. “With the Vision 7S concept study, we are giving a concrete outlook on a completely new Skoda model, with which we will round off our product portfolio and our customer base,” says Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer.
The technical basis is the well-known modular electrical kit that almost all brands in the VW Group use for their new EV models. For the seven-seater, the wheelbase of the kit was extended by an impressive 25 centimeters, making the vehicle around five meters long. The battery pack in the underbody with a capacity of 89 kWh should enable ranges of up to 600 kilometers. You can refuel at the fast charging station with up to 200 kilowatts. Official figures have not yet been announced, but you can expect a power output of 150 kW / 204 hp in the entry-level rear-wheel drive version and 265 kW / 360 hp in the top-of-the-line four-wheel drive version.
The interior is as puristic as it is tidy. “We know that a dashboard that’s just a giant screen looks modern and clean, but our research shows that customers prefer to have some physical knobs and commands for frequently used and important functions, and we had that.” in mind when we designed this interior,” explains interior designer Peter Ola. The center console has six buttons that give the driver direct access to the infotainment, telephone, vehicle settings, navigation and apps menus. Practical and simple – typically Skoda.
While driving, all controls are in their normal position within the driver’s reach and the central 14.6-inch touchscreen is oriented vertically to improve accessibility and focus information. When charging or stopping, the relax mode can be selected by pressing a button. The interior is then transformed into a chic lounge area: the steering wheel and instrument cluster can be pushed back to create additional space. The front-row seats swivel inward and fold down for extra comfort, giving rear-seat passengers a clear view of the screen. The central screen’s horizontal position is ideal for watching a movie or playing video games. Access to the third row is facilitated by the individually sliding second-row seats, and if more luggage space is required, the third-row seats can also be folded flat.
The interior concept of the Vision 7S is particularly pleasing for a brief driving impression. The two-spoke steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom, is the interface to the future drive-by-wire steering system, which feels very direct and fast. Not without danger for a vehicle that, at least in its test phase, does not seem to have any suspension settings. The brake pedal and the gas pedal are decidedly difficult to operate on the prototype. It should be possible to bring this into the car in the next three years of development. The large electric Skoda SUV will find its buyers – that’s already certain.
