Currently reading: Skoda electric models to stand out with unique lightstrip

Company boss Bernhard Maier gives Autocar an insight into Skoda's plans for an electrified line-up

Skoda’s forthcoming range of electric vehicles will retain a front grille but be distinguished from internal combustion-engined models by a bold, full-width lighting strip, according to company boss Bernhard Maier. 

The design was previewed by the Vision iV SUV shown at the Geneva motor show in March and will be retained for the production version due next year. That car will be Skoda’s first model built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric platform

Maier said the production design will feature a single LED light strip that links the headlights and splits the grille into upper and lower sections. 

“This is the new expressive crystalline design language,” said Maier. “Glass working has been a Czech specialism for centuries, so this is something that is authentic.” The lighting strip will be made of Plexiglass to save weight. 

Vision iv exterior 02

Another changed styling feature of the Vision iV production car will be the adoption of a conventional grille. The concept featured a ‘phantom’ grille but, despite no longer being needed for engine cooling, the slatted grille will remain, with Maier citing feedback from customers who said they liked the design. 

The production Vision iV will also be sold with a choice of three battery packs and two motor configurations. This is in line with other VW Group electric cars being built on MEB, such as the forthcoming Volkswagen ID hatch

Battery packs of 49, 60 and 82kWh will be introduced over the vehicle’s life, with the biggest battery offering a 300-mile WLTP range. The model will launch with the 49kWh battery and one other, but which has yet to be decided. 

As standard, the Vision iV will be rear-wheel drive with a single motor, but higher-spec models will be offered with a front-mounted motor providing all-wheel drive. 

Maier says the two-motor version is “more agile” than the single-motor model. To keep costs down, the Vision iV won’t feature a reduction gearbox, which could increase top speed. “That’s why we limit it to 112mph. Not having a separate gearbox will be very good for the vehicle cost,” said Maier.

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Bernhard maier 03

Skoda boss Bernhard Maier on…

Using the iV badge for electric cars 

“All our electric and electrified vehicles will get the suffix iV, including the Skoda Kodiaq and Skoda Superb plug-in hybrid. It is not easy to find the right label for new technology. There are already a lot of names used by the competition.” 

The final name for the Vision iV 

“The name is not quite clear. We are still working on that. We have some real interesting ones, which perfectly fit our overall nomenclature.” 

Launching 10 EVs by 2022 

“Our basket is full of arrows. I hope all will hit the spot. We have a total of 30 new models by 2022. This is a truly amazing product offensive.” 

The possibility of a hot Kamiq vRS crossover 

“We haven’t decided. There could be an opportunity but we have to decide on the most important priority. As things stand, we cannot produce enough cars.”

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Skoda previews future electric models with Vision iV concept​

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Peter Cavellini 8 May 2019

The best yet.

 If only concept could make it out of the Studio and onto the road as is, the thing I hope is that EV design in Europe makes Tesla’s look dated, the tech is there, no need for stupid noises with function keys like a kids computer game, there are some good looking EV cars from European brands that look really good.

Bob Cat Brian 8 May 2019

Peter Cavellini wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 If only concept could make it out of the Studio and onto the road as is, the thing I hope is that EV design in Europe makes Tesla’s look dated, the tech is there, no need for stupid noises with function keys like a kids computer game, there are some good looking EV cars from European brands that look really good.

But you are judging European concepts/on sale 'soon' models against Tesla models that have been on sale for 2/3/5 years.

Which obviously is exactly what Volkswagen/Skoda/etc hope everyone does.

Peter Cavellini 8 May 2019

A bit same...

Bob Cat Brian wrote:
Peter Cavellini wrote:

 If only concept could make it out of the Studio and onto the road as is, the thing I hope is that EV design in Europe makes Tesla’s look dated, the tech is there, no need for stupid noises with function keys like a kids computer game, there are some good looking EV cars from European brands that look really good.

But you are judging European concepts/on sale 'soon' models against Tesla models that have been on sale for 2/3/5 years. Which obviously is exactly what Volkswagen/Skoda/etc hope everyone does.

I just find Tesla a bit sterile, no style, built to do a job but not to bothered what they exterior looks like....

gavsmit 8 May 2019

Corporate look killing design

Aside from the good points raised by Merod, I still don't like the 'corporate' look that cars adopt, this 'light strip' being another example of it.

Why do all the cars from the same manufacturer have to look the same? Why can't each car be designed on its own merits? They will all still wear the manufacturer's badge on the bonnet, so will be recognisable as from that manufacturer, so why all look the same? 

Merod 8 May 2019

Bored

Personally I’m a bit bored with all the ‘long dated’ EV release teases. What these manufacturers are effectively saying is “we got caught with out pants down by dieselgate and Tesla so are scrambling to catch up in the EV space - in the meantime it will be death by a thousand teases”. I’ll grant Renault/Nissan are probably the exception to that having had a mature-ish EV endeavour for a while.