Fascination: Skoda with model offensive until 2026: Family outing

Skoda has been a trend for years - in itself more than ever.

Fascination: Skoda with model offensive until 2026: Family outing

Skoda has been a trend for years - in itself more than ever. This can hardly be seen from the sales figures at the moment. In the whole of 2022, just 731,000 Skoda models were sold - around 40 percent fewer than before the pandemic was over. The notable decline is by no means due to customer interest that has fallen asleep, a wrong model policy on the part of the Czechs or even the new brand CEO Klaus Zellmer, who moved from Wolfsburg to Mlada Boleslaw. Ongoing problems with the supply of semiconductors, painful gaps in supply chains and highly volatile markets meant that Skoda had to cope with a decline that was not originally planned. The busy Czechs have to contend with the problem that they are at the end of the food chain within the group because the profit margins are usually higher with other Volkswagen brands. The deliveries of components such as semiconductors, wiring harnesses or batteries, which are still significantly too low, are primarily distributed to more profitable brands such as Porsche, Audi or Volkswagen.

Skoda 2022 stepped on the gas. In addition to a new brand signet, there was a preview of the new top model, a five meter long crossover. Even if Skoda will present a new Kodiaq with and without plug-in technology in autumn 2023, which primarily serves the combustion engine fraction as a flagship, the signs are also pointing to electricity in Mlada Boleslav. Despite the difficult framework conditions, 20 percent more vehicles of the electric Enyaq were sold last year than in the previous year - the waiting times are still long. "By accelerating our e-offensive, we are well prepared for the coming years and will continue to strengthen the Czech Republic as an important automotive and e-mobility location," emphasizes brand CEO Klaus Zellmer are cautiously optimistic that the situation will gradually ease in the coming months. In addition, it is evident that our strategy is already taking effect and that customers are accepting our products very well." strive

Three new vehicles are scheduled to arrive within the next three years - above all the five new flagship models of the brand, which were presented for the first time as a concept study with the Skoda Vision 7S. "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 Klaus Zellmer. Like the brand's other electric models, the production vehicle, which will follow the Vision 7S in 2025, is based on the modular electric kit and, with its 89 kWh battery pack, should enable a range of up to 600 kilometers before it is plugged in again. Unlike the current models, the crossover, which is available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, can be recharged at a fast charging station with up to 200 kW. The performance spectrum should largely correspond to that of the current models on the electrical kit, with the engine output likely to range between 150 kW / 204 hp and 265 kW / 360 hp.

The expectations of the Skoda Elroq as the little brother of the Enyaq are even greater. In terms of dimensions, the Elroq is in a league with the compact combustion model Karoq. The drive technology comes from the group shelf and is therefore largely identical to Skoda Enyaq or VW ID4 / ID5. There is a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and a power range from 110 kW / 150 hp to 220 kW / 299 hp. Another class below will follow in 2025 / 2026, an electric crossover that does not yet have an official name, but is likely to be the technical twin of the VW ID2 / ID2 X. Accordingly, it is not on the current MEB structure, but will be an electric front-wheel drive with a maximum output of 150 kW / 204 PS. As originally planned for the VW ID2, the price range should be around 20,000 euros. However, given the high cost of development, semiconductors, raw materials and battery packs, that seems unlikely; accordingly, it could go in the direction of 23,000 euros. However, 400 kilometers of electric range seem set for the competitor from VW ID2, Mini Aceman or Hyundai Kona.

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