Skoda has just revealed more Vision E information and new official sketches. And as mentioned in the presentation of the first teaser, the brand's new concept is a five-door SUV. Defined as an SUV coupé by Skoda, the Vision E gains relevance for being the brand's first vehicle to be powered exclusively by electricity.
It is the first step in the brand's future electrification strategy, which, by 2025, will give rise to five zero-emission vehicles in various segments. Even before we get to know Skoda's first electric vehicle in 2020, the Czech brand will present a plug-in hybrid version of the Superb a year earlier.
The Vision E is 4645 mm long, 1917 mm wide, 1550 mm high and 2850 mm wheelbase. Dimensions that make the Vision E a shorter car, wider and an expressive 10 cm shorter than the Kodiaq, the brand's latest SUV. Being five centimeters shorter and six centimeters more between the axles than the Kodiaq, the wheels are much closer to the corners.
This allows Vision E a set of distinct proportions. This is due to the use of MEB (Modulare Elektrobaukasten), the platform exclusively dedicated to electric vehicles of the Volkswagen group. Premiered by concept I.D. from the German brand at the Paris salon in 2016, has already given rise to a second concept, the I.D. Buzz at this year's Detroit salon.
It is now up to Skoda to explore the potential of this new, versatile base. By completely dispensing with the internal combustion engine, MEB allows for a shorter front, increasing the space dedicated to the occupants.
Being defined as an SUV, the Vision E has four-wheel drive, courtesy of two electric motors, one per axle. The total power is 306 hp (225 kW) and, at the moment, no performances are known. However, they declared the maximum speed – limited to 180 km/h.
The pressing issue in electric vehicles remains autonomy. Skoda advertises for its concept around 500 km, more than enough distance for most needs.
Vision E is also standalone
The relevance of this concept is not only due to the anticipation of the brand's first electric vehicle. The Skoda Vision E also anticipates the introduction of autonomous driving systems. On a scale from 1 to 5 to identify levels of autonomous driving, Vision E falls within level 3. What this means is that, thanks to an array of sensors, radars and cameras, Vision E can operate independently in stop-go and highway situations, keep to or change lanes, overtake and even look for parking spaces and also leave them.
Skoda is set to unveil footage of Vision E as we approach the opening date of the Shanghai Show, which opens its doors on April 19th.