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Skoda’s Super-Sized EV Takes Aim At The Hyundai Ioniq 9

  • The Skoda Peaq has been spied ahead of its summer debut.
  • Electric three-row crossover previewed by Vision 7S concept.
  • Expected 89 kWh battery could provide a 373-mile WLTP range.

Skoda recently confirmed its upcoming three-row electric crossover would be called the Peaq and now spy photographers have caught a lightly camouflaged prototype undergoing cold weather testing.

Previewed by the Vision 7S concept, the production model will debut this summer and sport a design reminiscent of the Hyundai Ioniq 9. While stickers provide plenty of misdirection, we can see angular air curtains as well as a trapezoidal lower intake sporting stylized lines.

More: Skoda’s Electric Three-Row Crossover Steps Out Of The Shadows

The grille and headlight treatment is designed to throw people off as the camouflage hides a new “Tech‑Deck Face,” which appears to resemble the one used on the concept. A closer inspection appears to show C-shaped headlights that are connected by a lower band.

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Moving further back, we can see slender A-pillars that flow into a long, sloping roof. They’re joined by an expansive greenhouse, streamlined bodywork, and flush-mounted door handles. The model also has pronounced wheel arches, but the disguise appears to add some extra thickness.

The rear end has a stylish liftgate with a trapezoidal accent as well as a distinctive spoiler. The taillight graphics are fake, but presumably hide T-shaped lighting units that echo those found up front.

What About The Interior?

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Spy photographers didn’t get a look inside, but Skoda has previously said the seven-seater will bring “spaciousness and practicality to a whole new level.” We can also expect a relatively upscale cabin as the Peaq will become the brand’s range-topping model.

MEB Platform And Battery Expectations

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Powertrain details remain elusive, but the crossover will ride on the MEB platform and likely offer an assortment of powertrains. If the concept is any indication, the road-going model could have an 89 kWh battery pack and a WLTP range in excess of 373 miles (600 km). The Peaq may also offer a DC fast charging capability of around 200 kW.

The model could take a few cues from the Enyaq, which offers dual-motor all-wheel drive systems with outputs of 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) and 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS). That being said, the newer Peaq could have more powerful and efficient motors.

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Skoda’s Smallest EV Has One Big-Car Surprise

  • Skoda Epiq is the brand’s smallest EV and Kamiq alternative.
  • Built on VW’s MEB Plus with FWD and up to 267 miles of range.
  • Related to VW ID. Polo and Cupra Raval, starts from €26,000.

This year’s new Skoda Epiq still wearing a psychedelic disguise, but underneath the swirls and squiggles is a very clear message. This is the electric SUV for people who like their cars small on the outside, big on the inside and don’t want to pay a premium for swapping a combustion powertrain for an electric one.

Think of the Epiq as the baby brother to the Elroq and Enyaq, and the electric cousin of the Kamiq. At just under 4,200 mm (165 inches) long and riding on a 2,601 mm (102 inches) wheelbase, it’s squarely in city-friendly crossover territory.

Related: Skoda’s Affordable EV Looks Like It Wanted To Be A Jeep

However, Skoda claims packaging magic gives it one of the biggest boots in its class, at a surprising 475 liters (16.8 cu-ft). Fold the seats and you get 1,344 liters (47.5 cu-ft), which is properly useful family car stuff.

What’s Underneath?

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Under the skin, the Epiq is Skoda’s first model on the new MEB Plus platform, a cost focused evolution of the VW Group’s electric toolkit. Unlike larger rear drive MEB cars, this one is front wheel drive, which helps free up cabin and cargo space.

It’s also closely related to the upcoming VW ID. Polo and the Cupra Raval, all part of the group’s affordable urban EV push along with the ID. Cross SUV.

Tortoise Or Hare?

The not very epic entry-level Epiq 35 makes 85 kW, or about 114 hp (116 PS), from a single front motor that gets it to 62 mph (100 kmh) in 11.2 seconds, and uses a 38.5 kWh LFP battery for up to 196 miles (315 km) of range. But a maximum 50 kW charge speed means fills will be slow, so this one is best suited to urban sorties from the house, not road trips.

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The Epiq 40 bumps power to 133 hp (135 PS / 99 kW) and drops to 62 mph sprint to 9.8 seconds, with similar battery capacity but slightly faster 90 kW DC charging. At the top sits the Epiq 55 with 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) and a larger 55 kWh NMC battery good for up to 267 miles (430 km) of range.

Charging peaks at up to 133 kW on the bigger battery, meaning a 10 to 80 percent top up can take just over 20 minutes, and the 62 mph time is a spritely 7.4 seconds. That makes this little Skoda more road trip capable than you might expect from something that looks ready to spend its life dodging delivery vans and cyclists.

Big Screen, Eco Materials

Inside, Skoda promises its usual Simply Clever touches, a 13 inch central screen, a small digital driver display and lots of recycled materials. It hasn’t released any interior images of the finished car yet, but the cabin pics of the Epiq concept shown in the gallery below are surely at least 85 percent on the money.

We’ll get the real images in the coming weeks, along with prices, which are expected to start at $26,000 (£25k for the UK), matching those of the combustion Kamiq. That looks like good value next to Kia’s EV3, though the base EV3 is much more powerful and longer-legged. Renault’s 4 E-Tech also poses a strong threat thanks to its even lower entry price, better range and acceleration and more interesting design.

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Epiq concept (Skoda)

Skoda’s Affordable EV Looks Like It Wanted To Be A Jeep

  • Skoda’s entry-level electric crossover has been spied undergoing testing.
  • It debuts later this year and rides on the updated MEB+ platform.
  • The EV is expected to have a 52 kWh battery and 264 miles of range.

The Volkswagen Group is working on a slew of affordable electric vehicles and spy photographers recently caught up with the Skoda Epiq. It will debut later this year as an electric counterpart to the Kamiq.

Previewed by a thinly veiled concept at last year’s Munich Motor Show, the production model looks virtually identical and features a Modern Solid design with a vertical grille as well as split lighting units. The latter have upper LED daytime running lights and turn signals as well as lower boomerang-shaped headlights.

More: Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing

They’re joined by a unique front bumper with eight oval-shaped holes. The model is also notable for having a gently sloping roof and a relatively plain rear end with T-shaped taillights as well as a small spoiler.

The “city SUV” should measure approximately 163.8 inches (4,160 mm) long and have a wheelbase that spans 102.4 inches (2,600 mm). While the exact numbers remain to be seen, the model is the Skoda equivalent of the Volkswagen ID. Cross.

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Interior pictures don’t show much beyond a prominent freestanding infotainment screen. Still, the cabin is expected to mirror that of the ID. Polo, featuring a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 13-inch central display. Physical controls are likely to remain in place, along with a redesigned steering wheel.

The Epiq will ride on the MEB+ platform and likely have a front-mounted motor producing 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS). It should be powered by a 52 kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery, which delivers a range of around 264 miles (425 km).

Additional powertrains are possible including an upgraded motor with 223 hp (166 kW / 226 PS). We can also expect a DC fast charging capability of up to 130 kW.

The crossover will be built in Spain and Skoda has previously suggested pricing will start around €26,000 ($30,400).

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