Skoda has revealed the Vision E concept ahead of its official unveiling at the upcoming Shanghai motor show. Based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MEB 'skateboard' platform, the concept previews a 304hp all-electric crossover that's due to go on sale internationally in 2020.
The Vision E concept is set to rival the Tesla Model X when it makes it to production. At 4.64m in length and 1.92m in width, it is a little shorter and wider than Skoda’s new Kodiaq SUV and features a four-seat interior. The production car, however, is likely to feature five seats. It could take on the name Aratan, which was recently trademarked by Skoda.
"Our Strategy 2025 has electrification at its heart," said Skoda CEO, Bernhard Maier. "The Vision E shows our intent and how our design language will evolve."
Maier is promising four fully-electrified models by 2025, all understood to be based on the MEB structure, plus a Superb plug-in hybrid which will also arrive internationally in 2019.
The Vision E and its production version will use a newly developed lithium-ion battery pack packaged into the floorpan. Skoda hasn’t yet revealed its storage capacity. Two motors, one on each axle, together capable of delivering 304hp, mean the Vision E is all-wheel drive, although other configurations are possible on the MEB architecture.
The driver sits around 25 percent higher than in the Octavia. The new chassis architecture is also claimed to offer interior packaging improvements, due to the front bulkhead being positioned farther forward than in an internal combustion-engined car. Volkswagen has stressed the same benefits for the ID, while Skoda suggests knee room in the Vision E will be seven percent greater than in the Octavia.
Inside, Skoda’s designers have created a new interior architecture with a sweeping dashboard centred on a 12-inch touchscreen, which is centrally mounted and arranged in conventional ‘landscape’ format. New to Skoda is dash architecture designed with a prominent step on which the driver can steady their hand as functions are selected on the move.
A two-spoke, multi-function wheel and a second flat screen for basic driving functions also feature.