A Skoda Electric Car For Masses Under Consideration
Skoda Auto India recently launched three new models – Karoq SUV, Superb facelift and Rapid 1.0L TSI. At the digital launch event, Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service & Marketing, Skoda India has revealed that the company is planning to foray into electric vehicle space with a mass-market model as a long term objective. As of now, the Czech carmaker has a single electric product in its global lineup – the Skoda Citigoe iV.
The Citigoe iV is a battery electric vehicle that comes with an 83bhp electric motor powering the front wheels. The powertrain system also includes a 36.8kWh battery fitted in the chassis floor. Measuring 3.6m in length, the hatchback promises an electric range of 225km – 274km on a full charge.
The carmaker is also working on the Skoda Enyaq electric SUV based on Volkswagen Group’s MEB modular electric car platform. It will measure 4.56m in length and come with three different battery sizes and two drive systems. The battery packs will include a 55kWh battery with a 150bhp, 3-phase synchronous motor (340km), a 62kWh battery with a 179bhp motor (387km), 82kWh battery with 204bhp motor (497km).
The Skoda Citigoe iV and Skoda Enyaq SUVs will be expensive affairs for the Indian market. Therefore, the carmaker will focus on localization of batteries and essential components to bring in Indian-specific model. Zac also revealed that the company has no plan to bring hybrid vehicles in India as they are expensive and there aren’t any incentives from government for hybrid cars. Read – Skoda Kodiaq RS Challenge Gets Brand’s Most Powerful Diesel Engine
Talking about Skoda’s future plan, the company will introduce the production-ready version of the Skoda Vision IN concept that was unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo. Slated to launch in the first half of 2021, the new mid-size SUV will be put up against the cars like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. It will be the first production model to be designed on Skoda Auto Volkswagen Private Limited (SAVPVL) Company’s new MQB AO IN platform. The same architecture will also be used in the upcoming Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Cross.
The Skoda Vision IN concept based SUV will be made available with two powertrains – 1.0L, 3-cylinder turbo and 1.5L, 4-cylinder TSI petrol. While the former makes 119bhp against 175Nm of torque, the latter is good enough for 148bhp and 250Nm. The SUV can be had either with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox. It’s estimated to cost between Rs 10 lakh – Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom).
Skoda Vision IN Concept First Look Video
