By 2026, Skoda Auto, the renowned Czech manufacturer, intends to launch a range of electric offerings, and the company has accelerated its work on this strategy. In line with the same, Skoda recently unveiled the brand-new Epiq, an all-electric, subcompact SUV in the concept form. The car is expected to launch globally in 2025 and cost less than Rs 25 lakh. This entry-level EV from the maker is the second of the firm's six electric vehicles. It will share some features with the European-spec Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID.2 and is said to have a stated 400-kilometre range on a single charge. In terms of size, the Epiq is around 4.1 meters long, which is comparable to the Fabia hatchback.
Interestingly, the Epiq moniker is derived from the brand's EV naming guidelines, in which the letter E stands for electric and the letter Q for SUV. The name Epiq originates from the ancient Greek word "epos," which can mean "word," "verse," "tale," or "poem." The model will be developed and produced in tandem by Volkswagen, Skoda, and Cupra, the representatives of Volkswagen's Brand Group Core, in Pamplona, Spain.
Skoda Epiq Electric Concept: Styling Elements
On the styling front, all of Skoda's latest "modern solid" design characteristics are included in the Epiq. It comes in the form of a redesigned, slimmer grille, a sculpted bonnet with the Skoda word mark in the centre instead of the flying arrow logo, and a clear and smooth surface. The sportiness of the model is emphasised by the contrasting orange accents against its Moon White exterior paint job.
The car's strong shoulder line is highlighted by the high, sweeping "tornado" line around the side that visually divides the greenhouse from the rest of the body. When it comes to the front profile, you can see T-shaped LED components for the daytime running lights. The profile is further enhanced by the squared wheel arches, the shark-fin-like "C" pillar on the "floating" roof, and the continuation of the front light signature's "T" layout in the back. It is yet unclear, though, whether the design cues and details would appear on the production model.
Skoda Epiq Electric Concept: Battery Details
Mechanically, the Volkswagen ID.2, which is being constructed on the modular electric drive platform (MEB) at its most advanced evolutionary stage, will provide the technology. According to the carmaker, the Epiq will have a 400-kilometre range, but it has not released any other technical details. The VW concept included two different battery packs, 38kWh and 56kWh, the larger of which powered a motor that was situated up front. With the more powerful battery, Volkswagen promised a better range of about 450-kilometre. A rapid 125 kW DC charging can juice up the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes.
Skoda Epiq Electric Concept: Inside the Cabin
The Skoda Epiq's interior features a simple theme with orange accents on the door panels, centre console, and dashboard. A massive touchscreen infotainment panel will be the focal point. Within the free-floating centre console is an open storage compartment that holds a wireless phone charger. It will also come with a two-spoke steering wheel that has haptic scroll wheels for function control, physical buttons, and revamped Skoda branding. The car major draws attention to the model's bidirectional charging feature, which lets it function as a portable energy storage device and gives extra electric energy to the buyer's home and additional appliances. Furthermore, the Epiq boasts a 490-litre trunk area and has bag hooks, as per the Czech automaker.
Skoda Compact SUV India Launch
Skoda plans to introduce at least six electric vehicles by the end of 2026 and is investing more than USD 6 billion to expand its EV portfolio. A few weeks back, the company announced that it would soon introduce a new compact sub-4-metre SUV for the Indian market. This move from the brand came following the considerable success of the Kushaq and the Slavia. The cost-effective MEB 21 platform will be used to produce this India-spec ICE model which will likely adorn similar design elements as the Epiq. The launch of the upcoming SUV is scheduled for March 2025.
Write your Comment