Škoda’s appearance at the Shanghai Motor Show 2017 (19 – 28 April) is characterized by electric change: With the Vision E study, the company provides its first brand-specific outlook on the future of individual mobility. The emotionally designed five-door SUV coupé can travel up to 500 kilometres on purely electric power and meets the level 3 requirements for autonomous driving. Škoda is intensively pursuing the electrification of its model range, and will be offering five purely electric models in various segments by 2025.

Tomorrow’s mobility – planning and development is in full swing at Škoda. The first purely electrically driven and autonomous driving concept car in the company’s history embodies the brand’s interpretation of electric vehicles.

At 4,645 mm long, 1,917 mm wide and 1,550 mm tall, the Škoda VISION E has great road presence. Thanks to the long wheelbase of 2,850 mm, as well as the short overhangs at the front and rear, the designers have created a spacious interior. In the future-oriented vehicle concept, the elevated seating position typical of SUV models and the generous space are combined with the roof line of a coupé. The design approach is not dissimilar to that of Tesla’s Model X and Jaguar’s I-Pace. The SUV shape has likely been chosen for both fashionable and practical reasons.

Škoda hasn’t stated the expected performance aside from the top speed of 112mph and the power output of 225kW for the Vision E concept. The lithium-ion batteries and optimal recuperation should allow a range of up to 500 kilometres (311 miles), so is likely to be around 80kWh capacity. Thanks to intelligent management, the two electric motors offer all-wheel drive capability, again like Tesla’s dual-motor system.

With the Vision E concept, Škoda also provides an outlook on the forms of autonomous driving expected to be introduced. According to the latest surveys, around 15% of all new cars could be driving completely autonomously in 2030. Vision E is equipped with the prerequisites to achieve level 3 autonomous driving: It can operate independently in traffic jams, go into autopilot on motorways, stay in lane and swerve, carry out overtaking manoeuvres, independently search for free parking spaces and park, and leave parking spaces alone. To enable this, various sensors with different ranges and numerous cameras constantly monitor the vehicle’s surroundings.

Electric mobility strategy

Electromobility plays a key role in the Škoda’s global growth strategy. Škoda is developing its own vehicle concepts for electric mobility on the basis of the MEB Volkswagen Group platform. The electrification of Škoda’s model range will begin as early as 2019 with the launch of the Škoda Superb with plug-in hybrid drive – likely to be derived from Volkswagen’s GTE plug-in hybrid system. Škoda’s first pure electric series-produced vehicle will be released shortly afterwards, in 2020. By 2025, the brand will have expanded its range to include five pure electric cars in various segments.

Source; Škoda