Skoda unwraps its all-electric Kodiaq replacement

SKODA has given us a first look at its new corporate identity and an exciting new design language this week in the form of the Vision 7S electric SUV, a vehicle that will essentially replace the Kodiaq in the Czech brand’s future line-up.

The brand says it is accelerating and expanding its e-mobility campaign with a €5.6 billion ($A8.2b) investment that will deliver three all-electric models to market by 2026, with more to follow.

Skoda says the Vision 7S offers an insight into one of these models and predicts the electric share of its European sales will rise to over 70 per cent by the end of the decade.

“Today is a very special day in Skoda Auto’s history. We’re unveiling our new brand identity, including a new logo and CI (corporate identity) update,” explained Skoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer.

“With the Vision 7S concept study, we’re giving a specific preview of an entirely new Skoda model that will round off the top end of our product portfolio and customer base.

“Also, we’re significantly accelerating our e-campaign and will be launching three additional all-electric models by 2026, with more in the pipeline. This will put us in an even stronger position for the decade of transformation.

“In addition, we’ll be investing €5.6 billion in e-mobility and a further €700 million in digitisation over the next five years, thus securing the future viability of the company and jobs,” he added.

Mr Zellmer said that in addition to the seven-seat SUV there are plans for a small car and a compact SUV. A refreshed Octavia will arrive in 2024.

The Vision 7S – which is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB modular electric platform – will offer a driving range of over 600km (WLTP) and a peak charging rate of 200kW. It utilises an 89kWh battery.

Skoda says the design language shown on the Vision 7S is new for the electric and digital age and will gradually be rolled out across its model range from next year.

The design theme is defined by clear, reduced lines that “emphasise the simplicity and value of Skoda’s new models”.

The front mask is defined by a so-called Tech-Dark Face incorporating narrow headlights positioned further outboard and arrange in two rows, one above the other, extending the four-eye cluster to form a T shape. The DRLs extend into the front guards and form the “sharply defined” upper line of the T, visually framing the front of the car.

The LED tail-lights are also arranged in a T shape, their upper line extending laterally into the rear guards. The design is repeated on the camera wing mirrors and the sensor door handles, which are recessed into the body and arranged vertically.

The model’s bumpers are made from recycled tyres, as are the wheel arch linings. Seven vertical air intakes are integrated into the front of the car which direct air to the cooling systems and brakes. There are a further nine air outlets in the rear bumper. The concept model rides on 22-inch wheels.

“The minimalist, functional design conveys a sense of security and radiates strength while at the same time enhancing the aerodynamics of the vehicles we’ll be adding to our portfolio in the future,” said Skoda Auto board member for technical development, Johannes Neft.

The cabin of the Vision 7S boasts a wider array of durable, sustainably sourced materials and is configurable for different uses. It includes the option to install a child seat on the centre console while the HMI is dominated by a large, rotating central display and interactive door cards.

In addition, the vehicle’s menu structure and infotainment functions have been streamlined, and the controls on the central, free-standing touchscreen, as well as haptic keys for important or frequently used functions, are particularly intuitive.

Skoda has designed the cabin to offer what it calls Driving and Relaxing modes, which reposition the vehicle’s key controls for use in varying scenarios. The screens, steering when and instrument cluster all move to create additional space, while the first row of seats may be rotated inwards and recline for extra comfort and allow all passengers a better view of the 14.6-inch screen.

High resolution head-up display, an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, dedicated haptic scroll wheels for “the most important driving functions” and a reshaped steering wheel are all part of the driving experience.

“Through our new brand identity, we’re getting ready for the electric future and clearly positioning Skoda among the external competition while at the same time distinguishing ourselves even more clearly from other brands in the Volkswagen Group,” explained Skoda Auto board member for sales and marketing, Martin Jahn.

“The Vision 7S is the forerunner of our new design language that we’ll be rolling out across the entire product portfolio over the coming years.

“We’ll also be using it to sharpen our customer appeal; with the new styling, we are taking the brand the next level and aligning it to our customers’ new needs and expectations, particularly regarding user experience, connectivity and the entire customer journey.”

Part of that journey will see Skoda’s electrified models identified by a new logo. The brand logo no longer uses sculptural 3D graphics, marking a response to its growing shift in marketing activities from print to online.

The CI has also been substantially revised in terms of colour, with two different green hues – Emerald and Electric Green – representing ecology, sustainability and mobility, Skoda says. It is the most radical change to the Skoda badge in over 30 years.

“With our new CI, we’re taking the whole brand appearance to the next level,” added Mr Jahn.

“It’s not only our product portfolio that’s evolving, but also our customers. And we see this as the perfect opportunity to make our brand fit for the decade of transformation and adjust its look and feel to the needs and expectations of our customers.

“Our new CI underlies the modern and distinctive design and clearly shows our digital-first approach,” he said.

The Skoda wordmark will be featured more prominently and with different typography, the háček now integrated into the first letter (Š) and the winged arrow simplified.