Skoda is planning an EV offensive under the close
watch of the Volkswagen Group, and one of the vehicles that are believed to be
rebadged by the Czech automaker is the I.D. hatch. This could be known as the
Felicia E, AutoExpress says, thus marking the return of the brand's moniker
that was used on the predecessor of the Fabia, from the mid-'90s until 2001.
However, unlike the previous Skoda Felicia, the new
Felicia E will be a pure electric car, based on the MEB architecture, and it
will be the firm's own version of the VW I.D. hatchback. Unlike its German
counterpart, though, the Czech variant should be offered in at least two
grades. These could allow buyers to choose between either a higher range or a
better boot capacity.
It will be about as big as the Rapid Spaceback, but
being underpinned by the MEB platform will significantly transform its cabin
space, as the British publication believes that it will not only be roomier than
the larger Octavia, but also very close to the Superb. The Skoda Felicia E
(name unconfirmed) won't be the manufacturer's only EV model, as the
zero-emission push will also include the production version of the Vision E
Concept. It will also be based on the MEB architecture, and it's believed to
slot between the Karoq and the Kodiaq in terms of size.
The as-of-yet-unnamed coupe SUV will target the
Tesla Model X, at approximately half the price, and it's said to become the
most expensive product in Skoda's family. It's still too early to talk about
its specs, but it could benefit from a range of up to 500 km, and a
total system output of more than 300 hp.
A Karoq-sized electric SUV is also believed to be in
the pipeline, and it could be joined by a two-door or four-door coupe saloon.
The latter, which was hinted by the brand's R&D chief, Christian Strube, a
few months ago, could have a range in excess of 480 km, and probably
more than 300 hp. It will likely be initially launched in China, in the first
half of next decade, and probably in Western Europe later.
Skoda is still planning to electrify the Citigo,
with a zero-emission variant, and it will also offer a plug-in hybrid variant
of the Superb, both of which should hit the market in 2019.