Skoda’s commitment to electrification will be led by
the plug-in hybrid version of the Superb, which is expected to arrive next
year. The company’s flagship saloon/estate will combine a 1.4-liter petrol
engine with an electric motor, making a total of 215 horsepower, says
AutoExpress, quoting details released by the brand’s senior management.
If those numbers seem familiar, it’s because the
Skoda Superb PHEV will use the same powertrain as the Volkswagen Passat GTE.
However, unlike its German cousin, which has a 9.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack
that allows it to travel for up to 50 km on electricity, the Skoda
will get a zero-emission range of around 70 km, thanks to a 13kWh
battery.
If there is enough market demand, then the Czech
automaker could use the same recipe for the Kodiaq too, or a scaled down
version to fit the smaller Karoq and Octavia, according to their chief of
powertrain, Martin Hrdlicka.
It’s unknown whether Skoda will apply the PHEV badge
on the Superb, or if they will sell it with a different moniker, but either
way, the D-segment car will be joined eventually by full EVs. One of them will
be based on the upcoming VW ID hatch, and will debut in 2020.
