Pictures can be deceiving and that’s certainly the case with this
modified Volkswagen Tiguan which was spotted undergoing testing on the
Nürburgring earlier today. While the model doesn’t look terribly special, a closer inspection
reveals it’s actually a Skoda mule as it has plates from the Czech Republic and
a license plate frame identifying it as a Skoda.
The mule is also notable as it features a longer wheelbase than the
Tiguan and that extra room has been installed at the B-pillar. We also know the
model is fully electric as it lacks an exhaust system and features a prominent
yellow “Elektrofahrzeug” warning on the tailgate.
The production model will look nothing like this mule and it’s
believed the vehicle is based on the MEB platform. This isn’t too surprising as
Volkswagen used a similar mule when they first started testing the ID.4
crossover. As for what the production model will look like, we already have a
pretty good idea as Skoda introduced the Vision iV at the Geneva Motor Show. At
the time, the automaker said the concept is a “concrete preview” of their first
electric vehicle based on the MEB platform.
The concept was equipped with an 83 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
which feed two electric motors. This setup gave the crossover all-wheel drive
as well as a combined output of 302 hp. Furthermore, the concept could
accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and travel up to 500 km in the WLTP cycle. Skoda also said the battery could be given an 80
percent charge in just 30 minutes.
The electric crossover will go into production next year and be built
at the Mladá Boleslav plant in the Czech Republic.
