The Shanghai Motor Show 2017 (next Wednesday, April 19 ) will see Skoda debut its first electric-study Vision, which has autonomous driving capability.
With the Vision E study, the company provides its first brand-specific outlook on the future of individual mobility. Skoda says the five-door SUV coupe can travel up to 500 kilometres on purely electric power and meets the level 3 requirements for autonomous driving. It says it is studying the electrification of its model range, and will be offering five purely electric models in various segments by 2025.
The first purely electrically driven and autonomous driving concept car in the company's history embodies the brand’s interpretation of electric vehicles. The Skoda Vision E will be just 25mm shorter, 103mm narrower and 89mm higher than the new Octavia. Thanks to the long wheelbase of 2,850mm, as well as the short overhangs at the front and rear, the designers have created an extremely spacious interior.
In the future-oriented vehicle concept, the elevated seating position typical of SUV models and the generous space combine with a dynamic silhouette and gently sloping roof line in the style of a coupé.
Thanks to the system output of 300bhp (20bhp greater than the fastest Superb 2.0TSI 280bhp model currently offered in Ireland ), the Skoda Vision E accelerates instantaneously and dynamically. The top speed is 180km/h. The powerful lithium-ion batteries and optimal recuperation allow a range of up to 500 kilometres. Thanks to intelligent management, the two electric engines cooperate with maximum efficiency and drive the Vision E over all four wheels. The front and rear-wheel drive is suitably adjusted to ensure the highest degree of stability, dynamism and safety at all times.
With the Vision E, Skoda is also providing an outlook on the forms of autonomous driving coming soon. According to the latest surveys, around 15 per cent of all new cars could be driving completely autonomously in 2030.
Skoda says the concept car Vision E achieves the prerequisites for 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 traffic situation.
Electric mobility strategy
Skoda tells us electromobility plays a key role in the company's global growth strategy. It develops its own vehicle concepts for purely electric mobility on the basis of the MEB Group platform.
The electrification of Skoda’s model range will begin as early as 2019 with the launch of the Superb with a plug-in hybrid drive. Skoda’s first purely electric series-produced vehicle will be released shortly afterwards in 2020. By 2025, the brand will have expanded its range to include five purely electric cars in various segments.
