Production-spec Skoda Vision O may get range extender powertrain

The production version of the Skoda Vision O estate concept, which will be offered primarily in electric guise, could add a range-extender powertrain, CEO Klaus Zellmer told Autocar UK. The Vision O concept debuted at the ongoing Munich motor show and previews the next generation of the Octavia Combi estate, which is sold in overseas markets. Skoda “will explore all [powertrain] options” if regulations allow, Zellmer stated.

1. Production car will be underpinned by VW’s modular SSP base
2. It will be the first Skoda model to use the platform
3. Adding autonomous functions is easier with SSP: Zellmer

He also noted that the speed of EV adoption has not materialised as was anticipated, adding, “We’ve learned we need to keep avenues open, and we need to do what our customers want. The first rule of any business is that if you do what your customers want, you will be successful.”

Production-spec Skoda Vision O launch details

Arriving in the next decade

The final version to spawn from the prototype is all set for introduction early in the next decade. While technical details are not available as of now, we know that it is going to be underpinned by Volkswagen Group’s modular Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which is essentially an electric platform but is engineered to be highly modular. Volkswagen has confirmed it will at least be able to accept a range-extender powertrain, as seen with the 2025 Cupra Tindaya concept.

2023 MEB-based Skoda estate EV concept.

Skoda did show an electric estate a few years ago, which was said to be based on the VW MEB (modular electric drive matrix) architecture, but it ended up postponing the project. “For long-distance driving, you need autonomous functions in a car, and that will be easier to realise with a new platform,” Zellmer said while highlighting the use case for an estate.

ICE version-like pricing for the EV crucial: Skoda

Octavia Combi is priced north of 28,825 pounds (Rs 34 lakh) in the UK

Skoda Octavia Combi estate version sold in the UK (representative image).

Skoda aims to price the upcoming estate close to the existing combustion-engined model. “[It] is one of the highest objectives we have now, because we need to stay in that price bracket, or else, we’re going to shock people, and they’ll go somewhere else,” Zellmer told Autocar UK. For reference, the Skoda Octavia Combi on sale in the UK is priced from 28,825 pounds, which is approximately Rs 34.37 lakh.