√Skoda planning new baby SUV as its electric price leader

The Czech car maker aims for a sub-$25,000 battery-powered SUV to become the Volkswagen Group’s future cheapest electric car.

Skoda is considering a new city-sized SUV to become the cheapest electric car in its range – with a sub-$25,000 starting price in Europe.

It wants the electric newcomer to fulfil the same role as its small Fabia city car, positioned as the wider Volkswagen Group’s entry-level mainstream model in Europe, after the baby VW Up city car is discontinued in the coming years.

Work is underway to assess the viability of the project, which would be in addition to the three electric SUVs – led by the large Vision 7S seven-seater – already confirmed by Skoda and previously reported by Drive.

“Skoda, from my point of view, has to be the brand that has the easiest access into the VW Group,” new Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer told Auto Express in the UK.

Skoda has already indicated plans for a new small electric SUV, which will be a shared model twinned with Cupra and Volkswagen models – and based on a cheaper MEB ‘Lite’ electric platform developed for VW Group use.

But Zellmer said the proposed new car needs to be smaller and cheaper.

“It has to be below that. We are actively looking at the possibility of Skoda being the brand within the VW Group to make exactly that offer.”

“It’s in the early stages, so I can’t give away details because there are too many variables in that feasibility study.”

“But of course, Skoda, from my point of view, has to be the brand that has the easiest access into the VW Group. And we’re tasked to find the right solution for that.

Skoda is also using its electrification program to take a new design direction – since there is more flexibility in skateboard-style battery packs used for electric platforms, which don’t need to package a petrol engine. The Vision 7S concept highlights that thinking, wearing a new Skoda family logo.

One option is picking up the design direction for the newcomer from the Skoda Kushaq, a city SUV developed specifically for India with a name that translates from the Sanskrit word for king – ‘kushak’ – with a Q at the end to suit the Kodiaq, Karoq and Kamiq names already in use in showrooms.

Zellmer said the focus on affordability might include a single model grade for the new electric car, while it would be tough to include the necessary safety and technology features.

“It’s going to be difficult with the technologies involved. They are expensive – the [safety] assistance systems, and so forth,” he said.

“Or perhaps function-on-demand, where those cars will have features built in, which increases the material costs, but we’re going to have the possibility to use profit pools after you’ve sold the car. That’s something we have to put into the equation.”

The post Skoda planning new baby SUV as its electric price leader – report appeared first on Drive.