Reuters cites a VW Group spokesperson saying the global recall is necessary because of a fire risk. The issue stems from a potentially defective fuse in the drivetrain. In a worst-case scenario, the fuse won’t work as it should when there’s an overvoltage. To fix the problem, technicians will have to install an insulating mat on the battery’s switch box.

No fewer than 16 cases have been reported thus far at home in Germany, prompting the VW Group to issue a global recall. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) regulator, these vehicles suffer from “inadequate fastening of the engine design cover that can lead to contact with hot parts and subsequently to fire.”

Approximately 42,300 VW Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Arteon, and Multivan T7 vehicles are impacted by the recall, while luxury brand Audi must fix 24,400 units of the A3 and Q3. The rest of the vehicles until 100,000 belong to Skoda and SEAT as the mainstream brands from the Czech Republic and Spain also use PHEV tech developed by their parent company. For example, about 22,000 units of the 2021 Octavia and Superb PHEV have been hit with a recall.

Although the VW Group is pressing ahead with its EV agenda, plug-in hybrids remain important. So much so that the next-generation Audi A4 will bring a more advanced PHEV setup courtesy of a bigger battery pack for a longer electric range. Expect future plug-in hybrids from VAG to cover more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) without sipping any fuel. Hopefully, the German automotive giant will learn from its mistakes and won’t repeat them on next-gen electrified cars.

With VW confirming the Golf and Tiguan will live to see a new generation, it tells us PHEVs won’t be discontinued until the end of the decade or even later.

Source: Reuters

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The vehicle in question is believed to be smaller than the Enyaq but slightly bigger than the Volkswagen ID.3. It is worth mentioning Skoda has already announced plans to launch three electric models by the end of the decade. One of them is likely previewed by this vehicle, rumored to be around 4.5 meters (177 inches) long. From what’s visible in the adjacent teaser photo, the vehicle has a completely enclosed front grille, thus strongly suggesting there’s no combustion engine that needs to be cooled.

A vertical strip of LED daytime running lights has been installed at the outer corners of the headlights, while the front bumper appears to have a closed-off configuration. We’re not entirely certain, but the electric crossover probably has cameras instead of traditional glass mirrors, which reinforces our belief it’s a concept rather than a production model. If our assumption is correct, the road-going model has slim chances of arriving until 2024 at the earliest.

Short front and rear overhangs indicate it’s underpinned by a dedicated electric car platform, which can only be the omnipresent MEB used by the Enyaq and the new Enyaq Coupe. The smallest EV that Skoda is working on will sit on the MEB-Small architecture set to feature a front-wheel-drive layout. Expect the city car to arrive in the latter half of the decade, so after this unknown crossover.

Skoda has developed a habit of rolling out “Vision” concept cars as a window into the brand’s future. Consequently, the showcar arriving later in 2022 could carry this moniker, but the subsequent production car will be called something else. When the Modern Solid design language is unveiled in the coming months, “there will be a real wow moment – both for customers and our competition, too” – according to a statement made by departing CEO Thomas Schäfer. He will take the lead of the VW core brand starting tomorrow, April 1.

Source: Skoda

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The most significant change implemented by Skoda is improved thermal management by turning on the battery’s temperature control at lower temperatures. In addition, it’ll be adjusted at all times and the Czech automaker says reaching the ideal temperature window is achieved quicker. Not only that, but the battery will stay within the optimal temperature interval for a longer time.

Doing so increases the battery’s lifetime and enables a more optimal power delivery from the electric motor. As for the range, Skoda mentions the Enyaq Coupe iV 60 will cover 416 kilometers (258 miles) in the WLTP cycle, while the 80 version is going to cover 544 kilometers (338 miles). For the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive 80x model, the range increases to 520 km (323 miles).

Since we mentioned the battery, the ME3 software update allows the Enyaq models equipped with the 62-kWh pack to DC charge at up to 120 kW. The electric SUVs with the larger 82-kWh battery will now charge at a maximum power of 135 kW. Going from a state of charge of 10% to 80% will take 55 minutes with the smaller battery and 70 minutes with the larger pack.

Elsewhere, Skoda’s new software brings improvements to the head-up display and digital instrument cluster, along with simplifying the planning for the charging stop for AWD-equipped Enyaq models. A battery care mode is added to limit the state of charge to a maximum of 80%. It also lowers the charging speed and power to prolong the battery’s life.

Source: Skoda

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The two Enyaq models are the only MEB-based models to be manufactured in Europe outside of Germany. In the case of the coupe, it’s also the first electric RS model from Skoda, and serves as the company’s most expensive car ever made. The automaker brags about the car’s impressively low drag coefficient of only 0.234, helping to squeeze 545 kilometers (339 miles) of WLTP range for the most efficient version.

Standard across the Enyaq Coupe range, the panoramic glass roof is the biggest Skoda has ever put on a car and also helps boost interior headroom since the glass is thinner than a metal roof. Despite being beaten with the coupe stick, Skoda claims you can still cram in 570 liters of cargo behind the rear seats, which should be enough for most people.

The “coupe” version builds upon the success of the regular Enyaq which was manufactured in 50,000 examples in 2021. Three cheaper and smaller EVs will follow the electric SUV duo by the end of the decade when the company estimates EV take rate in Europe will increase to 50-70%. By 2030, Skoda hopes to halve fleet emissions and prepare for an inevitable sales ban on new cars equipped with combustion engines. It could arrive as early as 2035 if the European Commission’s proposal will be voted favorably.

Details about the three upcoming EVs have not been disclosed, although reports state one will be a city car to succeed the Citigo-e, along with a smaller sub-Enyaq crossover and a compact sedan in the same vein as the best-selling Octavia.

Source: Skoda

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“We’re coming shortly with an announcement on this one, but rest assured it will be differentiated from our sister brands and a beautiful concept that really fits Skoda.” He went on to say VW, SEAT, and Cupra are “pushing ahead a little stronger on this side,” which tells us the three brands are leading the project in terms of development.

As to when Skoda will introduce the concept, it could happen before the end of this year considering the ID Life and Urban Rebel have been out for quite a while. The production will fill in the void left after the demise of the Citigo-e iV and will serve as the company’s entry-level EV. It will ride on the front-wheel-drive-based MEB Entry architecture rather than the RWD-based MEB architecture used for the ID.3 through ID.6 models, plus the upcoming ID Buzz minivan.

The first products to ride on the new platform are earmarked to arrive in 2025 and chances are VW, SEAT/Cupra, and Skoda will all launch their EVs at roughly the same time. As for the other two vehicles with zero emissions the company is working on, one of them could be a compact sedan based on the ID.3, possibly joined by a wagon since the body style remains popular among Skoda buyers despite the SUV boom. That said, we wouldn’t exclude a smaller crossover to slot below the Enyaq.

Thomas Schäfer told Autocar the next decade could come along with bigger EVs, such as a seven-seat SUV in the same vein as the VW ID.6 sold in China with three rows of seats. In addition, Skoda’s head honcho didn’t rule out an electric minivan similar to the hotly anticipated ID Buzz premiering on March 9.

Source: Autocar

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The Czech automaker aims to sell the new Enyaq Coupe with a choice between 62- and 82-kWh battery packs as well as with either rear- or all-wheel drive. For maximum efficiency, the bigger battery will be combined with RWD to achieve a WLTP rating of 545 kilometers (339 miles). Should you prioritize performance, the RS model has ID.5 GTX-matching 295 hp and 339 lb-ft (460 Nm), good for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 6.5 seconds and a top speed limited at 112 mph (180 km/h).

Skoda is being generous with the level of equipment since a panoramic glass roof comes as standard, much like the illuminated grille, lowered sports suspension and two big screens inside – the infotainment measuring 13 inches and the driver’s display at 5.3 inches. You can spend extra on a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality (AR) tech, matrix full-LED headlights, and a swanky Canton surround sound system with no fewer than 13 speakers.

There are a multitude of ways to configure the Enyaq Coupe since it can be ordered with 18- to 21-inch wheels, an RS-exclusive Mamba Green paint, a wireless charging pad for your smartphone, and a heat pump. You can also spend extra on a parking assistant, a trailer hitch, and even seat upholstery made from sustainable materials like polyester from PET bottles.

Pricing details have not been disclosed, but an educated guess tells us it will command a premium over the standard Enyaq. Of course, the RS will be even more expensive once the coupe-styled electric SUV will go on sale. The range-topping version is the fourth Skoda model to get the RS treatment, after the Octavia RS, Kodiaq RS, and the long-defunct Fabia RS.

The Mladá Boleslav brand has vowed to roll out three additional electric vehicles by the end of the decade, all of which will be positioned below the Enyaq in terms of pricing. One of them is expected to be a city car to replace the Citigo-e iV, along with a smaller crossover, and quite possibly an EV equivalent of the Octavia.

Source: Skoda

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By having access to the MEB platform, Skoda has not only launched its first fully electric SUV – the Enyaq – but it’s also putting the finishing touches on a coupe-influenced version for those in the market for a more stylish alternative. Essentially, it will represent the brand’s own version of the Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron and the Volkswagen ID.5, but with the added practicality you would expect from the car manufacturer based in Mladá Boleslav.

In a rather surprising move, the Enyaq Coupe iV not only has a better range (of 535 kilometers / 332 miles) than its two platform-sharing siblings but also a much sleeker body by dropping the drag coefficient to only 0.234. That is considerably better than the 0.26 Cd achieved by the ID.5 and Q4 E-Tron Sportback, which can only cover 497 km / 309 miles and 535 km / 332 miles, respectively.

Even though the debut won’t take place until the end of January next year, we already know Skoda will sell the Enyaq Coupe iV in two rear-wheel-drive configurations (60 and 80 models) alongside the all-wheel-drive-equipped 80x. The first two will have a single electric motor mounted at the back delivering 177 and 201 horsepower depending on the trim, while the beefier model will also pack a front-mounted motor for a combined 261 hp.

It goes without saying you will be able to achieve that impressive range only if you opt for the bigger battery, specifically an 82-kWh pack whereas the base one has to make do with 62 kWh. With the rear bench up, the Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV will be able to swallow 570 liters of your cargo, representing a negligible decrease of merely 15 liters over the non-coupe SUV.

Look for the coupe-styled derivative to command a premium over the normal Enyaq seeing as how the ID.5 costs extra compared to the ID.4 while the Q4 Sportback E-Tron is also a tad more expensive than the regular Q4. We’re expecting the new electric SUV to hit Skoda dealerships in Europe by the middle of next year.

Source: Skoda

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New details have now emerged courtesy of an interview Autocar had with Skoda sales and marketing boss Martin Jahn. He pledged the company won’t focus solely on SUVs as other shapes of vehicles remain relevant to customers despite more and more people opting for high-riding vehicles. He went on to say the Octavia and Superb models will remain in the portfolio, complete with their combustion engines. Equivalent electric models could be sold alongside for a while before the gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles will be eventually retired.

This tells us an EV counterpart to the Octavia will ride on a completely different platform and adopt a fresh moniker to differentiate itself from the similarly sized ICE-powered model. Chances are Skoda could be working on its own version of Volkswagen’s Aero B, an electric sedan due to arrive in 2023. Such a model would likely complement the larger Superb rather than the best-selling Octavia since the ID Vizzion concept was about the same size as the Passat, VW’s sister model of the Superb.

If that’s going to be the case, logic tells us Skoda will also roll out an electric wagon seeing as how the VW concept was an estate. Jahn told Autocar the long-roof body style remains very successful for the brand, and while he admitted the future will be predominantly about SUVs, other body styles will complete the rest of the lineup.

A new wagon would be good considering the latest Fabia supermini won’t spawn a Combi version anymore due to upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations. In addition, Skoda is likely to roll out its own version of the entry-level EV that Volkswagen is planning, potentially called the ID.1. The latter is slated to arrive in 2025 and fill in the void left after the e-up!’s demise. Reports say Skoda’s version will be called Elroq, but nothing is official at this point.

Meanwhile, we are likely only a few weeks away from the world premiere of a coupe-styled derivative based on the Enyaq iV, representing Skoda’s equivalent of the recently unveiled VW ID.5.

Source: Autocar

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It will be the same story with the ID.5 as both coupe-SUVs will feature an athletic body to the detriment of practicality as we’re expecting rear headroom and cargo capacity to suffer due to the inclined roofline. These two mainstream EVs will be sister models of the luxury Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback by riding on the same MEB platform as the standard Enyaq, ID.4, and Q4 E-Tron.

Prior to the big reveal coming in a few months, Skoda CEO Thomas Schäfer decided to take the firm’s head of design Oliver Stefani out for a quick spin on the streets of Prague in a camouflaged prototype of the Enyaq Coupe iV. We get to see the disguised electric SUV from all exterior angles, showing a similar silhouette to that of the VW ID.5.

The fact Skoda didn’t bother to disguise the interior tells us the “coupe” version will virtually carry over the cabin of its conventionally designed counterpart. That massive panoramic sunroof stretching from the front all the way to the back will be a nice option to have and it appears to have a one-piece design rather than a two-part glass surface as you’ll find on the regular Enyaq.

With the ID.5 already confirmed to get the GTX treatment, it would make sense for the Enyaq Coupe iV to receive a hot RS version in the same vein as the ID.4 GTX / Enyaq RS twins. It will have all-wheel drive with dual motors pushing out around 300 horsepower, effectively making it the most powerful road Skoda ever launched by the Mladá Boleslav brand.

The official reveal is slated to take place at the beginning of 2022 and it already looks like Skoda has a winner on its hands given the immense popularity of the regular Enyaq and the fact SUVs with coupe-derived styling are a hit nowadays.

Source: Skoda / YouTube

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The VW core brand will allegedly introduce an ID.1 crossover around the middle of the decade that will be followed in 2027 by an ID.2 small hatchback. Skoda is believed to be working on the Elroq crossover for a mid-2024 market launch, while the SEAT Acandra is expected to go on sale in early 2025 as a hatchback. Automotive News reports the Acandra could spawn a second body style, but nothing is official at this point.

These smaller EVs are all rumored to cost from approximately €19,000 and could one day serve as direct replacements of the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia, and SEAT Ibiza. As a side note, the mechanically related Audi A1 will be phased out after this generation, with the German luxury brand suggesting it will replace it with an electric city car.

Company sources cited by Automotive News say that even though Skoda is leading the development work, these new budget-friendly EVs will be built in Spain at SEAT’s Martorell plant as well as VW’s Pamplona factory. They’ll all ride on a shortened configuration of the MEB dedicated electric architecture and will use the same battery packs found in the ID.3, ID.4, Enyaq, Q4 E-Tron, and Cupra Born.

According to the same report, this new batch of cheaper EVs will benefit from a more advanced operating system typically reserved for vehicles from a segment above. Owners will apparently have access to payment services and take advantage of charging assistance, while over-the-air upgrades could be planned as well.

With the Skoda Citigo-e iV, SEAT Mii Electric, and the VW e-up! on their way out, these upcoming electric cars are necessary in VW Group’s portfolio to fight the Peugeot e-208, Opel Corsa-e, and the upcoming all-electric Renault 5.

Source: Automotive News

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