Skoda iV: Superb and Citigo lead electrification charge, but aren’t coming to Australia

Skoda has revealed the first electric vehicles in its 124-year history, the Superb iV and Citigo iV, as it begins to move into electrification by adding plug-in hybrid and fully-electric drivetrains to its existing vehicles.

In addition to EVs, Skoda has committed to forging ahead with infrastructure to support this shift to e-mobility.

This includes developing online services under the 'Skoda Connect' brand, offering customers at-home charging infrastructure through wall boxes, and the ability to access public charging infrastructure through a credit card style system called Skoda e-charge.

At today's press conference, Skoda said it'll launch 30 new models between 2019 and 2022, with 25 per cent of sales expected to electrified by 2025. Included within the 30 new models will be 10 electrified models, an impressive third of its expected range of new cars.

Skoda's first two all-new fully-electric vehicles will be based on the Volkswagen Group's MEB modular car platform and are expected to lob by 2020. At least one of these is expected to be a vehicle based on the Skoda Vision iV coupe crossover.

The Superb iV hits the ground running as a plug-in hybrid powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 115kW of power, along with an electric motor that produces 85kW of power.

Both systems are supported by a 13kWh battery that offers up to 56km of pure electric driving range, or a combined range of 850km on a single charge and a full tank of fuel.

Charging of the system at home on a 3.6kW charger takes around 3.5 hours, whilst charging using a regular power plug (2.3kW) takes around six hours.

The Superb has also received a minor facelift with a honeycomb grille incorporating a charging port hidden behind a flap.

The Superb iV debuts two new technologies for Skoda: trailer assist, and a 360-degree camera system utilising four cameras to help place the vehicle in tight parking spaces.

Based on the Volkswagen Up, the Citigo-e iV is Skoda's first fully-electric vehicle.

The Citigo-e iV uses a 36.8kWh battery pack and has a driving range of 260km. Its 61kW/212Nm electric motor will move the hatch from 0-100km/h in a leisurely 12.3 seconds.

The Citigo-e iv measures 3597mm in length and 1645mm in width, making it a certified city runabout, and has 250 litres of cargo capacity and seating capacity for up to four people.

Fast charging occurs through a 40kW DC fast charger, which charges the vehicle up to 80 per cent of capacity in one hour, while a 7.2kW wall box takes just over four hours to perform the same task. Battery life is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000km.

At this stage Skoda isn't expecting to offer either of these models in Australia, but it's a sign of things to come in the Skoda range globally.

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