► Skoda’s electric flagship due by end of 2026
► Previewed by Vision S concept and ‘Space’ design mockup
► Will be around 4.9m long, features seven-seats
Skoda’s flagship electric car has been spotted winter testing, ahead of its launch by the end of 2026. The new, large seven-seat EV will top the brand’s range of electric cars – and will likely undercut several rivals on price.
The brand has already confirmed that the new model will be ‘around 4.9 metres long,’ and will ‘offer flexibility and enormous space.’ The new model will also feature seven seats – acting as a battery-electric complement to the Kodiaq.
We’ve already had some strong hints towards its shape and how the new model will look. For example, the Vision 7S Concept (which we’ve driven, albeit very slowly) is the closest thing we have to describe how it looks. Skoda says so itself via some jelly mould-like design sculpture named ‘Space’ (pictured below) that its flagship EV will be based off the 7S and its ‘Modern Solid’ design language.
Evidence of that new design language has already launched, as new EV models like the Elroq and upcoming Epiq already share the same design cues. The Enyaq’s facelift features some of these style details, too.
Skoda CEO, Klaus Zellmer, told CAR in 2023 that ‘almost all’ of the new EVs the brand plans to release between then and the end of 2026 will run on MEB+. This range of cars includes the Epiq and Elroq, as well as a new electric estate.
The key word there is *almost* – meaning this new SUV could either use this architecture, or the PPE platform used by the Audi Q6 e-Tron and electric Porsche Macan. That said, it makes sense that MEB+ would likely be the preferred option given its wider economies of scale and lower manufacturing costs – key to keep Skoda’s prices down.
MEB+ is what underpins the large VW ID.7 and its Tourer estate sibling. Using this platform means rear or all-wheel drive versions for Skoda’s new electric SUV, with a possible range of up to 435 miles.
We’ll update this if we find out any more information