Crossovers and SUVs could reign supreme in most components of the world, however wagons nonetheless matter in Europe. Since 2016, the rising reputation of the Octavia Combi and Very good Combi has made Skoda the best-selling model on the continent on this section. With the Imaginative and prescient O idea, the Czech automaker, a part of the Volkswagen Group, is pledging to maintain estates alive within the electrical period. Whereas the sensible physique type stays acquainted, almost the whole lot else marks a big departure from in the present day’s gas-powered vehicles.
Historically, Skoda has performed it protected with exterior designs to attraction to a broad buyer base, however its newest idea is daring from each angle. The Imaginative and prescient O appears to be like much more placing than the equally sized Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer, choosing sharper edges as a substitute of curved surfaces. It doesn’t even function a grille, however moderately a so-called “tech-loop masks.” This EV absolutely embraces minimalist design with fewer creases, slimmer lights, and door handles that sit flush with the sleek bodywork.
Photograph by: Skoda
Photograph by: Skoda
At 4,850 millimeters (191 inches) lengthy, it’s bigger than the Octavia Combi however nonetheless barely shorter than the Very good Combi. It trumps each in width, measuring a beneficiant 1,900 millimeters (74.8 inches). Like most EVs, which usually sit larger than their combustion-engine counterparts because of the cumbersome battery, the Imaginative and prescient O isn’t any exception. It stands 1,500 millimeters (59 inches) tall and rides on massive, aero-optimized wheels.
The panoramic roof extends all the way in which to the rear, making the electrical wagon seem even larger. Suicide rear doorways could look cool, but it surely’s onerous to think about Skoda carrying over the rear-hinged setup to the manufacturing mannequin. A virtually flat roofline maximizes inside house, offering 650 liters (23 cubic ft) of cargo quantity with the rear seats up. Folding the rear bench expands capability to greater than 1,700 liters (60 cubic ft).
Photograph by: Skoda
Inside, the cavernous cabin has little in widespread with in the present day’s Skoda fashions. An oblong display measuring over 1.2 meters (47.2 inches) stretches nearly the complete width of the dashboard. It brings to thoughts the brand new BMW iX3, though that crossover technically initiatives the picture moderately than utilizing a display.
The Imaginative and prescient O’s jumbo-sized vertical show hasn’t swallowed all bodily controls, as a handful of switches stay for adjusting temperature and fan velocity. However, because the proprietor of a 2017 Octavia, it pains me to see the route Skoda is taking by migrating entry to most features to the display. Seeing the glass half full, at the very least there’s nonetheless a giant dial under the infotainment. The floating middle console additionally homes a pair of magnetic wi-fi charging pods, eliminating the effort of cables.
Technical specs past dimensions stay unknown. Skoda hasn’t mentioned whether or not the Imaginative and prescient O is said to the ID.7 Tourer by sharing the MEB structure. If not, the manufacturing mannequin may as a substitute undertake SSP, the upcoming platform set to underpin the next-generation, electric-only Golf in 2029. In any case, the road-going Octavia is predicted to function a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup as customary, with dual-motor all-wheel drive obtainable optionally.
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Supply: Skoda
Given the idea’s title, it’s clearly a imaginative and prescient of the Octavia’s future. Though Skoda doesn’t explicitly say the Imaginative and prescient O previews the next-generation Octavia in electrical guise, the connection is straightforward to make. When the EV ultimately arrives, it’s unlikely to mark the tip of the combustion-engine mannequin. In any case, the Octavia has been the model’s best-selling automotive since its reintroduction in 1996.
It’s onerous to think about Skoda abandoning the ICE model so quickly and betting the whole lot on a manufacturing mannequin impressed by this boldly styled idea. Whether or not options just like the Imaginative and prescient O’s built-in fridge or moveable speaker will really attain manufacturing stays to be seen, although they might make for neat Merely Intelligent touches.
