Skoda has rung in 2026 by teasing an “Epiq recent 12 months”, and confirming the reveals of two all-new electric SUVs.
CEO Klaus Zellmer presented the 2 cars under wraps in a brand new video published to the Czech brand’s media site today, each of which will probably be revealed this 12 months.
The primary is the production version of the Skoda Epiq, a compact electric crossover roughly the identical size as the prevailing Kamiq.
Revealed in near-production form last September in Munich, the Epiq boasts the Czech brand’s recent ‘Modern Solid’ design language and has been tipped by Skoda to supply price parity (a minimum of in Europe) with the Kamiq.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new automotive. Click here to get an ideal deal.
The Epiq will offer a 475-litre boot – greater than the Kamiq’s 400L – and an electrical driving range of 425km (WLTP), but Skoda didn’t share any additional powertrain details.
While no official details of the powertrain have been revealed, it’s understood the Epiq will draw upon the identical MEB+ inexpensive electric vehicle (EV) architecture because the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval, in the identical way because the similarly sized Kamiq rides on the MQB A0 underpinnings shared with the Volkswagen Polo.
Which means the potential for 3 different electric motor outputs – 85kW, 99kW and 155kW – with the choice of 37kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and 52kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) battery packs.
Despite its entry-level positioning, the Skoda Epiq might be a technological showcase for the brand, given the ID. Polo will debut a “significantly enhanced” Travel Assist feature that may “can enable assisted lateral and longitudinal guidance and assisted lane changes on motorways” in addition to traffic light and stop sign recognition – though this will be reserved for the VW initially.
More will probably be revealed when the production version of the Epiq is revealed in mid-2026, but we already know that Skoda Australia will release it here – just not when, yet.
Mr Zellmer confirmed that following the Epiq’s debut Skoda will reveal a “brand recent seven-seater for families and on a regular basis explorers”.
Set to be the production version of the Vision 7S concept first shown in 2022, the massive electric SUV will probably be Skoda’s recent flagship and the battery-powered companion to the prevailing Kodiaq.
Not much is thought in regards to the as-yet-unnamed recent model, but we do understand it’ll offer three rows of seating and, based on the teaser images, an exterior design very very like the concept automotive’s.
Expect it to also ride on a stretched version of the MEB platform that underpins the smaller Elroq and Enyaq, in addition to the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID. Buzz.
Mr Zellmer said within the video that the brand new EVs will bolster the brand’s electrification range inside a portfolio that gives “freedom of selection, including highly efficient combustion models, and mild and plug-in hybrids”.
Speaking of mild-hybrids, 2026 will see Skoda Australia finally introduce its latest and most effective 1.5 eTSI petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology, starting with the Octavia liftback and wagon, in addition to the Kodiaq SUV.
As with the European market, the 1.5 eTSI (or mHEV) produces the identical 110kW/250Nm because the outgoing 1.4 TSI turbo-petrol engine, but drops combined fuel use within the Octavia from 6.1-6.2L/100km to five.1-5.2L/100km – a niche that can only get larger in mostly urban conditions.
Within the larger Kodiaq, the 1.5 eTSI replaces the old 2.0 TSI 4×4 drivetrain in the bottom Select trim level, dropping outputs from 140kW/320Nm to 110kW/250Nm and losing drive to the rear axle, but reducing combined fuel use significantly from 9.2L/100km to six.0L/100km. The Kodiaq mHEV Select will probably be available with each five-seat and seven-seat cabins.
Further, Skoda’s local arm will add its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models this 12 months within the Kodiaq and Superb flagships, which is able to sport the 150kW version of the VW Group’s 1.5L turbocharged PHEV system which already features within the Cupra Leon Sportstourer and Terramar in Australia (albeit in higher-output 200kW guise), and may even be rolled out to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron this 12 months.
Along with the additional power over the 1.5L engine with mild-hybrid tech, the PHEV’s large ~20kWh (net) battery back offers over 100km of EV driving range whatever the model.
Last 12 months Skoda sales fell by 4.1 per cent in Australia resulting from reduced volume across key model lines including the Octavia, Kamiq and Karoq.
After arriving in new-generation form locally in April, the Kodiaq quickly became the brand’s top-seller (1255 units), notching up annual sales growth of 5.9 per cent.
Smaller wins were posted by the Enyaq EV range and Superb large automotive, with growth of 695.8 per cent (to 382 units) and 30.1 per cent (to 199 units) respectively, albeit off low bases.
With the launch of anticipated electrified versions of popular models, and the further expansion of its EV range, Skoda little doubt hopes maintain solid growth Down Under in 2026 and beyond.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
