Skoda thinks big

Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer is proud. “With the Vision 7S concept study, we are taking a concrete look at a completely new Skoda model, with which we will complement our product portfolio and customer base,” he explains. But this electric crossover, which sits above the Superb and Kodiaq, will hit mass production by at least 2026, and we can still get behind the wheel of the concept car today.

Its technical basis is the well-known modular electric kit that almost all VW Group brands use for their new electric models. But for the seven-seat Skoda, the wheelbase has been extended by an impressive 25 centimeters, making the Vision 7S nearly five meters in length. We admire the feeling of great emptiness.

Rear or all-wheel drive

The battery pack with a capacity of 89 kWh under the vehicle body should allow a range of up to 600 kilometers. You can refuel at the fast charging station up to 200 kilowatts. However, there is no official information yet. But Klaus Zellmer hints that in addition to an entry-level version with rear-wheel drive and 204 hp, there may be all-wheel drive models with up to 360 hp.

The interior presents itself clearly and simply. “A dashboard consisting only of a large screen looks modern. But our research shows that customers also want some physical buttons for frequently used functions,” explains interior designer Peter Ola. The center console features six buttons that give the driver direct access to the infotainment, phone, vehicle settings, navigation and application menus. Practical and simple – typically Skoda.

The interior becomes a stylish living room

Also clever: during breaks while driving – to charge the car battery, for example – a relaxation mode can be activated at the push of a button. The interior of the vehicle is then converted into a stylish saloon. The steering wheel and instrument panel disappear to the rear, creating additional space. The front row seats swivel inward and can be placed so that front and rear passengers can clearly see the display, which is now placed horizontally. Ideal for watching movies or playing video games.

Peter Ola shows how we can facilitate access to the third row of seats with individually sliding second row seats. “And if you need to haul bulky goods, the last row of seats can be folded completely flat and recessed into the luggage compartment floor.”

Electronic steering

Then we can finally take a little tour with the million-dollar prototype. Once again, we admired the interior concept and praised the sense of great space. But we were surprised by the wide two-spoke steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom. “It is the interface for the future wired steering system,” explains Peter Ola. In other words, fully electronically controlled steering without a mechanical steering column, which is still common today. It all feels very direct and already quite mature. In stark contrast to the chassis – our test vehicle doesn’t seem to have anything like it. And the one-off’s accelerator and brake pedals still run a certain degree slow.

But Skoda engineers still have four years to develop a mass-produced electric touring crossover from the Vision 7S prototype. We’ll see how much its price will reduce the travel budget.