Skoda has not ruled out the possible development of an electrified variant of its seven-seater SUV. The idea of launching a plug-in hybrid Skoda Kodiaq is on the table. The top leader of the Czech brand has assured that they continue to analyze all the possibilities.
The largest SUV Skoda
that we can currently find in the European market is not committed to electrification. Only conventional petrol and diesel engines are available in the Skoda Kodiaq range. Unfortunately, everything indicates that this situation will not change in the short term, but what will happen to the next generation? It is here that the brand itself opens the door to the electrification of the Kodiaq at a high level.
Skoda is analyzing all the options with the aim of materializing the electrification of the Kodiaq range. One of the possibilities that are on the table is neither more nor less than plug-in hybrid technology (PHEV). Even more so when within the Volkswagen Group itself the SEAT Tarraco, a direct alternative to the Kodiaq, is already committed to plug-in hybrid mechanics. However, there are several factors to take into account that will directly influence the possible development of a Skoda Kodiaq PHEV.
The development of a plug-in hybrid Skoda Kodiaq
Within the framework of the annual press conference, Thomas Schäfer himself, CEO of Skoda, has made some very important comments in relation to the development of the hypothetical Kodiaq plug-in hybrid. He assured that plug-in hybrids are an expensive solution to reduce average emissions: “PHEVs are a very expensive way to reduce CO2 and fuel consumption.”
Schäfer pointed out that they are still studying all the possibilities to incorporate PHEV technology into the Kodiaq range: “We are still looking at it. The perspective in the European Union does not really help, because plug-in hybrids will not be supported in the future. That makes it very difficult to get incentives for this car. It’s a huge cost to get it into the car if there’s no market for it.”
In a normal situation, the new generation of the Kodiaq, the second, will see the light at some point in the year 2024. A model that, predictably, will maintain the same base. That is, it will be supported by the MQB-platform, an architecture compatible with electrification. Skoda will also have access to the latest generation internal combustion engines from the Volkswagen Group.
Skoda’s commitment to PHEV technology
The The only Skoda models that opt for plug-in hybrid technology are the Octavia and Superb sedans. The launch of a hypothetical Kodiaq PHEV would allow an SUV alternative to be added to the offer. “The technology is available in the group and the platform is available. We just had the Kodiaq facelifted last year, so we’d still have time to decide if we do it on the next car,” Schäfer said.
Source: AutoExpress