Skoda: Epic entry for the new electric car
The new all-electric entry-level model from Skoda combines affordability, a compact format and suitability for everyday use. Incidentally, the Epiq e-crossover was unveiled in Switzerland.
It's not every day that Spreitenbach becomes the hub of the car world. The Aargau municipality is better known for its unchecked urban sprawl, less than sophisticated high-rise buildings from the 1970s and huge shopping centers. However, Skoda recently presented the Epiq crossover to the world in Spreitenbach, the Czech company's new entry-level electric model. «The Epiq is compact, self-confident, unmistakably Skoda and designed to offer exceptional value for money,» said Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer at the world premiere. «The Epiq sets clear standards for what an entry-level electric model should be: clear, functional design, intuitive operation and real everyday utility.»
What is real everyday use?
By this, the Czechs mean, for example, a spacious interior including a 475-liter cargo area and a 25-liter frunk under the front hood, a range of up to 430 kilometers, but also bidirectional charging functionality and, above all, an attractive price starting at 25,500 francs. ’As our first production model from Skoda to fully implement the «Modern Solid» design language, the Epiq packs technologies from higher vehicle segments into an affordable package," Zellmer continues.
Tailored to Switzerland
Amag CEO Helmut Ruhl is also pleased about the addition to Skoda's e-portfolio, which will be supplemented in late fall by the new flagship Peaq with up to seven seats: «The Czechs are real tinkerers, but at the same time sporty and modest.» With a mischievous smile, Ruhl adds: «Skoda doesn't shoot cars to Mars, Skoda also dispenses with Far Eastern gadgets, Skoda simply builds good cars.» And that is exactly what goes down well, and not just in Switzerland. With Kodiaq (2nd), Enyaq (5th) and Elroq (10th), three models are in the top ten of the sales statistics in this country, with Octavia and Karoq (11th/12th) and Fabia (15th) even six models in the top fifteen of over 450 vehicles on the Swiss market. Skoda brand boss Markus Kohler also attributes this to his very active dealer network and adds: «Our brand also adopts developments from VW and Audi and implements them more efficiently and cost-effectively, which is also well received.»
From September at the dealers
The Epiq will be launched in September, initially as a «Selection» (from 37,800 Swiss francs) and above all as a ’First Edition« with a range of exterior details (from 40,000 Swiss francs) that will not be found on other Epiq variants. These include accents in the color Navajo Orange on the exterior mirror housings, the trim strip above the side windows, the stripes on the hubcaps and the surrounds of the vertical openings in the front and rear bumpers. The two-tone paint finish with black roof further highlights the »First Edition’, which is available in five exterior colors, as well as black roof rails and 20-inch alloy wheels.
The 4.17 meter long and 1.80 meter wide crossover also scored points as a «normal» Epiq. It is available with front-wheel drive, two drive battery capacities (38.5 or 55 kWh) and three power variants from 85 kW/116 hp to 99 kW/135 hp to 155 kW/211 hp and offers a standard range of up to 430 kilometers. The top-of-the-range Epiq 55 can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in around 24 minutes at the DC fast charging station. The cheeky Czech can also charge bidirectionally. And, as is typical for Skoda, it offers plenty of space. Passengers also sit very comfortably in the rear, and the 475-liter trunk is one of the largest in its class - an electric car with a high degree of everyday practicality. And, of course, many of the brand's typical Simply Clever solutions.
