Skoda Oz to expand BEVs, refresh model range

SKODA Australia has confirmed that it plans to introduce at least two new battery electric vehicles (BEV) after next year’s introduction of the Enyaq SUV, plus new generations of the Kodiaq large SUV and Superb large sedan and wagon, as well as a mid-life refresh for the Karoq, Kamiq and Scala in what will be a busy 2024 for the Czech brand. 

Speaking to GoAuto at the Enyaq’s Australian reveal, Skoda Australia brand director Michael Irmer said the recent unveiling of six full-size clay models of Skoda’s forthcoming BEV line-up to the press in Europe – all to go on sale there by 2026 – also showcased the brand’s new ‘Modern Solid’ design language that will permeate the entire Skoda range “within three to four years”.

Consisting of extensively restyled versions of the Enyaq wagon and coupe, as well ‘small’, ‘combi’, ‘compact’ and ‘space’ electric vehicles, Skoda’s barrage of all-new BEVs will begin with the Karoq-sized ‘compact’ (whose working title nameplate is ‘Elroq’) in Europe next year, with an Australian introduction expected in 2025.

The ‘compact’ will be followed by the three-row ‘space’ SUV, which takes its inspiration from Skoda’s Vision 7S design concept and will be sold alongside the new-generation Kodiaq as a slightly larger electric alternative.

Last of the six new EVs to launch will be the ‘combi’ – an Octavia-wagon-sized BEV – which has already had its European on-sale date confirmed for 2026. Mr Irmer said the main appeal of the ‘compact’ EV is not only that it acts a passenger-car alternative to the brand’s electric SUVs, but that its slender, car-like shape allows it to capitalise on its aerodynamic advantages at speeds beyond 80km/h, to the benefit overall range.

Mr Irmer also confirmed that the first BEV to debut Skoda’s complete ‘Modern Solid’ design language will be the three-row ‘space’ (which is likely to launch in Europe in 2025, and will eventually be sold in Australia), though elements of this fresh styling direction will be progressively rolled out as new Skoda models are introduced, starting with next year’s next-gen Kodiaq and Superb.

In reference to the 2024 Kodiaq and Superb, and the Elroq ‘compact’ BEV, Mr Irmer said “the design progress and product development has already advanced so much that the full application of this (new) design language is not yet possible”.

Concurrent with Skoda’s focus on introducing a full electric-vehicle range, Mr Irmer said the brand will maintain pace on developing its combustion-engined line-up “well into the 2030s” because not all global markets need to comply to the same strict emissions legislation as western Europe.

The first combustion-engined Skoda to feature elements of ‘Modern Solid’ will be the second-generation Kodiaq, which will be revealed internationally later in 2023 before arriving in Australia during the second quarter of 2024.

Mr Irmer said the second-generation model’s sizing will be very similar to the existing Kodiaq – effectively bridging the medium and large SUV categories – because buyers in all markets value its combination of seven-seat space inside a relatively compact body.

In Australia, the RS version currently accounts for between 40 and 50 per cent of Kodiaq sales – despite some supply difficulties – so Mr Irmer said we should expect to see a premium model mix and cutting-edge technology and features in the second-generation 2024 version.

The same applies to the now eight-year-old Superb large ‘liftback’ sedan and wagon, where the 206kW AWD flagship accounts for up to 75 per cent of Australian sales. Mr Irmer said this may prompt a rationalisation of the existing Superb range to just the 206TSI variants before being replaced by the all-new model next year.

Skoda’s fourth-generation Superb is set to debut in Europe during the second quarter, but Australia will have to wait until the end of 2024 because our preferred engine won’t be available at launch.

Mr Irmer confirmed that our new Superb will maintain its position at the top of Skoda Australia’s passenger-car line-up and be marketed as a premium car featuring the top-spec engine. “(The new Superb) is a flagship, so no base models” he said.

Like the Kodiaq, the new-generation Superb will maintain its current sizing and will continue to be offered in both ‘liftback’ sedan and wagon body styles.

Skoda Australia will also introduce a mid-life refresh of the Karoq SUV in 2024, followed by similar treatment for the Kamiq small SUV and Scala small hatch.

As for the likelihood of introducing range-topping Laurin & Klement variants of other Skoda models – a premium trim level that has a long history in Europe – Mr Irmer said that Skoda Australia will test the waters with the Enyaq L&K first before deciding whether to expand across the range.

“I think (the Laurin & Klement trim level) will really resonate with Australian buyers and help the Skoda brand’s further evolution – positioning itself higher with the new design language too”, he said.