Skoda has ushered in 2026 by announcing an “Epiq New Year” and confirming the unveiling of two all-new electric SUVs.
CEO Klaus Zellmer presented the two cars in secret in a new video published today on the Czech brand’s media site. Both will be unveiled later this year.
The first is the production version of the Skoda Epiqa compact electric crossover that’s roughly the same size as the existing Kamiq.
The Epiq, which was unveiled in near-production form in Munich last September, features the Czech brand’s new ‘Modern Solid’ design language and has been tipped by Skoda to rival the Kamiq in terms of price (at least in Europe).
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The Epiq will offer a 475-litre boot – more than the Kamiq’s 400L – and an electric range of 425km (WLTP), but Skoda has not revealed any further details on the powertrain.
Although no official powertrain details have been revealed, it is believed that the Epiq will be based on the same MEB+ affordable electric vehicle (EV) architecture as the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval, as well as the similarly sized Kamiq rides on the MQB A0 underpinnings shared with the Volkswagen Polo.
That means the potential for three different electric motor outputs – 85kW, 99kW and 155kW – with the option of 37kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and 52kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) battery packs.
Despite its entry-level positioning, the Skoda Epiq could, given the ID. be a technological showcase for the brand. The Polo will introduce a “significantly improved” travel assistant for the first time, which “can enable assisted lateral and longitudinal guidance and assisted lane changing on motorways” as well as traffic light and stop sign recognition – although this will probably initially be reserved for the VW.
More will be revealed when the production version of the Epiq is unveiled in mid-2026, but we already know Skoda Australia will release it here – just not when.
Mr Zellmer confirmed that following the debut of the Epiq, Skoda will introduce a “brand new seven-seater for families and everyday explorers”.
The large electric SUV is said to be the production version of the Vision 7S concept first shown in 2022 and will be Skoda’s new flagship and the battery-powered companion to the existing Kodiaq.
Not much is known about the as-yet-unnamed new model, but we do know that it will offer three rows of seating and, based on the teaser images, an exterior design very similar to that of the concept car.
Expect it to also ride on an expanded version of the MEB platform that underpins the smaller Elroq and Enyaq, as well as the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID. Buzz.
Mr. Zellmer said in the video that the new electric vehicles will expand the brand’s electrification offering within a portfolio that “offers freedom of choice, including high-efficiency combustion models as well as mild and plug-in hybrids.”
Speaking of mild hybrid, in 2026 Skoda Australia will finally introduce its latest and most efficient 1.5 eTSI petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid technology, starting with the Octavia liftback and estate and the Kodiaq SUV.
As in the European market, the 1.5 eTSI (or mHEV) produces the same 110kW/250Nm as the previous 1.4 TSI turbo petrol engine, but drops the Octavia’s combined fuel consumption from 6.1-6.2L/100km to 5.1-5.2L/100km – a gap that only widens in predominantly urban conditions.
In the larger Kodiaq, the 1.5 eTSI replaces the old 2.0 TSI 4×4 powertrain in the base Select trim, dropping power from 140kW/320Nm to 110kW/250Nm and losing drive to the rear axle, but significantly reducing combined fuel consumption from 9.2L/100km to 6.0L/100km. The Kodiaq mHEV Select will be available with both five-seat and seven-seat cabins.
Additionally, Skoda’s local arm will add its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models this year in the flagship Kodiaq and Superb, which will feature the 150kW version of the VW Group’s 1.5-litre turbocharged PHEV system, already used in Australia in the Cupra Leon Sportstourer and Terramar (albeit a more powerful one 200 kW version) and will also be introduced in the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron this year.
In addition to the additional power over the 1.5 liter engine with mild hybrid technology, the PHEV’s large ~20 kWh (net) battery offers an electric range of over 100 km, regardless of model.
Last year, Skoda sales in Australia fell 4.1 percent, driven by lower volumes across key model ranges including the Octavia, Kamiq and Karoq.
After the Kodiaq was launched locally in April in the new generation, it quickly became the brand’s best seller (1255 units), recording annual sales growth of 5.9 percent.
Smaller wins were recorded by the Enyaq EV range and the Superb large car, with growth of 695.8 percent (to 382 units) and 30.1 percent (to 199 units) respectively, albeit below low figures.
With the introduction of the expected electrified versions of popular models and the further expansion of its electric vehicle range, Skoda will no doubt hope that the company will continue to see solid growth Down Under in 2026 and beyond.
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