- The Epiq is Skoda’s smallest and most reasonably priced EV.
- It is solely supplied with a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup.
- The electrical crossover comes with three energy outputs and two battery varieties.
- Skoda quotes a most vary of 267 miles (430 kilometers).
Following within the footsteps of the Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval, one other VW Group model is bringing again front-wheel-drive EVs. Though not a real successor to the defunct Citigo-e iV, Skoda’s inaugural electrical automotive, the brand new Epiq serves the same position. The small crossover represents the entry level to the Czech model’s electric-vehicle lineup, with costs in some European markets corresponding to these of the combustion-engine Kamiq.
Look past the pompous title, and also you’ll discover the primary Skoda to totally embrace a contemporary styling strategy. The Czech model calls it “Fashionable Strong,” and it brings T-shaped lights at each ends of the small crossover. How small? The Epiq measures simply 164.2 inches (4171 millimeters) lengthy, 70.8 inches (1798 mm) vast, and 63.8 inches (1620 mm) tall. The beneficiant 102.4-inch (2601-mm) wheelbase is made doable by the devoted EV underpinnings.
Though most EVs these days are likely to have flush door handles for higher airflow, Skoda retains issues easy with a standard design. However, the Epiq nonetheless achieves a good drag coefficient of 0.275 due to energetic shutters within the O-shaped entrance air intakes. The 17- to 19-inch wheels have additionally been designed with aerodynamic effectivity in thoughts to maximise vary.
Photograph by: Skoda
Further Badging
We weren’t anticipating the Skoda lettering on the rear pillars, and we might’ve favored to see a return of the badge depicting a winged arrow in a hoop. Nevertheless, many carmakers now want to spell out the corporate’s title moderately than use their logos, though I nonetheless imagine logos are extra recognizable than a bunch of letters. Anyhow, the Epiq has an inoffensive design that gained’t set your pulse racing, however on the identical time, it’s unlikely to spark a lot criticism.
The inside is a little bit of a blended bag as a result of, whereas some bodily buttons sit under the central air vents, ghosts of the previous are nonetheless haunting the VW Group. Sure, we’re speaking in regards to the quantity slider, which the ID. Polo avoids by utilizing a bodily knob as an alternative. It might’ve been worse, although, contemplating the Raval has even fewer conventional controls.
As customary tools, Skoda combines a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 13-inch touchscreen. Step as much as the nicer trim ranges, and also you’ll additionally get ambient lighting, together with tender material supplies for the door panels and dashboard to match the seat upholstery.
Photograph by: Skoda
Though it’s a small crossover, the Epiq boasts a outstanding cargo capability of 16.7 cubic ft (475 liters), or 2.6 cubic ft (75 liters) greater than the gas-fueled Kamiq. Folding the rear seats will increase quantity to 47.4 cubic ft (1,344 liters), and there’s an extra 0.9 cubic ft (26 liters) of cupboard space scattered all through the cabin. A tiny entrance trunk offers simply sufficient room to retailer the charging cables.
Skoda Epiq: Energy, Battery, Vary
The Epiq is Skoda’s first manufacturing mannequin based mostly on the MEB+ platform, developed completely for front-wheel-drive fashions. The electrical motor is available in three energy ranges: 114 horsepower with 197 lb-ft (267 Nm), 133 hp with 197 lb-ft (267 Nm), and 208 hp with 214 lb-ft (290 Nm).
Splurge on probably the most highly effective Epiq, and it’ll hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in a good 7.4 seconds earlier than topping out at 110 mph (160 km/h).
Solely probably the most highly effective electrical motor comes paired with the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery that includes a 51.7-kWh web capability. The opposite two variations make do with a 37-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack. Each batteries share the identical bodily dimensions, however the NMC unit affords increased vitality density.
Follow the bottom battery, and Skoda estimates a most vary of 196 miles (315 kilometers), whereas the bigger pack has sufficient juice for 267 miles (430 km) on a single cost. Except for providing higher vary, the NMC battery additionally helps DC charging at as much as 125 kW, enabling a 10-to-80-percent cost in 23 minutes. The bottom mannequin’s LFP battery maxes out at 90 kW, permitting a 10-to-80-percent recharge in 28 minutes.
Wanting forward, Skoda has one other EV ready within the wings. Debuting later this 12 months, the Peaq three-row SUV will develop into the corporate’s largest electrical automobile ever.
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Supply: Skoda
Motor1’s Take: With the newest arrival, VW Group is doubling down on entry-level EVs. The core model itself will get an equal model of the Epiq when the ID. Cross launches later this 12 months. With the promise of a good smaller and cheaper VW-badged EV due in 2027, the automotive conglomerate is popping up the warmth because it battles an inflow of cheap Chinese language EVs.
Even Audi is getting in on the motion by reviving the A2 later this 12 months as its entry-level electrical automotive, possible twinned with the just lately launched rear-wheel-drive VW ID.3 Neo.
