Skip advert
Advertisement

New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti

The all-electric Skoda Epiq crossover SUV is set to be fully unveiled next year and is likely to cost around £22,000

Skoda has revealed first details of its new all-electric baby SUV, boldly called the Skoda Epiq, that’s set to cost around €25,000 (£22,000) and revive the spirit of the original Yeti when it goes on sale after a public debut next year.

Although the car in these official images is technically a design study, Auto Express understands that it is pretty close to the model that will make it into showrooms, including the interior. 

With the concept’s compact, upright stance and flexible interior, Skoda fans will immediately draw comparisons with the popular Yeti SUV that was axed amongst uproar in 2017. At 4,100mm long, the Epiq is marginally shorter than the Yeti, although it out-punches the older car when it comes to boot space, offering an impressive 490 litres of space compared to the Yeti’s 416 litres.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There are plenty of traditional Skoda Simply Clever features inside, including a floating centre console with a handy spot for wireless phone charging, deep door pockets, cargo hooks in the boot, and underfloor storage. But the interior is bang up to date, with a large central touchscreen and a row of physical buttons lower down, while your smartphone will be able to act as a digital key and sustainable materials feature throughout the cabin.

The Epiq is the latest embodiment of Skoda’s Modern Solid design language, with sharp lines, subtle detailing and clean surfaces. The clamshell bonnet features the new Skoda lettering on the front edge – there’s no sign of the winged Skoda logo anywhere on the car – with slim T-shaped LED lights in the corner and small LED slashes that extend toward the centre where the bonnet protrudes into the grille. The grille itself is actually a smooth, glossy black panel that Skoda calls the Tech-Deck because it hides cameras and sensors for the driver-assistance systems; it’s been seen before, of course, on the Vision 7S concept.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The matrix-LED headlamps are split from the daytime-running lights – as they were on the first-generation Yeti – and sit lower down and feed into another full-width, but slimmer black panel. The bumper features Jeep-like vertical panels, but that might be one element that doesn’t make it into the production model.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The side profile features pronounced wheel arches surrounded by black cladding, while a distinct shoulder line extends over the rear wheels with a shark-fin c-pillar sitting above. The roof gently slopes towards the back into an aerodynamic spoiler, while there are more T-shaped LED lights and a repeat of the eight vertical panels from the front in the rear bumper. Again, the Skoda name is spelled out across the boot lid.

Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer describes the Epiq as “offering a spacious interior within a compact interior, all at an attractive price”, just as the Yeti did when it was launched in 2009. “We have listened to our customers and understand they are looking for attractive options, which is why we are expanding our e-mobility portfolio into this popular segment,” he added. 

The Epiq will sit on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB small platform that will also be used for the upcoming Volkswagen ID. 2 and Cupra Raval – and it will be built at the same factory in Pamplona, Spain.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Although Skoda has said that the Epiq will have a range of up to around 250 miles, it hasn’t released any further technical information. However, Volkswagen did reveal some battery, power and performance details when it previewed the ID.2 with the ID.2all Concept, so it’s safe to assume that the same would apply to the Epiq. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Volkswagen concept boasted of two different sizes of battery – 38 and 56kWh – with the larger pack feeding a front-mounted motor producing 223bhp, enough for a 0-62mph time of around seven seconds. VW claimed a longer range of around 280 miles for the larger battery, with fast 125 kW DC charging taking the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes.

As for the Epiq name, it follows Skoda’s EV naming strategy or E for electric and Q to identify the car as an SUV. It’s another confident name from Skoda, along similar lines to the Superb, but apparently comes from the ancient Greek word ‘epos’ which means word, verse, tale or poem.

The Epiq will feature in a line-up of six new Skodas electric cars to be launched over the coming years. First to arrive will be the Skoda Elroq before the end of this year, with others including updated versions of the Enyaq hatch and coupé, a production version of 2022’s Vision 7S concept, and an even smaller model that Skoda is hoping could rival the Dacia Spring on price, at under £20,000.

Click here for our list of the best electric SUVs...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New super-cheap Skoda Kylaq is a baby SUV that’s sadly out of reach for UK buyers
Skoda Kylaq - front

New super-cheap Skoda Kylaq is a baby SUV that’s sadly out of reach for UK buyers

Made for the Indian market, the Kylaq is a Jeep Avenger rival that costs 789,000 rupees, or just £7,270
News
7 Nov 2024
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
6 Nov 2024
Electric cars don't make a profit for most brands: Skoda sales boss
Skoda Elroq - Skoda name

Electric cars don't make a profit for most brands: Skoda sales boss

Skoda head of sales and marketing states high battery costs and slow price reductions threaten EV profitability despite demand
News
17 Oct 2024
New Skoda Elroq kicks off a design shift for the Czech brand
Skoda Elroq - front white

New Skoda Elroq kicks off a design shift for the Czech brand

The new Elroq marks the start of a new breed of cars for Skoda
News
10 Oct 2024

Most Popular

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships
Opinion - Jaguar

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships

Mike Rutherford thinks it's been a difficult few months for the British car industry
Opinion
8 Dec 2024
Skoda Elroq review
Skoda Elroq - front

Skoda Elroq review

The Skoda Elroq is even more appealing than the bigger Skoda Enyaq, and just as brilliant
In-depth reviews
9 Dec 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Ford’s Capri coupe-SUV is a great fit for families at this price
Ford Capri - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Ford’s Capri coupe-SUV is a great fit for families at this price

Ford’s Capri has been revived, this time as a family-friendly coupe-SUV. It’s our Deal of the Day for 8 December
News
8 Dec 2024