While Czech brand Skoda was once associated with affordable and practical solutions for the average family, the new era of electrification seems to be taking the brand into territory where loyal customers may feel a little neglected. With the official announcement of the name of their new flagship - Peaq - Skoda is making a bid for the top, but the price of 60,000 euros has many wondering if the brand is losing touch with reality.
Peaq is the production version of the Vision 7S concept car we saw four years ago, and while it promises seven seats and a “new level of spaciousness“, it comes with a label that traditionally belongs to the premium segment. Martin Jan from the board of directors proudly declares that this is “the top“ in their portfolio, but for the mass consumer this peak may be too steep to climb. Against the background of affordable models of the past, the idea of a Skoda that costs as much as a luxury apartment in some parts of Europe sounds more like an ambitious extravagance than a “smart” solution.
Technically speaking, the Peaq will use the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform, which puts it in the same company as models like the ID. Buzz. And while the Modern Solid design looks futuristic with its T-shaped lights and massive Tech Deck panel instead of a grille, under its skin lies technology that is no longer in its first youth. The claimed range of around 600 km and 200 kW charging sound good on paper, but in the real world, with a full load of seven passengers, these figures will probably melt faster than the snow in Mlada Boleslav.
No less skepticism is aroused by the future of the iconic Octavia, which will also be sacrificed on the altar of full electrification. The new Vision O concept hints at an electric station wagon that will share its genes with the future electric Volkswagen Golf. For fans who value the reliability of TDI engines and the simplicity of the interior, Skoda's new direction - filled with huge screens and artificial intelligence like the Laura assistant - seems like an escape from its roots. The question remains whether the Peaq is truly the pinnacle of development, or just a price spike that will distance the brand from its most loyal fans.