Skoda’s new Epiq crossover will be the firm’s rival to the likes of the Jeep Avenger and Hyundai Kona EV, and it will be the Czech brand’s most affordable electric model when it goes on sale in Ireland next year.
The Epiq is an electric adjunct to the existing Kamiq crossover, and is very compact, measuring just 4.1-metres in length (Skoda fans will note that’s about the same size as the lamented Yeti, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves with battery Yeti headlines just yet, eh?). In spite of the compact size, Skoda claims boot space of up to 490-litres, which would pretty easily make it one of the roomiest cars in its class.
So, you’ll get big space but not a big price. Skoda is targeting a circa €25,000 price tag in Europe, which should keep the Epiq on the sunny side of €30,000 when it arrives here (all grants and rebates being equal…).
The Epiq also kick starts a new style for Skoda. At the front, the traditional Skoda arrowhead badge has gone, replaced by the word Skoda in neat, slim letters. Speaking of slim, the grille (not that an EV really needs one) is very slim indeed, and bookended with LED headlights that appear almost to vanish into the bodywork. Below those, a front bumper with vertical Jeep-like slots (this is apparently called the ‘Tech-Deck’ face) while at the rear is a forward-leaning roof pillar for a slightly racier profile.
The Epiq is still technically a ‘design study’ but it’s reckoned to be very close to the finished product. Oliver Stefani, Skoda’s head of design, said: “Our new design language – Modern Solid – represents the next level of modernity.
Smart functionality and practicality are harmoniously balanced by attractive new looks and our sustainability approach.
The Skoda Epiq design study perfectly embodies all the key attributes of the new design language.” This new style will actually get a production debut on the all-electric Elroq, which will go on sale late this year, and which will slot between this Epiq and the bigger Enyaq in terms of size.
Inside, the cabin has been kept minimalist, but Skoda says that the two-spoke steering wheel (there is, kind of, a third spoke, but it’s not actually connected to the centre of the wheel) does retain proper physical buttons, and there are more proper buttons below the big central touchscreen.
Gear selection is now done via a column stalk, so there’s more space for vast storage areas in the centre console (including a wireless phone charging space) while in the boot there’s a false floor with a large storage space underneath. There will also be a strong emphasis on the use of recycled materials throughout both the cabin and the Epiq’s exterior.
Needless to say, the name is a play on the word Epic, but using Skoda’s now-traditional ‘Q’ ending for one of its SUV models. It will need to be pretty epic — this is an increasingly crowded EV space in the market, and the Epic will have to deal with internal competition from VW (which is working towards a launch of a similarly-sized electric crossover, based on the ID2) and Cupra (which has already shown its Raval compact EV).
The Epiq will be built alongside those two cars, at VW Group’s factory in Pamplona in Spain.
Skoda’s chief executive, Klaus Zellmer said: "The coming Skoda Epiq will package a lot of car for an attractive price and a big interior with a compact size.
"Our customers want choices, which is why we are expanding our growing e-mobility portfolio into this popular segment. I hope these first design teasers demonstrate that the Epiq will shine because of its modern design, everyday range and user-friendly technologies - all of it affordable."
