The 2027 Skoda Peaq will debut later this year, becoming the brand’s new flagship and “in fact the largest Skoda model overall”.
Riding on the MEB dedicated electric vehicle (EV) architecture, the Skoda Peaq will take the form of a circa-5.0-metre-long all-electric seven-seat SUV, based on the 2022 Vision 7S concept.
The Peaq will be to the Kodiaq what the Elroq is to the Karoq – it’s an EV alternative to a similarly sized combustion-powered model in Skoda’s lineup.
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According to the Czech brand, the Peaq’s name reflects the model’s status in the Skoda lineup. Derived from the English word ‘peak’, it symbolises the top of the range while also continuing Skoda’s tradition of SUV names ending with the letter ‘Q’.
The production model was recently teased with shadowy images of the front and rear lighting signatures, which stay quite true to the Vision 7S design study.
Skoda is expected to unveil the Peaq after the production version of the smaller Epiq electric SUV, the latter scheduled to be revealed around mid-2026. The brand’s media release says “the Škoda Peaq will make its world debut in 2026”.
In a recent video, CEO Klaus Zellmer said the new EVs will bolster the brand’s electrification range within a portfolio that offers “freedom of choice, including highly efficient combustion models, and mild and plug-in hybrids”.
Skoda’s local division says it has its hands up for the upcoming EV models, though timing is still to be confirmed.
Outside of the all-electric range, Skoda Australia will introduce mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains for the first time this year.
Beginning with the Octavia liftback and wagon, as well as the Kodiaq SUV, the 1.5 eTSI mHEV powertrain produces the same 110kW/250Nm as the outgoing 1.4 TSI turbo-petrol engine, but drops combined fuel use in the Octavia from 6.1-6.2L/100km to 5.1-5.2L/100km – a gap that will only get larger in mostly urban conditions.
In the larger Kodiaq, the 1.5 eTSI replaces the old 2.0 TSI 4×4 drivetrain in the base Select trim level, dropping outputs from 140kW/320Nm to 110kW/250Nm and losing drive to the rear axle, but reducing combined fuel use significantly from 9.2L/100km to 6.0L/100km. The Kodiaq mHEV Select will be available with both five-seat and seven-seat configurations.
Further, Skoda’s local arm will add its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models this year in the Kodiaq and Superb.
Both will sport the 150kW version of the VW Group’s 1.5L turbocharged PHEV system which already features in the Cupra Leon Sportstourer and Terramar in Australia (albeit in higher-output 200kW guise), and will soon be rolled out to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron locally.
In addition to the extra power over the 1.5L engine with mild-hybrid tech, the PHEV’s large ~20kWh (net) battery back offers over 100km of EV driving range regardless of the model.
Last year Skoda sales fell by 4.1 per cent in Australia due to reduced volume across key model lines including the Octavia, Kamiq and Karoq.