First look at Skoda’s next-generation electric Octavia

---

Skoda has revealed a short teaser video of its upcoming ‘Vision O’ concept car, which features sleek ‘modern solid’ styling cues and a production-ready shape. 

The teaser shows the silhouette of a mid-sized wagon reminiscent of the Octavia. It features a liftback-style tailgate adorning “SKODA”-lettered badging. Skoda claims the modest design of the Vision O is a concept car that is about ‘showing up…rather than showing off’. 

Skoda’s ‘modern solid’ design language, which incorporates elements of contemporary and minimalist, prevails in the sleek, aerodynamic shape of the Vision O. The body features a sloping roofline, split rear spoiler, and sleek ‘T’ shaped rear tail-lights. 

Skoda says the Vision O will feature an EV powertrain, and will demonstrate “the future of Skoda in the estate model segment.” – perhaps ‘O’ denotes ‘Octavia’.

The design and philosophy of the Vision O match the description of a nameless Skoda model teased earlier this year. Described by Skoda as a ‘large family car’, this model also incorporates ‘modern solid’ design and ‘T’ shaped rear lights. It is unconfirmed if this car is in fact the Vision O.

The Vision O will premiere in Munich on September 8th. 

Options for affordable EV station wagons are scarce in Australia, with wagon-esque SUVs such as the Mini Countryman electric and MG S5 often filling the void. Premium options like Porsche’s Taycan 4 Cross Turismo or BMW’s i5 Touring are more ‘pure’, but come at a hefty price.

Project manager Daniel Edr claims the Skoda Vision O’s ‘functionality-first’ design drew inspiration from early Skoda Octavia models. He went on to discuss how the Vision O should embody the practical, work-focused values which surround an estate body shape. 

Exterior designer Jounggeen Kim stated that further inspiration for the Vision O’s design came from elements of the Roomster and Yeti, particularly the bumpers and B-pillar. 

Skoda revealed in a 2022 press release that three electric vehicles would soon be announced which would both incorporate ‘modern solid’ design and position below the Enyaq midsize electric in the model hierarchy. 

The Skoda Elroq small EV SUV, which was announced late last year, certainly fits this pledge, and so too should the Vision O. That means pricing should fall between $50,000 and $80,000 before on-road costs. 

We anticipate that the production model Vision O will feature similar powertrain options as the Elroq, chiefly, a lithium ion battery with a nominal capacity of around 80kWh, a WLTP range between 500-600km, and rapid 10-80 percent DC charge time of around 30 minutes.

Expect the Vision O range to span at least two models, with options of a performance dual-motor all-wheel drive or long-range single-motor rear driver. We anticipate peak power outputs to mirror the Enyaq; 210kW/545Nm for the RWD, and 250kW/679Nm for the AWD.