Electric Vision-O concept as successor to Octavia and Superb?

Image: Skoda

The Skoda Superb appears to be on the verge of being discontinued. According to company CEO Klaus Zellmer, declining demand for sedans and wagons, along with a comprehensive model reduction plan by parent company Volkswagen, is leading to discussions about ending this mid-range series.

The Volkswagen Group plans to reduce the number of models it offers by about 50 percent by 2035. The goal of this cost-cutting program is to operate more efficiently through greater scale effects and higher volumes for the remaining models.

Skoda currently has the largest model portfolio in its history, thanks to various propulsion technologies ranging from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles and hybrid options. CEO Zellmer said in an interview with Autocar that the focus on electric cars reduces complexity within the portfolio. “In the end, everything will be electric—there’s no doubt about that,” said the Skoda chief.

The Vision O concept introduced a year ago (article image) provides a glimpse at an upcoming electric generation of the Octavia, which is expected to appear by the end of the decade on Volkswagen Group’s new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). In terms of size, the concept falls between the current Octavia (4.7 meters long) and the larger Superb (4.9 meters). Zellmer said they are currently evaluating whether Skoda still needs a full range of models or if there is a “smart way” to cover both segments and target markets.

Although the Vision O concept was presented as an electric vehicle, Skoda is considering range-extender technology as an option, according to the report. This involves a compact internal combustion engine that is not connected to the wheels and can serve as a power generator for the battery-powered drive.

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Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.

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