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Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer has confirmed that hot vRS models are very much still on the agenda in the firm\u2019s all-electric era, and that could mean a hot version of the brand\u2019s upcoming baby EV.<\/p>\n
Auto Express caught up with Zellmer at the recent Munich Motor Show, which was used by Volkswagen to unveil its own vision of future hot hatchbacks, the ID. GTI Concept.<\/p>\n
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New Skoda Elroq vRS to lead performance brand into all-electric era<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAsked if he fancied a Skoda vRS version of what will become the ID.2 GTI, Zellmer told us, \u201cYes, of course we are contemplating doing that, actually in all our model lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the technology is good enough to call it an RS [the vRS badge is only used in the UK, where Ford has the rights to the RS nameplate], then there\u2019s a high likelihood of us bringing an RS version.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auto Express understands that Skoda\u2019s version of the ID.2, using the VW Group\u2019s MEB Entry \u2013 or A0 \u2013 platform, is more likely to take the form of a compact crossover, as previewed by a digital sculpture revealed earlier this year. Our exclusive rendering shows how that could translate into a hot version, expected to wear the famed vRS badge in the UK.<\/p>\n
Key to any new vRS models is having the right attributes to win over hot hatch fans. \u201cIt\u2019s important to stay truthful and credible to bring an RS,\u201d said Zellmer. \u201cThe RS is a sub-brand, which comes with a little bit more power, a little bit sharper in terms of its appearance, different interior.\u201d<\/p>\n
VW hasn\u2019t revealed any technical data for its ID. GTI Concept, other than it will definitely be front-wheel drive only, using an electric motor under the bonnet, and any Skoda version would have to follow this layout. It would share the same footprint as the hot VW, too, meaning a length of around 4.1 metres.<\/p>\n
The as-yet-unnamed small Skoda is due in late 2025 at roughly the same time as its stablemates \u2013 the ID.2 and Cupra\u2019s UrbanRebel. \u201cOur value-for-money car will be the A0 battery-electric vehicle, which will be in the market in 2025,\u201d said Zellmer. \u201cThe price range is around 25,000 Euros (\u00a322,000).\u201d<\/p>\n
The new small Skoda will be built alongside its VW and Cupra siblings at the VW Group factory in Martorell, just outside Barcelona, Spain, and will benefit from a new development process that is aimed at shortening development times to get closer to those of Chinese car makers. VW\u2019s Head of Technical Development, Kai Gr\u00fcnitz, told us at the Munich Motor Show: \u201cUsually we have a 54-month development process and the Chinese competitors do it in 38 to 32 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe decided on three pilot projects with a development process of about 36 months \u2013 one of them is the ID. 2. We started in late December with sketches and it\u2019ll come to the road late in 2025 or early in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zellmer also revealed more on how Skoda is working with VW to produce an even cheaper EV that could replace Skoda\u2019s Fabia supermini, although it definitely won\u2019t take the Fabia nameplate, the Czech brand\u2019s boss implied. \u201cWe have different names for our electric cars,\u201d he told us. \u201cThe name starts with an e, like Enyaq and Elroq.\u201d<\/p>\n
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However, it\u2019s Fabia buyers that Skoda needs to aim for with this new budget model. \u201cWhat I\u2019m talking about is a car like Fabia starting below 20,000 Euros (\u00a317,400) \u2013 that\u2019s what we need to cater for.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could come up with a car at 15,000 Euros (\u00a313,000) and it could be electrified, but that\u2019s not what we\u2019re after. We want people that are looking for an entry-level car that provides the space, the safety, the quality, the comfort, the sustainability, all of this that they know from Skoda.<\/p>\n
\u201cValue for money belongs to Skoda \u2013 it\u2019s our DNA. We always need to be aware of that because this is where we come from. I would never neglect that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have time with technology evolving, with scaling effects happening with our cost structures to then come up with a proposal where the quality, the design, reliability and everything is then incorporated into a car that will be below 20,000 Euros (\u00a317,400). And we\u2019ll see it in the second half of the decade.\u201d<\/p>\n
Click here for our list of the best electric cars on sale…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"