Skoda launches new sub-brand for electric vehicles

Skoda has launched a new iV sub-brand which will concentrate on their electric and hybrid vehicles. The sub-brand consists of the Citigo iV and the Superb iV.

Skoda says that the 'V' in iV stands for 'vehicle' and claims that the cars will be intuitive and easy to operate. By 2025, the company estimates 25% of total sales to consist of electrified vehicles. In 2020, the company expects to launch two electric models based on Volkswagen's MEB platform and one of those cars could be a production version of the VISION iV SUV coupe. By 2022, Skoda expects to have more than 10 electrified cars under the iV sub-brand.

The Citigo iV is Skoda's first all-electric model. It will come with a 36.8‑kWh Lithium‑ion battery and an electric motor rated at 82 BHP and 210 Nm of torque. Skoda claims a 0-100 km/h time of 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 130 km/h. The range is said to be 265 km. Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2019.

The Superb iV is Skoda's first plug-in hybrid. It will be powered by a 1.4-liter TSi engine producing 154 BHP and an 85 kW electric motor. The total output is 215 BHP. It has a 13 kWh battery in the boot which the company claims offers 55 km of electric-only range. The car is claimed to meet Euro 6d emission norms with CO2 emissions below 40 g/km. A 6-speed DSG gearbox comes as standard.