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On May 19, Škoda presented its most affordable electric car, the Epiq, to the world. The official presentation was attended by Lithuanian racer Vaidotas Žala and Gabrielė Martirosian. After seeing the new model live, they concluded that electric cars are characterized by increasingly better everyday driving qualities, and the new model from the Czech manufacturer can already compete in price with alternatives powered by internal combustion engines.
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What caught V. Žala’s attention?
After the car presentation event, Škoda ambassadors in Lithuania, V. Žala and G. Martirosian, shared their personal impressions of the new model.
The Epiq is the most affordable Škoda electric car, but you don’t feel that at all inside. Sometimes I don’t understand where they manage to pull that quality from. Also, it doesn’t feel like you’re sitting in the smallest model. Škoda cars are always known for their spaciousness, and this is clearly visible here,” V. Žala described his first impressions.
The 4.171-meter-long car stands out for its space due to a new layout. Built on the MEB+ platform, the model is the first Škoda electric car with front-wheel drive (all other electric models had their main motors on the rear axle).
Placing all the main components at the front allowed better use of the body. The biggest advantage is the 475-liter trunk, which is 75 liters larger than the 7 centimeters longer internal combustion engine model Kamiq.
Lighter weight – more fun car
V. Žala positively evaluated such engineering solutions and the return to front-wheel drive. However, he was also impressed by the engineers’ ability to maintain optimal weight in the new Škoda model.
“For me, the biggest argument for the new layout is the car’s weight. The Epiq weighs one and a half tons, which means we are approaching the figures of internal combustion engine cars. Heavy weight was one of the drawbacks of electric cars, manifesting in inertia and poorer handling,” explained V. Žala.
He not only inspected but also drove the Epiq. True, it was a prototype on the streets of Lisbon, Portugal, but he says its driving characteristics pleasantly surprised him.
“In the city, the light weight is very noticeable, and this model with the most powerful motor is a real city bee – very dynamic and fun to drive,” added the well-known racer.
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Numbers don’t tell everything
The most powerful Epiq version has a 211 HP motor that drives the front axle. The city electric car reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. The fact that technical data and numbers about the car don’t tell everything was agreed upon by G. Martirosian, who has been driving Škoda electric cars for several years.
“Over the years spent with Škoda electric cars, I realized that the most important thing is not just the technical numbers but the feeling the car gives in everyday life. The new Epiq seems to me like a very modern city car – compact, minimalist, yet surprisingly spacious and practical. I am also very impressed that Škoda is making electric mobility increasingly accessible to people who want a modern car without compromises for everyday comfort,” shared G. Martirosian her impressions from the presentation.
In turn, V. Žala did not hide that he is amazed by the progress of electric cars. According to him, electric drive works better in everyday driving conditions, runs smoother, silently, and the drawbacks rapidly decrease with each new model. The weight of new electric cars is becoming more similar to that of internal combustion engine cars of the same class, and the price gap is minimized.
“Electric cars have always been more expensive than internal combustion engine models, and 5–10 years ago, even significantly more expensive. We wouldn’t have thought that pricing would turn around like this. I think this will have a big impact on transport electrification. I have no doubt that the Epiq will be the most popular Škoda electric car,” summarized V. Žala.
What did the manufacturer reveal?
The Epiq is a completely new, smallest electric car in the Czech brand’s lineup. Its starting price will be the same as the similarly sized internal combustion engine Škoda Kamiq crossover, but due to the new MEB+ platform and front-wheel drive, the electric car is more spacious. It will be offered with 37 or 52 kWh battery packs, allowing up to 440 km on a single charge.
The small city car will feature technologies previously seen only in higher-class models: the Epiq can be equipped with the third-generation Travel Assist system, which can control the car itself even on traffic light-controlled streets. Alongside it are a dozen other modern safety and driver assistance technologies, matrix LED headlights. The 13-inch touchscreen features a new Android-based infotainment system.
Škoda revealed these key facts during a special Epiq presentation event held at the Umwelt Arena center in Zurich, Switzerland. Later, the new models were unveiled and displayed at the World Ice Hockey Championship arenas in Zurich and Fribourg.
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