Skoda PHEV arrives in dealerships July

Skoda New Zealand’s iV label and first iV model marks the brand’s entry into the era of electromobility with the first in a family of electrified vehicles, the plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) Superb iV, set to arrive here next month.

The Superb iV is available in Style and Sportline variants, priced from $72,990 plus on road costs (ORC) for the sedan Style, $76,990 plus ORC for the sedan Sportline, $75,990 plus ORC for the wagon Style and $79,990 plus ORC for the wagon Sportline.

It has 160kW combined power output and up to 62km electric range from the 13kWh capacity lithium-ion battery, the combination with its 1.4 TSI petrol engine – which delivers 115kW (and has a 50-litre petrol tank) – with the 85kW electric motor providing up to 930km range.

The Skoda iV family in New Zealand is set to include the Octavia iV – due early 2022 – the fully electric Enyaq iV in 2023, with more models to be announced during coming years.

By as early as 2025, up to 25% of all Skoda vehicles delivered worldwide are to be electrified and the CO2 emissions of the entire fleet are set to be reduced by 30% compared to 2015.

The Superb iV three driving modes to choose from.

E-mode provides zero-emission and particularly quiet driving – perfect for modern cities and low-emission zones.

Sport and Hybrid modes are the other two.

The car can accelerate to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and has a 224 km/h top speed in Sport mode.

Hybrid mode provides a combined consumption 1.5l of petrol per 100km and 14.0 to 14.5kWh per 100km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 33 to 35g/km.

To ensure pedestrians and cyclists hear an approaching Superb iV in good time, the E-noise generator creates a unique sound.

Due to the specific way in which the Superb iV functions, overpressure is created in the petrol tank when the car is driven in all-electric mode for a long time. To be able to safely open the petrol tank cap prior to refuelling, the pressure in the tank must first be released through a process known as venting. To do this, the driver simply presses a button next to the DSG gear selector.

In addition to the two power units, the traction battery and control electronics are key parts of the plug-in hybrid system. The control electronics coordinate the connection between the charging device and the battery, convert the direct current from the battery into the alternating current that drives the electric motor, and ensures that the car’s 12-volt circuit is powered.

The 37Ah high-voltage traction battery has a gross capacity of 13kWh corresponding to a net capacity of 10.4kWh. Built into the chassis floor in front of the rear axle, the lithium-ion battery stores the power required for electric drive, as well as for the heating and the Climatronic system’s compressor.

Batteries for it and other Volkswagen Group PHEVs are made in Mladá Boleslav where 25.3 million euros is invested to prepare Skoda Auto’s main plant for this task.

The Superb iV offers multiple ways to recharge the traction battery. It can be fully charged from flat in abut five to seven hours using the Mode 2 charging cable and a conventional 230v household plug socket.

While in motion, the Superb iV can charge its battery or maintain the battery level using the petrol engine. This means the desired electric range, which can be set to one of several levels using the central display, is always available to cover the ‘last mile’. Energy is also recovered from braking and coasting, particularly in drive mode B.

The Superb iV features specific new displays, providing the driver with relevant information such as energy consumption, the battery’s charge level or details on brake energy recovery.

It has the latest in infotainment and connectivity. Skoda Auto is investing two billion euros in the development of EVs and new mobility services over the next five years to support increasing global demand, with 12 million euros already put into the modification of body production and the assembly hall at the Kvasiny plant, where the Superb iV is flexibly assembled on the same production line as other variants of the flagship.