New Skoda Epiq: modern with range

The National Times - New Skoda Epiq: modern with range

Skoda’s Epiq is the first series‑production vehicle to fully adopt the brand’s new Modern Solid design language. Previewed as a show car in September 2025, the compact city SUV rides on Volkswagen’s MEB Entry platform and measures around 4.1 metres in length. Despite its small footprint, it seats five and provides a generous 475‑litre boot. Skoda aims to offer an affordable electric alternative to its conventional Kamiq with a targeted starting price of about €25,000. Production is slated to begin in Navarra, Spain, with sales expected in late 2026.

Different battery sizes (around 38 kWh to 56 kWh) will deliver a WLTP range of up to 425 km. The platform is shared with the upcoming VW ID.Polo and Cupra Raval, ensuring competitive efficiency and low running costs. Externally, the Epiq is defined by its Tech‑Deck face with T‑shaped LED daytime running lights and a pronounced tornado line along the flanks. Cashmere matte paintwork combines with black accents to convey robustness.

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Inside, Skoda follows a “Mobile First” philosophy with a minimalist dashboard, wireless charging and physical buttons. Clever details include bag hooks, straps and underfloor storage. The Epiq’s mixture of accessible pricing, practical range and generous space positions it as a gateway EV for urban families and first‑time electric buyers. The model underscores the brand’s commitment to sustainable mobility by using recycled materials while showing how Modern Solid will shape future Skoda vehicles.

Small, efficient and revolutionary: The IPOP electric car from Alsace

In early May 2026, the French start‑up IPOP Automobiles unveiled a prototype of its mini electric car at the National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse. Nicknamed IPOP, the vehicle breaks with conventions: instead of a central motor, each wheel houses its own electric motor. The company promises that nearly all components are manufactured in France, with battery cells from China being the only exception.Visually, the IPOP resembles a hybrid of a beach buggy and a golf cart. It can be configured as a two‑ or four‑seat vehicle, with open or enclosed bodywork, and with either two‑ or four‑wheel drive. Inventor Christophe Winkelmuller believes that wheel‑hub motors are the next big leap in vehicle electrification, comparable to the battery revolution of the past decade. By eliminating bulky drivetrains, the wheel motors are intended to save space and increase efficiency.

Toyota bZ7: Luxury EVs in China

The Toyota bZ7 is shaking up China’s electric luxury car segment. Developed jointly by Toyota and GAC, the five‑meter sedan is built exclusively for the Chinese market and measures roughly 5,130 mm long and 1,965 mm wide, similar to a Tesla Model S. Pricing starts at about 147,800 yuan (approximately US$21,500) and runs up to 199,800 yuan across five trim levels.The bZ7 showcases cutting‑edge technology. Its cockpit features Huawei’s HarmonyOS 5.0 interface on a 15.6‑inch touchscreen, complemented by an 8.8‑inch digital cluster and a 27‑inch head‑up display. Voice control recognizes multiple zones and commands, yet physical buttons remain for key functions. Momenta provides the R6 ADAS suite, combining LiDAR and 26 other sensors to deliver highway and urban navigation on autopilot plus automated parking without subscription fees.Passengers enjoy ventilated, heated and massaging seats, while the front seats use a zero‑gravity design for comfort. Dual‑chamber air suspension and a road‑preview system give a refined ride.

The National Times - New Skoda Epiq: modern with range