What's the news?
Skoda concept cars in the past four years: the Vision C of 2014 morphed into the third-generation Superb; two years later, the Vision S went on to become the company's first-ever SUV, the Kodiaq; and, last year, we drove the Vision E, which is going to be Skoda's inaugural electric vehicle when it hits the streets some time in 2020.
Now say hello to the Vision X and, as you can see from these design sketches, this one is very close to transforming into a production reality. In fact, the Vision X is going to be the third SUV in the Czech company's line-up, a B-segment-sized contender to sit below the existing Karoq and Kodiaq lines. Skoda refers to Vision X as an urban crossover concept, and the first chance we'll have to see this newcomer will be at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show, running March 8-18.
Not only does Vision X preview the look of Skoda's baby crossover - the company often gets the production reality to look 80 or 90 per cent like the concept upon which it is based - the show car is a hybrid study, being partially powered by electricity. Skoda won't say precisely which engine is allied to the electrification equipment, nor does it reveal any figures for the vehicle. But the company's Strategy 2025 plan states that plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and all-electric (EV) models will be a big part of its business, with one-in-four vehicles that it delivers worldwide in seven years' time being either a PHEV or an EV.
While the FlexGreen-painted exterior is worth noting - mainly due to the Anthracite contrasting roof which features a full panoramic glass insert, 20-inch alloys, sharply-defined bumpers and bold side sills - it's the interior which is of most interest, as it 'defines a fundamentally new design language' for Skoda cabins. So pay attention, if you will, to the wide, contoured dashboard which features a freestanding colour display, due to be in a Skoda near you in the coming years... although it's highly unlikely that the Vision X's illuminated elements made out of cut-crystal glass are going to make it to production.
Anything else?
Just to place the Vision X into 'group' context, it will compete in the same market segment as the SEAT Arona and the forthcoming Volkswagen T-Cross, the latter of which won't go on sale with the Geneva 2016 concept's fabric roof. So there's a very strong bet the Skoda will use much of the mechanicals of those two cars, all sitting on the MQB A0 chassis.