Geneva 2011: Skoda’s Vision of its Design Future

Skoda seems to be shedding its old style language for a new bolder corporate design direction. The aim is to highlight Skoda's green line up while differentiating the brand from others in the Volkswagen group. The VisionD is the first such concept car under this new design direction, the overall effect is a simple, clean design that is to feature in all future Skoda cars.

The VisionD is quite a pretty car. The design is unobtrusive and taut. Compared to other family hatchbacks on sale in Europe, the the Czech automaker’s concept emulates a class and sophistication usually seen in more premium vehicles. The most prominent feature of the car's design is the sharper more dominant grill, one that again would not look out of place on a car two classes larger.

The main focal point of the grill is the all new emblem. The new Skoda logo and script are part of the new brand rejuvenation. As previously reported, the logo leaves behind the natural green hue for the all new "ŠKODA Green" with a chrome contour. The objective of the new design language and logo is to highlight Skoda's growing strengths internationally.

Paris Preshow: Skoda's All-Electric Octavia Green E Line

[Updated] This year's edition of the Paris show will see the VW Group's successful Skoda brand unveiling its first-ever electric-powered vehicle called the Octavia Green E Line. Skoda says it is planning to create a special test fleet of Octavias Green E Line in 2011 with the goal of obtaining additional information relevant to the further development of the electric drive.

The concept model is based on the series production Octavia Combi [estate] and is powered by an electric motor delivering a constant power of 60 kW / 80-hp and a maximum output of 85 kW / 114-hp. Peak torque of 270Nm or 199 lb-ft is available right from the start.

The pure-electric Octavia accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in twelve seconds, while the car's maximum speed is limited to 135 km/h (84mph).

Electricity for the drive motor is supplied by a 26.5 kWh battery made up of 180 lithium-ion cells, which weighs around 315 kg or 695 pounds and is located under the middle and rear parts of the floor extending partly into the luggage compartment.

Skoda claims the battery has "almost no impact" on the volume of the passenger and luggage compartments of the Octavia Combi.

At full capacity, the battery is said to offer a driving range of about 140 kilometers or 87 miles.

The concept model at the Paris show will be finished in a Pearl-white exterior color and feature a glossy black roof with integrated energy-generating photovoltaic panels.