Auto Express 1744

IT WASN’T long ago that Kia and Hyundai, this week’s cover stars, were the challenger brands making waves by taking on established car makers. Now they’re part of the establishment themselves, producing cars that are among the best you can buy – as their multiple award wins, not least from us, prove. More than that, in the new world of electrification we’re seeing a levelling of the playing field where buyers are finding the latest Kias and Hyundais just as appealing as models from what we would class as traditional premium brands. The combination of style, quality and tech that these cars offer is as good as – and often better than – what the posh European car makers have on sale. But now it’s the likes of Kia and Hyundai that…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy SKODA has enjoyed great success with its first bespoke EV, the Enyaq iV – and now the Czech manufacturer is showing its vision for an even bigger zero-emissions model that seats up to seven people, as well as revealing a fresh brand identity. Called Vision 7S, this new concept car previews an electric SUV that will be part of Skoda’s ambitious plan to expand its current EV range with three further models by 2026. It’s larger than the Enyaq, and is being presented in a ‘six-plus-one’ layout, with three rows of two and a baby seat mounted on top of a central ‘spine’ that runs down the centre of the cabin. The most obvious evidence of Skoda’s new brand identity comes at the front end, where the company’s design team, led by…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy THE Vision 7S marks a major shift for Skoda – in styling but also in its overall branding. Former Porsche America chief Klaus Zellmer took over at the helm of the Czech brand in July. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, he gave his thoughts on the new concept and Skoda’s wider push into EVs. Q Why does Skoda need a new design language and corporate identity? A “Skoda has always had to change ever so slightly through its 127 years. This might be a bigger change because we’re taking it to the next level on design and the logo. But we’re in the middle of the biggest transformation of this industry – more change than in the past 50 years. Also, we have to make a conscious decision to not fish in…

IT WASN’T long ago that Kia and Hyundai, this week’s cover stars, were the challenger brands making waves by taking on established car makers. Now they’re part of the establishment themselves, producing cars that are among the best you can buy – as their multiple award wins, not least from us, prove. More than that, in the new world of electrification we’re seeing a levelling of the playing field where buyers are finding the latest Kias and Hyundais just as appealing as models from what we would class as traditional premium brands. The combination of style, quality and tech that these cars offer is as good as – and often better than – what the posh European car makers have on sale. But now it’s the likes of Kia and…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy ● SUV is smallest member of Chinese manufacturer’s three-car line-up for continental Europe ● Britain will only get all-electric Atto 3, but more right-hand-drive BYD EVs are set to follow “BYD is still in ‘detailed discussions’ with a retailer group that will lead its charge into the UK market” CHINESE EV giant BYD has confirmed plans for a major expansion into Europe that includes an ambitious push to bring cars to UK customers by the end of this year. Founded as a battery maker in 1995, BYD (Build Your Dreams) took its experience in that area and used it to move into vehicle development and production. The firm has a wide portfolio of EVs on sale in its native China, and BYD has confirmed it will launch three cars in Europe that will be…

John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk @johnmcilroy SKODA has enjoyed great success with its first bespoke EV, the Enyaq iV – and now the Czech manufacturer is showing its vision for an even bigger zero-emissions model that seats up to seven people, as well as revealing a fresh brand identity. Called Vision 7S, this new concept car previews an electric SUV that will be part of Skoda’s ambitious plan to expand its current EV range with three further models by 2026. It’s larger than the Enyaq, and is being presented in a ‘six-plus-one’ layout, with three rows of two and a baby seat mounted on top of a central ‘spine’ that runs down the centre of the cabin. The most obvious evidence of Skoda’s new brand identity comes at the front end, where the company’s…