PRAGUE — Skoda’s Imaginative and prescient 7S idea previews the largest of three all-electric vehicles the model plans to launch by 2026.

The seven-seat crossover contains a recent design language and a brand new model identification that Skoda mentioned will higher assist differentiate it from rivals and different Volkswagen Group manufacturers.

Unveiling the Imaginative and prescient 7S right here on Tuesday, Skoda mentioned it’ll make investments an extra 5.6 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in electrical mobility and 700 million euros in digitalization over the subsequent 5 years.

“We’re considerably accelerating our e-campaign,” CEO Klaus Zellmer mentioned.

The Imaginative and prescient 7S previews a completely new Skoda mannequin that can spherical off the highest finish of the model’s product portfolio, he mentioned.

Skoda’s different two new battery-electric fashions will probably be a small automotive and a brand new compact crossover, Zellmer added.

In addition to EVs, Skoda will unveil a new-generation Very good midsize automotive and Kodiaq midsize SUV subsequent 12 months, the model mentioned.

Skoda mentioned the Imaginative and prescient 7S has a “sturdy” new design language that the model will probably be rolling out throughout all its new autos within the coming years.

The idea additionally exhibits how Skoda goals to make the operation of a contemporary electrical household automotive less complicated and extra enjoyable with the addition of haptic suggestions controls and a built-in reverse-facing child seat with a digicam feed to the primary infotainment display screen.

“Now we have refined time-proven options and courageously damaged new floor,” Skoda design boss Oliver Stefani mentioned.

The Imaginative and prescient 7S is constructed on the identical VW Group MEB all-electric platform that underpins the Czech model’s Enyaq IV full-electric SUV and VW model’s ID4 SUV.

An 89 kilowatt-hour battery provides a spread of greater than 600 km (370 miles), Skoda mentioned.

The Imaginative and prescient 7S will get a lot of the content material for the 14.6-inch rotating dashboard display screen from the motive force’s smartphone. This and Skoda’s concentrate on bettering the display screen usability is a reminder that the VW Group’s present in-house software program has been criticized for its poor consumer navigation and frequent glitches.

The smartphone is held in place on the middle console with magnets and can be utilized as a distant trackpad for the infotainment system.

Beneath the display screen are three giant rotary controls; the 2 outer dials are devoted to local weather management, whereas the center one may also management the display screen content material. It may be used to zoom out and in on the map and scroll via lists.

“Every part was designed with the goal of simplifying the consumer expertise,” Skoda mentioned.

The outside design of the Imaginative and prescient 7S, with its excessive window line “combines robustness, performance and authenticity,” Skoda mentioned.

The idea’s entrance finish reworks the present Skoda look with an higher blanked-off grille sitting above a row of  vertical vents that trace on the ribs seen within the grille on present vehicles.

A light-weight strip above the grille hyperlinks the headlights that type a T-shaped mild graphic. The T-shape is repeated within the taillights. The brand new “Tech-Deck Face” is wider and flatter than Skoda’s present front-end look.

The bumpers, wheel arch trims and decrease physique strips are constructed from recycled tires that distinction with the matte-finish physique coloration and add to the idea’s sturdy look. The ground of the inside can be constructed from the identical materials.

The inside may be configured two methods: Driving and Leisure.

“Driving” rotates the display screen vertically to put controls inside simpler attain of the motive force. Info can then be “stacked” on the display screen for higher entry.

The “Leisure” mode is meant for when the automotive is stopped, for instance throughout charging, and reclines two entrance seats and rotates them inwards in direction of the display screen. This additionally provides the rear passengers a greater view of the display screen, which might then be used to play films by way of a smartphone.

The display screen can be managed by way of the smartphone.

Interactive surfaces with coloured lights shining via the material are built-in into the door panels. For instance, blue or pink mild visualizes air-con temperature modifications. Passengers may also write on the material with their finger, to go away quick notes or for youngsters to create little drawings.

Skoda says the place of the reverse-facing child seat on the middle console is the most secure place within the automotive. An elective digicam is educated on the child to permit entrance seat occupants to observe it on the transfer.

“The inside provides a glimpse into the way forward for particular person mobility,” mentioned Johannes Neft, Skoda’s head of technical improvement.