All about the Skoda Vision X

Skoda Auto looks into the future of the automotive world at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The Czech automobile manufacturer is presenting a vehicle with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), petrol and electric drive for the first time. In addition to the further developed Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) design language, the Skoda Vision X also features a newly configured hybrid system. The particularly sustainable drive concept with a CNG/electric engine combination ensures spontaneous power delivery, increased agility and low CO₂ emissions of only 89g/km. The Vision X drives with front, rear or four-wheel drive as needed.

The internal combustion engine is a 1.5-litre TSI G-TEC four-cylinder turbocharged engine specifically designed for use with CNG. The CNG drive produces a maximum output of 96kW (130bhp) and a maximum torque of 250Nm. One CNG tank is located under the rear seat; the second behind the rear axle.

The CNG unit drives the front axle; an electric motor drives the rear axle. This is activated as needed - to engage additional power when starting (boost effect) or to improve the traction on smooth surfaces and off-road.

The capacity of the compact energy storage unit for the electric motor is sufficient to drive the concept study over a distance of up to two kilometres on electric power alone.

The Vision X is Skoda's first all-wheel drive vehicle without a cardan shaft. This has clear benefits: Lower weight automatically means less consumption. In addition, the electric motor only starts when needed. Two electric motors support the CNG drive. The four-wheel drive consists of the combustion engine equipped with one of the two electric motors - a belt-driven starter-generator and the second electric motor on the rear axle, powered by a 48V lithium-ion battery system.

Thanks to recuperation, the lithium-ion battery charges while driving: During braking and rolling, the Vision X converts kinetic energy into electrical energy and uses this energy later for driving. The maximum torque of 70Nm is available from standstill, noticeably intensifying the spontaneity when starting and the agility in short bursts of speed. The advantages of the rechargeable batteries include low weight, higher capacity and affordable price.

The study drives with front, rear or four-wheel drive as needed. The rear-wheel drive brings 1,000Nm to the road, and the model has a range of up to 650km, thanks to the additional petrol reserve tank. The system performance of the two drive units enables the Skoda Vision X to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds, with a top speed of 200km/h.