Skoda’s first production model to be fitted with plug-in hybrid electric drive – the Skoda iV – has rolled off the production line at its Kvasiny plant.
It is built on the same production line as SUPERB variants that are driven solely by a combustion engine.
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Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics, said: “The beginning of serial production of the Skoda Superb iV is a major step towards the future. Over the past few months, we have rigorously made the provisions required to begin manufacturing our first plug-in hybrid at the Kvasiny plant. Today is therefore also the result of a great team effort.”
Skoda says it invested approximately EUR12m in preparing the Kvasiny site for the specific requirements of manufacturing the first electrified Skoda production model. Body production and the assembly hall, for example, have been modified so that the Superb iV plug-in hybrid can be built on the same production line as models featuring a conventional combustion engine. As the two drive variants have different floorpans, some of the equipment in the body shop had to be adapted or installed, Skoda said.
The hall used for quality control was completely remodelled: workplaces needed to be rearranged for the manufacturing and commissioning of vehicles as part of the production process. Within the production line, Skoda also installed an additional container for chassis frames as well as a manipulator for high-voltage and 12-volt batteries.
In the Superb iV a 1.4 TSI petrol engine and an electric motor deliver a combined power output of 160 kW (218 PS). The all-electric range is up to 56 km in the WLTP cycle; up to 930 km can be covered when combined with the petrol engine. The Skoda Superb iV and the new iV E-Mobility sub-brand celebrated their world premiere in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, in May 2019. The market launch is set for the beginning of 2020.
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By GlobalDataSee also: Skoda starts battery production for VW Group PHEVs
