Skoda's Competitor to the Kia EV9 Is Clearly Not Concealing Itself with This BMW Camouflage | Carscoops

      The prototype of Skoda's largest electric vehicle has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring, featuring BMW kidney grille-shaped cutouts in its camouflage.

      Skoda is currently evaluating its most substantial EV to date at the Nürburgring. This three-row SUV, comparable in size to the Kodiaq, is based on the Vision 7S concept unveiled in 2022. It shares the MEB platform used by the VW ID.Buzz minivan and ID.7 sedan.

      Skoda’s largest electric SUV is nearing production. This upcoming flagship model, designed to compete with the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, has been seen undergoing rigorous testing at the Nürburgring in preparation for its 2026 launch, providing a clearer view of the brand's future family vehicle.

      Although heavily camouflaged, there are notable features to observe, including the boxy proportions and Skoda’s distinctive Tech-Deck front design. The front end has sparked some conversation, as two small upright rectangles have been cut out of the camouflage, which may unintentionally evoke a BMW vibe.

      It’s possible that Skoda’s testing team is just playing with perceptions, but this isn’t the first instance where Skoda has drawn inspiration from Munich. The earlier generation of the Octavia had a front design that closely resembled BMW’s twin-kidney grille.

      From recent Skoda launches, such as the compact Epiq EV, and the official teaser images of this sizable SUV without disguise, it appears that the final grille will be a sleek black strip with some horizontal LED lighting accents. This aligns with Skoda’s new “Modern Solid” design language, which was previewed by the Vision 7S concept in 2022 and is now being implemented across the brand’s lineup.

      The teasers have also displayed notable T-shaped LED lights at both the front and back, which, along with the grille and flush door handles, will differentiate the electric seven-seater from the more traditionally styled combustion-engine Kodiaq.

      In terms of performance, this model rests on the Volkswagen Group’s advanced MEB platform, the same electric framework utilized by other VW Group EVs like the ID.Buzz, ID.4, and ID.7. The Vision 7S concept included an 89 kWh battery and a WLTP range exceeding 373 miles (600 km), and similar specs are anticipated in the production version.

      Prospective buyers can expect options for both rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations, with the latter likely offering around 335 hp (340 PS / 250 kW), providing performance comparable to that of the Enyaq vRS.