Skoda Vision X - CNG goes hybrid

© SkodaLooks familiar, yet fresh - if the actual production car doesn't stray too far from the concept, we're in for a treat

CNG, petrol and electricity combined

By combining a 1,5-litre direct-injected TSI engine, compressed natural gas as its fuel and an electric motor (or, in fact, two of them), Skoda claims to have achieved average carbon dioxide emissions of just 89 g/km, which is impressive even for a car smaller than the compact Karoq, currently Skoda's smallest crossover. If this is a taste of thing to come from Mlada Boleslav in the following years, then bring it on! And judging by the teaser image and official sketches provided, the Vision X seems promising on the design front, too, which is notable in its own right when it comes to Skoda.

Front, rear or all

The hybrid powertrain may not be particularly powerful as it offers 130 PS of combined output, but the 250 Nm of torque it offers should be enough not just for city driving, but also trailblazing off the beaten path, should ground clearance and advance/departure angles allow it. More importantly, thanks to partial electrification the Vision X can be an all-wheel-drive vehicle with no need to physically link the rear wheels to the front-mounted engine and gearbox. In fact, depending on needs and conditions, it could be a front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive machine. However, CNG is used only in FWD and AWD modes as the rear wheels are motivated by electric motors only.

© SkodaIf Skoda, once the most modest brand in the Volkswagen Group, presents a hybrid concept before Seat does, consider yourself warned

A promise of things to come?

In line with today's tendencies, the Vision X's hybrid system is a 48V setup, allowing for improved responsiveness and more efficient charging of two small lithium-ion batteries, located under the floor underneath the driver's and front passenger's seats. And speaking of energy storage, the CNG bottles are made of lightweight yet sturdy composite and located in front of and behind the rear axle, respectively. Skoda hasn't disclosed range in methane mode yet, but claims the concept car's combined range (a petrol tank is still onboard) is 650 km, with top speed of 200 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 9,3 s. Skoda also claims that the electric rear motors are capable of producing 1000 Nm of pushing power, but since the overall figure is just a quarter of that, we suppose it's just boasting. But torque aside, let's hope the idea of a CNG-powered hybrid Skoda survives beyond this concept car. We'll give you more photos and details as they arrive when the Vision X debuts in Geneva.