Škoda unveils prices and specifications for the new CITIGOe iV

A new era in Škoda history is about to begin with the arrival of the new CITIGOe iV.

The brand's first fully-electric production car will power into the UK early next year with prices starting from just £20,455 ($26,387).

Based on the multi-award winning Citigo, the new CITIGO^e iV has been completely re-engineered to incorporate a compact battery pack and efficient 61kW electric motor, and has a WLTP range of up to 170 miles on a single charge.

Designed to be the perfect vehicle for modern cities, the new CITIGO^e iV will be available in two value-packed trim grades that will be familiar to owners and buyers of the current petrol-powered model; SE and SE L. Both models feature the same battery and electric motor and offer identical levels of performance. Despite the addition of the new battery and electric motor, the CITIGO^e iV has the same generous levels of boot space as the standard model with 250 litres available with the rear seats in position and 923 litres with them folded flat.

Mounted in the chassis floor and measuring just 1.1 x 1.7m, the CITIGO^e iV's battery is a 60‑Ah lithium‑ion pack with a capacity of 36.8 kWh. It consists of a total of 168 cells and delivers a range of between 140 and 170 miles on the WLTP cycle. Both models can be charged using a domestic or workplace wall box. With a 7.2kW AC wall box, the battery can be charged to 80% in 4 hours 15 minutes, or 12 hours 37 minutes using a lower-powered 3.6kW home‑charging station. The SE L model can be charged faster using a CCS (Combined Charging System) charging cable connected to a 40kW DC fast charger. When recharging via CCS, the CITIGO^e iV's battery can be recharged to 80% in just 60 minutes. The CITIGO^eiV can also be recharged using a standard household plug socket if a wallbox is not available.

CITIGO^e iV's electric motor produces an instantaneous 210Nm of torque, which provides it with exceptional agility and acceleration. 0-62mph takes 12.5 seconds, while top speed is 81mph. As is typical with electric vehicles, the CITIGO^e iV has immediate throttle response and has a driving experience perfectly suited to the cut and thrust of urban driving.

The CITIGO^e iV line-up starts with the SE model, which is priced at £20,455 ($26,387). This figure excludes the Government Plug-in Car Grant, that currently allows buyers to receive a £3,500 ($4,515) reduction on the list price of the vehicle. SE models are equipped with climate control air conditioning, three spoke leather steering wheel and handbrake lever, plus Swing DAB radio and remote central locking.

The higher-specification SE L model is priced from £22,815 ($29,432) and adds a raft of additional equipment, including 16-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, comfort pack (heated front seats and rear parking sensors) and body coloured door mirrors and handles. The SE L model also comes with CCS charging capability that allows for rapid charging via 40kW charging stations.

Both models can be linked to the Škoda Connect app, which allows owners to check and control selected features of the car remotely. This means owners can check the charge status of the battery at all times.

CITIGO^e iV will be open for order on 10 December 2019 with first deliveries expected early next year.