Skoda has revealed new details about the extensive testing programme behind its upcoming flagship electric SUV, the Peaq, ahead of the model’s world premiere on June 23. The nearly 4.90-metre-long vehicle is set to become the largest model in Skoda’s all-electric range when it enters the market in mid-2026.
According to the Czech automaker, prototypes of the Skoda Peaq have covered more than 1.5 million kilometres during development. Testing took place across three continents and included some of the world’s most demanding environments, from the extreme heat of the Arizona desert to freezing conditions more than 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Alongside real-world testing, Skoda also used virtual development tools to validate the vehicle’s systems and performance.
Built on the Volkswagen Group’s new MEB+ platform, the Peaq will feature next-generation electric motors, battery packs capable of delivering more than 600 kilometres of range, and an adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) suspension system. The SUV will be offered in both five-seat and seven-seat configurations and is expected to arrive in three powertrain variants known as 60, 90 and 90x.
Largest Model in the Skoda Lineup
At nearly 4.90 metres long, 1.70 metres high and with a wheelbase of 2.97 metres, the Peaq is expected to become the largest and most spacious vehicle in Skoda’s portfolio.
The company said the long wheelbase provides generous legroom for passengers in both the second and third rows, while the seven-seat configuration also offers ample headroom. The interior will incorporate numerous “Simply Clever” features, a hallmark of Skoda vehicles.
Extreme Testing Across the Globe
Johannes Neft, Skoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development, said the Peaq has undergone one of the company’s most comprehensive testing programmes.
“The Skoda Peaq is the result of an extensive development and testing process, during which our engineers verified the functionality and durability of all key components and design elements.”
“We tested the Peaq extensively both in laboratories, including climate chambers and wind tunnels, and in real-world conditions – from the heat of the desert to freezing environments 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, where temperatures can drop to −40°C. The aim was to verify that all components function correctly and reliably even in these extreme situations.”
In desert environments, test vehicles were exposed to intense sunlight for up to 12 months to evaluate paint durability and the long-term resilience of exterior plastic components. High-temperature driving tests also placed significant demands on the braking system, suspension and battery cooling technologies.
Engineers additionally conducted thousands of kilometres of testing on gravel and rough roads to assess cabin sealing, dust protection and the durability of body panels against stone impacts.
The Peaq is expected to play a central role in Skoda’s expanding electric vehicle strategy, offering a spacious family-oriented SUV with long-range capability and advanced electric technology when it arrives in showrooms in 2026.
