The smallest electric in Skoda’s stable is just months away from production start.

MORE information has released about the smallest electric car Skoda intends to deliver from later this year, but it’s still not clear if New Zealand is part of the programme.

Passing mention of the Epiq compact sports utility came during a Skoda NZ presentation to media last week, but it avoided making any promises about the type’s potential availability.

Those thoughts will likely be high in the local outfit’s mindset, nonetheless, as the new car is set to reveal fully later this year and even now is being sampled by UK, Irish and European journalists. The lightly disguised examples seen here today are subject of their content.

For now, Skoda NZ is focussing on the Elroq and updated Enyaq, which it revealed nationally last week, but it has always made clear that its electric vehicle ambitions will not always rest on those two products.

For instance, it recently confirmed it is giving serious considering to the Peaq, a seven seater fully electric equivalent of the Kodiaq.

Peaq is set for production in 2027; Epiq’s roll out is set to begin around August.

Built on the Volkswagen Group's ‘MEB plus' platform, which underpins a new range of smaller, more affordable electric vehicles - including the Volkswagen ID. Polo - Epiq is similar in size to the Skoda Kamiq.

It adopts the same 'Modern Solid' design language that applies now to facelift Enyaq and also features on Elroq, and prioritises interior space while offering a more affordable price point for electric vehicle ownership.

In NZ, the current price leader is Elroq, which begins at $69,000.

The Epiq is very much cut out as a city adventurer in its base and medium level specifications, but gets a zestier powertrain with much superior range in its top format. All versions are single motor, with that unit running the front wheels. But Skoda makes clear this is very much an 'SUV' aimed at purely on-road driving.

The Epiq 35 and Epiq 40 run lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries of 38.5kWh capacity (37kWh net). The ’35' runs a 85kW/267Nm motor and the ’40’ has 99kW/267Nm, but both have a top speed of 150kmh and range of 315km.

The Epiq 55 flagship runs a 55kWh (51.7kWh net) nickel manganese cobalt NMC battery, has a range of 430km and is 10kmh faster. Max power and torque are 155kW and 290Nm respectively.

Fast charging is highlighted as plus points; the LFP battery will recharge from 0-80 percent in 28 minutes, the NMC unit achieves this in 23. All three variants can be charged with 11 kW AC power, while DC charging is available at up to 50, 90 and 133 kW, depending on the variant.

Towing might not be high on many buyers' agendas in this class, but the Epiq 35 and Epiq 40 have a 500kg towing limit while the 55 is rated to tow 750kg unbraked and up to 1200kg braked.

The black band element of the 'Tech Deck' face houses a front-facing camera and other driver assistance tech. Thinner T-shaped LED daytime running lights give it a distinctive appearance, while the main headlight units (all LED) are located beneath in a hockey-stick-shaped housing.

The eight-slot lower bumper section houses an active shutter system that opens and closes as cooling is required, while the front bumper features discreet diagonal air curtains that are said to enhance the car's aerodynamic profile.

A large C-pillar features the Skoda wordmark along its base.

The rear very much mimics the front with a T-shaped lighting setup and a repeat of the eight-slot vent design in the lower portion of the bumper.

Depending on the version, wheel sizes range from 17 to 19 inches in diameter.

Skoda says the rear axle design allows for a much deeper boot cavity, boosting carrying capacity. And it has a flat floor across the rear passenger compartment.

Like Enyaq and Elroq, Epiq is equipped with a 5.3-inch digital instrument display in front of the driver, but there’s no head-up display. Mounted up high on the centre of the dashboard is a 13-inch touchscreen, running Skoda infotainment system an supporting wireless smartphone mirroring with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

A wireless charging pad is located in the centre console, and USB-C charging ports avail front and rear.

The Epiq will be available with LED matrix headlights and 'Travel Assist 3.0', the most advanced set of driver assistance systems yet to be offered in a Skoda.

You also still get an umbrella stowed in the front door - a signature Skoda feature.

Overseas comment is that being a compact crossover won’t keep two adults from being able to fit in the rear in relative comfort. The Epiq's roof doesn't slope down too much, so rear headroom remains good, at least for those of average height.

Epiq has 475 litres of boot space and the rear seats have a 60:40 split and can fold down, boosting cargo capacity to 1344 litres.

As standard, there is no 'frunk', but Skoda will offer an optional accessory that can be installed to provide 18 litres of additional storage under the bonnet. Sadly, a neat stowage feature for Elroq - a cargo net under the parcel shelf that can be used to hold the car's charging cables - doesn’t go into Epiq.