Škoda brings the Vision E to Frankfurt in a slightly different suit

Its electric and autonomous driving perks are still there. Good!

After its reveal at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show back in April, Škoda brings the Vision E concept car to this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in a slightly different guise.

Compared to the one presented for the Chinese market, the European Vision E features a new set of wheels, a lively body color, slightly redesigned rear bumper, and some brighter taillights. If you’ll look closely, the Vision E badge has disappeared in this intercontinental transition of the design.

Although it’s not a bad looking car at all, Vision E’s perks aren’t immediately obvious but rather hidden in its underpinnings. This is Škoda’s first take on future mobility, reminds us of the Volkswagen Group’s mission to electrify its entire lineup by 2030.

The Vision E is powered by two electric motors making 306 horsepower combined; top speed is rated at 112 mph (180 km/h) and, although there are no figures regarding the car’s battery pack, the electric range is around 310 miles (500 kilometers) on a single charge, Škoda claims.

Moreover, the Vision E is not only the Czech manufacturer’s first EV attempt but also its first model to feature Level 3 autonomous driving — which means it can drive by itself on the highway not only by keeping its lane but also doing overtakes. It can also “independently look for free parking spaces and drive in and out of parking spaces autonomously,” Christian Strube, Škoda Board Member for Technical Development explained.

Škoda’s plans for the immediate future involve launching no less than five electric cars by 2025, with the first one to arrive in 2020.