It would be hard to find a more dramatic or picturesque setting to take the wraps off a new car than the top of a mountain with views across Lake Geneva and sitting in the shadows of the mighty Mont Blanc.

And so it was that Mont Salève was the setting for the unveiling of Skoda’s new flagship model – the all-electric, seven-seater Peaq.

More than 400 media and influencers from 30 countries were transported 1,100 metres above sea level via the Salève cable car, with live streaming of the event across the globe.

Based on the Vision 7S concept car, Skoda has very high hopes for the Peaq as Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Skoda Auto, explained: “It is the manifestation of Skoda’s abilities to evolve, reach higher and play just a little more. We serve our customers to offer them even more choice and in the electric age, we created a Peaq for people who expect more from every journey.

“It has more space, more comfort, and more freedom to explore. With a sleek, timeless design with up to seven seats, it is the largest car we have ever created. The exceptional range of more than 640km is actually the longest range of all electric Skoda models. And the Peaq features our biggest interior and the most comfortable. Think of it as a lounge on wheels with premium sound by SONOS.”

The Peaq will be sold in the UK with a single battery option – an 86kWh unit which is the largest ever fitted to a Skoda model. There will be a 90 model with rear-wheel drive and 286PS or a 90X with 299PS that brings all-wheel drive to the mix. The latter can complete the 0-62mph sprint in a rapid 6.8 seconds, which is pretty sharp for a family SUV with space for seven adults.

Prices range from £51,980 to £60,380 and the car will be available in three well-equipped trims called SE-L, Edition and SportLine.

The Peaq is Skoda’s largest model and was three-and-a-half years in the making with extensive testing in the most extreme conditions. The result is a stylish family SUV that boasts excellent aerodynamic qualities which in turn results in an impressive driving range between charges of up to a combined 290 miles, increasing further in urban settings with lots of regenerative braking coming in to play.

The Peaq boasts a strikingly modern design, characterised by sleek curves, a streamlined silhouette and flush-fitting door handles, which is another first for Skoda. At the front end, the nose is dominated by the illuminated gloss black Tech-Deck face, shared with the Epiq, Elroq and Enyaq electric models. This distinctive feature incorporates slim vertical grille slats with integrated LED illumination. Buyers can also specify full LED Matrix headlights with 18 individually controlled light segments, while aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels are offered in sizes from 19 to 21 inches.

Inside, owners can choose from five Design Selections, allowing the cabin to be tailored to individual tastes. However, the standout feature is the enormous panoramic electrochromic glass roof, the largest ever fitted to a Skoda. Divided into nine sections, it enables occupants to select from three preset transparency modes or adjust the tint manually through the infotainment system, creating a bright and adaptable cabin environment.

As is the Skoda way, the cabin is both stylish and highly functional, featuring a 13.6-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system running the latest Android-based software. It offers extensive personalisation options along with access to a wide range of apps and services, including third-party favourites such as Spotify, YouTube and Google Maps. The Peaq also introduces a new digital key, allowing owners to unlock and start the vehicle using a compatible smartphone or smartwatch – a particularly useful feature for households or businesses where the car is shared between multiple drivers.

The key driving information, including speed, driving range and battery charge status, is displayed on a clear 10-inch digital instrument cluster. And customers will also be able to specify a head-up display as an optional extra from 2027.

One of the Peaq’s greatest strengths is its practicality. Measuring almost 4.9 metres in length, it offers genuine seven-seat accommodation, with enough space for seven adults to travel in comfort, even on longer journeys, something that can’t be said of every rival in this segment.

Luggage capacity is equally impressive, ranging from 299 litres with all seven seats upright to a cavernous 2,075 litres when the rear seats are folded. There’s also a 37-litre frunk, providing a convenient place to store the charging cables.

As expected from a Skoda, the Peaq is packed with Simply Clever features. But it is the brand’s first model to feature windscreen wiper blades with integrated washer nozzles, while other thoughtful touches include a fold-out table, a USB-C port integrated into the rear-view mirror, an additional USB-C socket for third-row passengers, a dedicated display cleaner, and a QR code in the boot linking to a short video explaining the luggage compartment’s practical storage solutions.

As a guide to the trims, The Peaq range opens with the well-equipped SE L, priced from £51,980. Standard equipment includes Android-based navigation, a 10-inch Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display, Qi 2 wireless smartphone charging, LED headlights, an electric tailgate with Virtual Pedal operation, heated front and rear seats, a heated windscreen and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Moving up to the Edition model, from £55,130, and it gains a more premium feel thanks to the Suite Design interior with black leather and artificial leather upholstery. It also features Matrix LED headlights, a full-width illuminated front light band, an Area View Camera system, plus advanced parking technologies including Remote Park Assist and Trained Parking.

Topping the line-up is the SportLine, priced from £58,280. It stands out with black exterior styling details, SportLine badging and Skoda lettering on the D-pillar. Inside, it gains sports seats, a heated three-spoke steering wheel and the dedicated SportLine interior design. Dynamic Chassis Control comes as standard, alongside distinctive 20-inch Okapi alloy wheels.

For those seeking even greater comfort, the optional Relax Package is well worth considering. It introduces front massage seats, a premium SONOS audio system and a practical folding table built into the front centre armrest.

The Peaq’s power comes from an 86kWh battery that supports DC rapid charging at up to 199kW, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in as little as 28 minutes under ideal conditions. The Peaq also features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, enabling the battery to power external devices such as e-bikes, camping equipment, laptops and other electrical appliances, making it particularly useful for outdoor adventures or as a mobile power source.

Skoda has come a remarkable distance since its origins in 1895, when Václav Laurin and Václav Klement established the company as a bicycle repair business. More than 130 years later, it has grown into one of the world’s oldest and most successful car manufacturers.

Cycling remains deeply woven into the brand’s heritage though, making it particularly fitting that Chris Froome OBE marked the start of his role as Skoda’s Brand Cycling Ambassador by leading a peloton up the mountain roads to the launch venue. With temperatures climbing into the mid-30s, the hour-long ascent proved a demanding challenge for most of the riders. Froome, however, made it look almost effortless.

Amid all the glitz and glamour of its world premiere, the Peaq proved it is far more than just another new electric SUV. As Skoda’s flagship model, it combines a striking design, cutting-edge technology, impressive practicality and genuine seven-seat versatility, making it a compelling addition to the brand’s expanding electric line-up.

And the last word goes to Klaus Zellmer, who we caught up with later in the evening when he explained: “It is a car that shows what we can do. It shows how aspirational we are. Many people that look at the car, they associate it with different brands other than Skoda, which is not our purpose, but it shows that we’re leaving, you know, a comfort zone of Skoda. And you know, if you want to grow your business profitably, you have to leave your comfort zone.

“And I think that car gives us lots of opportunities to grow our business.