The Tour de France is more than just a bike race. It's a spectacle, a tradition, and a showcase of the best of France and its regions. It's also a platform for innovation on two wheels and four. This year, one of the most notable features of the Tour is the car that leads the peloton: the Skoda Enyaq iV, the Czech brand's first all-electric SUV.
Skoda has been the official car partner of the Tour de France since 2004, providing mobility to the organizers, race management, teams, and VIPs. The company has a long history of supporting cycling, dating back to its origins as a bicycle manufacturer in 1895. Skoda is also the sponsor of the green jersey, awarded to the leader in the points classification.
But this year, Skoda is taking its commitment to cycling and sustainability to a new level by using the Skoda Enyaq iV as the command vehicle and mobile control center for the Tour director, Christian Prudhomme. The Skoda Enyaq iV is Skoda's flagship model, based on the Volkswagen Group's modular electrification toolkit (MEB). It offers a range of up to 536 km (333 miles) on a single charge, according to the WLTP cycle, and can be recharged up to 80% in just 38 minutes using a fast-charging station.
The Enyaq iV is also a spacious and comfortable SUV, with a generous boot capacity of 585 liters (20.6 cubic feet) and a high-quality interior that features sustainable materials such as recycled PET bottles and wool. The car is equipped with a host of advanced technologies, such as a 13-inch central touchscreen, a head-up display with augmented reality, and a range of driver assistance systems.
The Skoda Enyaq iV is not the only Skoda model that can be seen on the roads of France during the Tour. The company is also deploying around 250 vehicles from its other models, such as the Skoda Octavia, Skoda Octavia iV, Skoda Kodiaq, and Skoda Superb iV. The Skoda Octavia iV and Skoda Superb iV are plug-in hybrids that combine a petrol engine with an electric motor, offering low emissions and high performance. The Skoda Octavia is Skoda's best-selling model worldwide, while the Skoda Superb is its flagship sedan.
Skoda's involvement in the Tour de France goes beyond providing cars. The company is also a partner of the official Tour de France app, which allows cycling fans to keep up to date with the latest developments of the race in real-time. The app features a live tracker, real-time GPS tracking, stage profiles, results, standings, and more. The app is free and available for both iOS and Android devices.
Skoda is also launching a campaign called "The beautiful circus: You have to love it. We do.", which celebrates the passion and diversity of cycling culture. The ad campaign includes a series of videos that feature different aspects of the Tour de France, such as the fans, the riders, the scenery, and the history. The videos can be watched on Skoda's website or on its social media channels.
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The Tour de France began on June 26 with the Grand Départ in Brest and ended on July 18 in Paris, after covering 21 stages and more than 3,300 km (2,050 miles) across France. The race included six mountain stages, two individual time trials, and eight flat stages. The riders faced some of the most iconic climbs of cycling history, such as Mont Ventoux, Col du Portet, and Col du Tourmalet.
The Tour de France is not only a sporting event but also a cultural phenomenon that showcases the beauty and diversity of France and its regions. It is also an opportunity for Skoda to demonstrate its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and mobility. With its electric SUV leading the way, Skoda is proving that it is ready for the future of transportation.
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