TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s stressed government bond market and soaring stocks are set for more volatility on Monday after the resignation of fiscal hawk Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Yields on super-long Japanese government bonds (JGBs) have already been hovering near record highs due to global concerns about fiscal deficits and domestic political pressure on Ishiba. Japan’s Nikkei share gauge has recently slipped from last month’s record high.
Attention now focuses on potential successors for Ishiba and a potential return to the “Abenomics” policies of the late Shinzo Abe, Japan’s long-time leader who presided over massive fiscal stimulus and unprecedented monetary easing from the central bank.
“A knee-jerk reaction of the markets would be a bear-steepening of JGBs, weaker yen and mildly higher stock prices as they see higher risks of an Abenomics-like reflationary policy,” said Naka Matsuzawa, chief macro strategist at Nomura Securities in Tokyo.
Ishiba’s relatively conservative fiscal stance has been seen as a positive for the JGB market, where yields are still relatively low globally, but concerns about Japan’s massive debt pile and widening fiscal deficits remain concerns.
The country’s outstanding debt is nearly 250% the size of its gross domestic product, the highest in the developed world. Japan’s budget requests for the next fiscal year amounted to a record for the third straight year, the finance ministry said last week.
“Yields on super-long bonds will likely rise from Ishiba’s resignation,” said Katsutoshi Inadome, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management. “There has been an upward pressure on super-long bond yields due to uncertainties about fiscal conditions, and the pressure will increase.”
The 30-year JGB yield last week jumped to an unprecedented 3.285%, while the 20-year yield hit 2.69%, the highest since 1999. The surge in yields spells ever higher borrowing costs for the government, corporations and the public.
The JGB market was dealt a blow in mid-July when Ishiba’s coalition suffered a considerable defeat in upper house elections. Outsider parties campaigning on tax cuts and increased spending gained seats, and speculation has swirled for weeks about pressure within Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for him to resign.
That all came to a head on Sunday, with Ishiba saying that he must take responsibility for election losses and instructing the LDP to hold an emergency leadership vote.
Among top contenders in the LDP leadership race is Sanae Takaichi, who has advocated for the central bank to maintain ultra-low interest rates to support the economic recovery.
“If Sanae Takaichi is going to be the successor, that’s positive for the stock market as she wants to boost government spending,” said Takamasa Ikeda, senior portfolio manager at GCI Asset Management in Tokyo.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei share index hit a record high of 43,876.42 on August 19, riding a wave of optimism for corporate governance reforms and investment in artificial intelligence. It closed at 43,018.75 on Friday and analysts in a Reuters poll see the index easing off that level to 42,000 by year-end.
The Bank of Japan is on a gradual path to normalise interest rates and reduce its holdings of JGBs after last year ending a decade of unconventional stimulus. That trajectory, particularly in upcoming meetings of the BOJ, could be upset by Ishiba’s departure, said Rong Ren Goh, a Singapore-based portfolio manager for Eastspring Investments.
“Market participants appear more concerned about the BOJ falling behind the curve, so are likely to focus on the coming two policy meetings in September and October to set the tone for JGBs and the yen,” Goh said.
(Reporting by Junko Fujita, Rae Wee. Ankur Banerjee; Writing by Rocky Swift; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Most powerful production 911 with 701 hp (523 kW) system output’
0 to 60 mph in 2.4 s. (-0.2 s. vs. previous Coupe using Launch Control)
Circa 14 seconds quicker around the Nürburgring than the predecessor
Unique combination of performance, comfort, exclusivity, and daily usability
First 911 Turbo using innovative T-Hybrid drivetrain with two electric exhaust gas turbochargers
Atlanta. The new Porsche 911 Turbo S has big shoes to fill. Its predecessor was already considered the benchmark for a sports car that blends performance, long-distance comfort, exclusivity and everyday usability. Now the 911 Turbo S raises the bar once again. Available as a coupe and Cabriolet, the new generation debuts with significantly improved performance, a more muscular design, refined aerodynamics, an optimized chassis and an extensive list of optional equipment for personalization.
“The 911 Turbo S is the most complete and versatile way to drive a Porsche 911. Whether in daily use, on long highway trips or on the track – we have been able to make the new 911 Turbo S even more comfortable, more customizable and at the same time significantly faster than its predecessor,” says Frank Moser, Vice President of the 911 and 718 model lines.
Innovative twin-turbo T-Hybrid powertrain
The newly developed, high-performance T-Hybrid powertrain achieves a system output of 701 hp (523 kW), a 61-hp increase over the previous model. This makes the new 911 Turbo S the most powerful production 911 to date. The maximum torque of the powertrain is 590 lb.-ft. and is available over an extremely wide range of 2,300 to 6,000 rpm. Peak horsepower is available across an especially broad powerband between 6,500 and 7,000 rpm.
The T-Hybrid technology, which first appeared last year in the current 911 Carrera GTS, has been developed further for the 911 Turbo S. While a single electric exhaust gas turbocharger (eTurbo) is integrated into the T-Hybrid system in the GTS, two eTurbos are used in the new 911 Turbo S. The turbines and compressors were specifically designed to meet the requirements of the top-of-the-range model. The two eTurbos not only contribute to the considerable increase in power, but they also improve responsiveness.
The particularly compact, 1.9-kWh high-voltage battery is the same as the energy storage unit in the 911 Carrera GTS. An eight-speed PDK with an integrated electric motor sends power to the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system. The Turbo S Coupe is capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in 2.4 seconds (-0.2 seconds compared to its predecessor). It takes 8.4 seconds to reach approximately 124 mph, which is an improvement of 0.5 seconds. The top track speed of the new 911 Turbo S is 200 mph.
Significantly quicker around the Nürburgring Nordschleife
The new 911 Turbo S has a curb weight of 3,829 lbs., which is a 180-lb. increase from its predecessor, but a modest one considering the additional components of the performance hybrid system. The additional weight is more than compensated for in all areas relevant to driving dynamics. The best proof of this is the lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. As part of the final development drives conducted in fall of 2024, a lightly camouflaged 911 Turbo S achieved a time of 7:03.92 minutes under the supervision of a notary – in the region of 14 seconds quicker than its predecessor.
“You don’t feel the weight gain. On the contrary – the car is much more agile, has more grip and is significantly faster than its predecessor in all relevant sections of the track,” says Porsche Brand Ambassador Jörg Bergmeister, who was involved in the development and testing of the new 911 Turbo S and set the official lap time.
Brakes and tires with optimized performance
The new Porsche 911 Turbo S improves in many areas to match its more potent powertrain. This includes a new generation of tires that offer significantly improved dry handling while maintaining good wet performance. The rear tires now measure 325/30 ZR 21, making them 10 mm wider than those of the previous car. Dimensions for the front tires remain the same as before at 255/35 ZR 20. The standard Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) system is fitted with new brake pads, the material mixture of which comes from motorsport and is designed with the increased power and associated braking demands in mind. The new pads are useful from both a performance standpoint and in offering improved brake pedal feel. The front brake rotors have a 420-mm diameter as before, while the rear rotors grow to a diameter of 410 mm, which is a 20-mm increase compared to the rear rotors of the previous 911 Turbo S. This means that the new model is equipped with the largest PCCB system that Porsche has ever installed in a two-door model.
Intelligent active aerodynamics
An updated design optimizes cooling for both the powertrain and brakes while delivering enhanced aerodynamics. Active, vertically arranged cooling air flaps in the front of the vehicle and an active front diffuser work in conjunction with an active front spoiler and an extendable, tilting rear wing to reduce drag or lift as the scenario demands. As a result, the drag coefficient of the 911 Turbo S Coupé is reduced by up to 10 percent compared to its predecessor in the most efficient position. In addition, the active aerodynamics aim to improve wet braking behavior: In wet mode, the cooling flaps in the front close to help protect the front brake rotors from excessive water spray.
Chassis for improved agility and stability
An electro-hydraulically controlled Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (ehPDCC) system is included as standard equipment. The system, also available as an option on the the 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid, uses the 400-volt electrical system and high-voltage battery to operate. It reduces body roll when changing direction and increases agility when entering and exiting corners, actuating more quickly than the hydraulic PDCC system used in the previous 911 Turbo S. The system works with cross-connected active coupling rods, in which pressure is built up by oil volume flow depending on the driving situation. This improves comfort and agility at the same time. For enhanced everyday usability, an optional front axle lift is available as an option. Because it uses the same 400-volt system as the ehPDCC system it can lift the front end faster than the system associated with prior models. Continuing in the footsteps of previous 911 Turbo models, front and rear track widths are greater for the Turbo S than the contemporary 911 Carrera models.
A new Sport Exhaust System is included as standard equipment and features a muffler and exhaust tips made of titanium, which save weight while enhancing both aesthetics and sound of the car. Changes to the 3.6-liter boxer engine, which uses asymmetrical timing, result in a sharp, throaty sound.
Exclusive appearance and high-quality materials
With the new 911 Turbo S, Porsche continues the styling strategy already in place on Turbo models from other product lines. Numerous contrasting elements are designed in Turbonite, a color reserved for Turbo variants. These include the Porsche crest and the “turbo S” lettering at the rear. In addition, Turbonite accents in the slats of the engine grille and around the windows differentiate the range-topping model. The selection of wheels for the 911 Turbo S also includes new center lock designs in Turbonite.
As is typical for a 911 Turbo model, the body is wider than on the current 911 Carrera models. The rear quarter panels also feature intakes that channel process air to the engine. On the redesigned rear fascia, striking ventilation openings additionally emphasize the width. Oval shaped titanium exhaust openings are available as an option.
The interior also features many accents in Turbonite including the door panels, steering wheel, dashboard and center console surrounds. The instrument cluster, and Sport Chrono stopwatch get the same treatment, along with deviated stitching in Turbonite. The seat belts and several buttons in the center console are also finished in this color. Carbon fiber trim inserts with integrated Neodyme accents create a sporty and especially premium looking interior along with a perforated black Race-Tex headliner.
The 911 Turbo S coupe is delivered as a two-seater as standard, but rear seats are optionally available at no additional charge. The Cabriolet is only offered in a 2+2 seat configuration. Porsche equips the new 911 Turbo S with HD Matrix Design LED headlights as standard. The Sport Chrono Package including tire temperature gauge, the specifically tuned Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) chassis, the ehPDCC system, and the titanium Sport Exhaust System are also standard equipment. In the interior, adaptive 18-way Sport Seats Plus with memory function and “Turbo S” lettering on the headrests are fitted as standard. The Turbo S-specific embossing on the seat surfaces and door panels is a reinterpretation of the design features of the original 911 Turbo.
Wide range of options
Additional customization is possible through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur including Turbo Exclusive Design wheels with carbon fiber blades painted in Neodyme, a lightweight roof in visible carbon fiber, Exclusive Design rear lights and air intakes in the rear side section trimmed in carbon fiber. The attention to detail is more extensive than ever before. For example, carbon fiber windshield wiper arms are available as an option for the first time, offering 50 percent weight savings over the standard component. As in the past, customers may choose from colors beyond the standard palette through the Paint to Sample program. The interior can also be enhanced with details such as decorative stitching in contrasting colors, personalized leather embossing, and personalized painted vehicle keys.
The 911 Turbo S for the wrist
The Porsche Design watch configurator offers the possibility of designing your personal “sports car for the wrist” – tailored to your 911 Turbo S down to the last detail. The new black dial with design elements in Turbonite reflects its relationship to the car it references. In addition to Turbonite, all exterior colors (including Paint to Sample colors) are available for the color ring around the dial, while the titanium case features a black titanium carbide coating. The strap is made of original Porsche vehicle leather and stitching thread. A highlight is the hot stamping with the lettering “turbo S”. The timepiece is powered by the COSC-certified Porsche Design caliber WERK 01.200 movement, which features a flyback complication. The individually selectable winding rotor is designed to look like the wheels of the car it is matched to. Caseback engraving is also available. The 911 Turbo S chronograph is made by hand in Porsche’s own watch manufactory in Grenchen, Switzerland.
U.S. market arrival and pricing
The new 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S is available to order and carries an MSRP of $270,300 for the coupe and $284,300 for the Cabriolet. Prices exclude a $2,350 fee for delivery, processing and handling. Arrival in U.S. Porsche Centers is expected by Spring, 2026. The Total Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) shown excludes taxes, title, registration, other optional or regionally required equipment, dealer charges, and any potential tariffs.
Further information, film and photo material in the Porsche Cars North America Newsroom: newsroom.porsche.us
Speaking today at a briefing held in Monte Carlo at the Rendez-vous event, Angela Yeo, Senior Director, Analytics at global ratings agency AM Best has highlighted how investors’ appetite for catastrophe bonds has helped the space continue to grow.
With third-party capital deployed in reinsurance anticipated to grow by almost 7% this year, with AM Best and Guy Carpenter projecting it to end the year at a new high of $114 billion, Yeo explained how a lot of this growth boils down to the substantial growth that’s been seen within the catastrophe bond market in 2025.
“In the first half of 2025 we’ve already seen record issuances reaching nearly $17 billion, which has already surpassed full year 2024 issuances. And we think that it is quite realistic to expect the year ending in about $19 to $20 billion,” Yeo explained.
“The total outstanding bond amounts is about $53 billion year to date, which is both a record in itself, but it is also now clearly the biggest sub segment under ILS.”
According to Artemis’ data, total cat bond and related ILS issuance in just the first six months of 2025 almost broke the annual record set in 2024 of $17.7 billion, while new annual records were set for 144A property cat bond and total 144A cat bond and related ILS issuance.
However, the total cat bond issuance record was broken soon after July 1st and at $18.4 billion at the time of writing, according to Artemis’ data, is on track to hit and exceed the $20 billion mark.
Yeo continued: “So, the next biggest sub segment is collateralized reinsurance, which could range between $46 and $50 billion without estimates. It is very difficult to know the exact figures as a lot of these deals are private.”
Yeo also highlighted how cat bond sponsor diversification has shifted throughout 2025, particularly regarding small-to medium-sized US domestic insurers, which has seen their market share increase from 21.2% in 2024 to 35.2% in 2025.
“So, what are the factors for cat bond growth? Well, investors just love them. The risk attachment is remote very much within the upper layers, the perils are very well defined. They are performing strongly and they’re still attractive, not correlated, typically, with other broader capital markets,” Yeo commented.
Adding: “The collateral yields themselves may be low in 2025 due to some of the actions taken by central banks. However, they’re still opposed to 2021 levels. So, we have seen good evidence that supply is still up in all disasters from investors.”
Later on, AM Best also highlighted how casualty securitization has continued to see steady growth across the ILS market.
“There’s different risks being securitized, so there’s a lot of movement in the market, and we’re watching that very carefully,” Yeo added.
She continued: “I think one of the attractions of cat bonds has been that they are relatively short term, and to securitize a more long-term risk is something that in the past people had doubts about it, but we have seen first steps towards that development. So, I think we will see more of that.”
Further adding to this, Greg Carter, Managing Director, Analytics, EMEA & Asia Pacific, explained how the industry appears to moving towards a point where casualty securitization is perhaps becoming more of a receptive instrument for investors.
“I think the non nat cat space is seeing growth, and there’s a lot of interest, but I think it’s that long tail nature. And if you look at the kind of risks that suit ILS structures, it’s those risks that can be modeled reasonably accurately. Catastrophe buffer fits that well, I think casualty fits it less well, but there’s a lot of work ongoing, and we are reaching the critical mass where it becomes a more receptive instrument for investors,” Carter explained.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Israel’s Foreign Minister branded a recent international push to recognise Palestinian statehood a “mistake” on Sunday (September 7, 2025) and warned it could trigger an unspecified unilateral response, after reports that Israel plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
Several countries, including France and Britain, have pledged to recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly later this month.
Israel’s relations with France have been particularly strained since President Emmanuel Macron announced his country’s plans and and co-hosted a conference in July with Saudi Arabia to call for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Britain said it would recognise a Palestinian state if Israel failed to agree to a truce in the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian group Hamas’s October 2023 attack.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said such recognition “will destabilise the region” and would make it “harder to get to the peace”.
“It will push Israel also to have unilateral decisions,” Saar said at a joint press conference with his visiting Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
“States like France and the UK that pushed the so-called recognition had made a tremendous mistake,” he added.
Mr. Rasmussen said Denmark does not plan a similar move.
“We will never… recognise a Palestinian state which is ruled by Hamas or any other terrorist organisation,” he said.
“And therefore it comes with a lot of preconditions — a disarmed Palestinian state recognising Israel, transparency, democracy… That is our position.”
Saar did not specify what Israel’s reaction may entail, but his remarks come after the government approved new settlement projects in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
A major project just east of Jerusalem, known as E1, would bisect the West Bank, and according to Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”.
Smotrich, who lives in a settlement, said on Wednesday that Israel should annex parts of the West Bank to “take the idea of dividing our tiny land and establishing a terrorist state at its centre off the agenda once and for all”.
The West Bank is home to around three million Palestinians, as well as about 500,000 Israelis who live in settlements that are illegal under international law.
Israel has annexed east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau it captured from Syria, both seized during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
Most of the international community does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over these areas.
Throughout the Gaza war, the West Bank has been rocked by a surge in violence including settler attacks and Israeli military raids.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has denied recent rumors that the stablecoin issuer is offloading its Bitcoin holdings to buy gold.
In a Sunday post on X, Ardoino said the company “didn’t sell any Bitcoin,” and reaffirmed its strategy of allocating profits into assets like “Bitcoin, gold, and land.”
The comments came in response to speculation from YouTuber Clive Thompson, who cited Tether’s Q1 and Q2 2025 attestation data from BDO to claim the firm had reduced its Bitcoin (BTC) position. Thompson pointed to a drop from 92,650 BTC in Q1 to 83,274 BTC in Q2 as evidence of a sell-off.
However, Jan3 CEO Samson Mow debunked the claim, noting that Tether transferred 19,800 BTC to a separate initiative called Twenty One Capital (XXI) during the same period. That included 14,000 BTC sent in June and another 5,800 BTC in July.
Tether CEO denies Bitcoin sell-off rumors. Source: Paolo Ardoino
Related: Tether holds talks to invest across gold supply chain: Report
Tether moves $3.9 billion in BTC to XXI
In early June, Tether moved over 37,000 BTC, worth approximately $3.9 billion, across numerous transactions to support XXI, a Bitcoin-native financial platform led by Strike CEO Jack Mallers.
“Tether would have had 4,624 BTC more than at the end of Q1 if the transfer is accounted for,” Mow explained, adding that the firm actually increased its net holdings.
Ardoino echoed the explanation, saying the Bitcoin was moved, not sold. “While the world continues to get darker, Tether will continue to invest part of its profits into safe assets,” he wrote.
Tether, the issuer of the USDt (USDT) stablecoin, holds over 100,521 BTC, worth around $11.17 billion, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET.
Tether holds over 100,000 BTC. Source: BitcoinTreasuries.NET
Related: Tether scraps plan to freeze USDT on five blockchains
El Salvador buys $50 million in gold
Tether’s Bitcoin sell-off rumors came as El Salvador revealed it has added 13,999 troy ounces of gold worth $50 million to its foreign reserves, marking its first gold acquisition since 1990. The central bank said the move is part of a diversification strategy to reduce reliance on the US dollar.
Before turning to gold, El Salvador built a $700 million Bitcoin reserve, holding 6,292 BTC. However, an International Monetary Fund report in July claimed that the Central American country has not made any new Bitcoin purchases since February.
Magazine: Bitcoin is ‘funny internet money’ during a crisis: Tezos co-founder
Taipei, Sept. 7 (CNA) Taiwan’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.6 percent in August, staying below the 2 percent alert level for the fourth straight month, but low-income households continued to feel sharper price pressures, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).
The uptick, from 1.53 percent in July, was mainly driven by typhoons and heavy rain that pushed up prices for vegetables, pork and dining out, the agency said Friday when it released August CPI data.
While overall inflation pressure has eased, a breakdown by income groups showed that low-income households continued to shoulder a heavier burden, the data indicated.
Their CPI rose 1.82 percent in August from a year earlier, higher than the overall index, compared with 1.62 percent for middle-income households and 1.5 percent for high-income households.
From January to August, CPI for low-income households climbed 2.03 percent, above the 2 percent alert line, while the increases for middle- and high-income households were 1.89 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, the data showed.
The agency noted that CPI for low-income households has historically run higher than the overall index, as food — the main driver of recent price hikes — takes up a greater share of their spending.
Among the major categories in the CPI, food prices rose the most in August, up 3.18 percent, followed by miscellaneous items (2.59 percent), housing (1.8 percent), healthcare (1.75 percent), and education and recreation (1.26 percent).
Clothing dropped 0.85 percent, while transportation and communications fell 1.34 percent.
The DGBAS said short-term weather factors had temporarily driven up prices but predicted CPI growth could ease in September if conditions stabilize. Still, essential goods will likely keep low-income households under greater strain, it added.
Tube users have been urged to check before travelling this week as strikes by staff escalate, bringing services to an early finish on Sunday evening and closing the London Underground entirely for four days from Monday.
The RMT union has batted back pleas to call off the industrial action, involving about 10,000 workers, as it attempts to secure a shorter working week as part of pay negotiations.
The series of strikes will mean almost no tube trains running until Friday, with other transport in the capital likely to be affected by crowding and congestion.
London’s other rail services – the Elizabeth line, London Overground and National Rail services – will continue to run, as will buses. Some central rail stations with tube interchanges will be closed.
Transport for London (TfL) expects the impact to be most keenly felt from Tuesday, with midweek days now the busiest for commuters since working from home became widespread.
Docklands Light Railway trains will also not run on Tuesday or Thursday because of strikes arising in a separate dispute.
TfL has promised to operate as many services as possible, after making a last-ditch appeal to the RMT union on Friday to call off the London Underground strike. It said it had now made a pay offer of 3.4%, which it urged the union to put to its members.
TfL described the offer as fair and in line with RPI inflation and other pay deals agreed in the rail industry, but said it could not meet demands from the RMT to look at reducing the hours in the working week, currently at 35 hours.
Members of the train drivers union, Aslef, are not involved in the strikes. It has yet to formally accept the deal but is not expecting to ballot for any action.
One estimate puts the potential economic impact of the strikes on the UK economy at more than £230m. The Centre for Economics and Business Research thinktank said its figure was fairly conservative as it is only accounted for direct losses from striking staff and commuters unable to reach work and not ripple effects such as lost productivity and lower spending by shoppers.
The series of RMT strikes, which began on Friday night with depot managers in west London, will start to affect services late on Sunday, as power and track access controllers take action.
Staff working on trains and stations will strike on Monday and Wednesday, and signallers and service controllers on Tuesday and Thursday, bringing the underground to a halt until 8am on Friday 12 September.
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Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said customers should check before they travel, with little to no service expected on the tube. She said that TfL would “welcome further engagement from all of our unions about managing fatigue across the network, but a reduction in the contractual 35-hour working week is neither practical nor affordable”.
An RMT spokesperson said: “We believe a shorter working week is fair and affordable particularly when you consider TfL had a surplus of £166m last year and a £10bn annual operating budget. There are 2,000 fewer staff working on London Underground since 2018 and our members are feeling the strain of extreme shift patterns, giving rise to potential health problems due to fatigue.”
The last planned tube strike, in early 2024, was called off after the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, ambushed negotiations with news of an extra £30m for pay rises.
Bus drivers working for First Bus in west London are also due to strike for three days from Friday, bringing disruption on some routes.
Mladá Boleslav, 7 September 2025 – Škoda Auto has unveiled its new Epiq show car, offering a clear preview of its forthcoming all-electric city SUV crossover. The model features a bold, minimalist design and innovative elements that highlight practical solutions, making the Epiq an ideal companion for everyday use. It represents an important step in Škoda’s electrification strategy and reflects the brand’s commitment to delivering appealing, innovative, and affordable electric vehicles. A seamless digital experience with advanced technologies and assistance systems will complement the driving experience. The Epiq debuted at the Volkswagen Group media workshop ahead of the IAA in Munich, alongside the other models in the Electric Urban Car Family (EUCF) of Volkswagen’s Brand Group Core (BGC).
“The Epiq show car offers a concrete glimpse into the next addition to Škoda’s successful all-electric family. It embodies the essence of Škoda: modern solid design, a spacious interior within a compact footprint, user-friendly, intuitive digital interfaces, and Simply Clever details that ensure a seamless experience – and above all – at an attractive price point. With the Epiq, we’re taking another step towards making electric cars a practical and compelling choice for everyday drivers. “
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto
Everyday companion: Compact size, big on space and range The show car presents the Epiq as a compact city SUV crossover measuring 4.1 metres in length. It seats five passengers comfortably, offers an impressive 475-litre boot and a range of up to 425 kilometres. This makes it practical for everyday use while also suitable for longer journeys. The starting price of the future production model is expected to be comparable with its ICE counterpart, the Kamiq, in many markets – positioning it as the most affordable electric vehicle in Škoda’s expanding portfolio. This further underlines Škoda’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for sustainable and accessible mobility solutions.
Modern Solid inside and out: Robust, functional, authentic The Epiq is the first Škoda model to fully adopt the brand’s new Modern Solid design language, applied both inside and out. This philosophy combines robustness, functionality, and authenticity, clearly reflected in the bold, minimalist styling of the show car. The Cashmere matt paintwork is paired with a glossy black Tech-Deck Face, framed by T-shaped LED daytime running lights and turn indicators. The headlights sit lower, accentuating the robust front bumper with its spoiler finished in Cosmo grey. A new tornado line visually separates the body sections, gives the vehicle strong shoulders, and distinguishes the glass cabin from the rest of the car – creating a dynamic and contemporary look.
Interior: Focus on practicality and digital integration Inside, Škoda focuses on usability and everyday practicality. The Epiq offers generous storage options and clever luggage solutions, including bag hooks, fasteners, and hidden underfloor compartments. Reflecting Škoda’s ‘Mobile First’ approach, the interior is minimalist and functional, featuring wireless phone charging, Simply Clever compartments, as well as physical buttons and haptic scroll wheels. This mix of practicality and smart design ensures the Epiq meets the needs of both families and lifestyle-oriented customers.
Joint production: Electric Urban Car Family to be produced in Spain The Epiq will be built at the Volkswagen Navarra plant in Spain as part of a joint development and production project within Volkswagen’s BGC. With the EUCF initiative, the BGC aims to democratise electric mobility for future generations by introducing four attractive, affordable electric cars across three brands. The production version of the Škoda Epiq is scheduled to make its world premiere in mid-2026.
