Skoda is not a brand we hear a lot about in our country. Despite this, the Czech company is one of the oldest manufacturers on the planet, with a history that goes back to 1924. It has to be said that very few of their vehicles were distributed here, and only for a very short period: from 1984 to 1990. Today, it's impossible to buy a new model in Canada without going through private importation. However, I'd be curious to take a seat in the new Skoda Elroq 2025, whose ingenious tire accessory clearly demonstrates the company's design philosophy.
They know all about accessories
The manufacturer has earned a reputation for its wide range of practical, if sometimes a little eccentric, accessories and features. These include smart storage for charging wires (yes, it's an EV), integrated emergency lights and even an umbrella in the door. It's reminiscent of Rolls-Royce, but at a much more affordable price!
The feature we're interested in today, however, is a simple ice scraper that has a second purpose, perfectly suited to this blog. You can use this scraper to measure the thickness of your tire tread, thanks to useful markings on the tool. Of course, it's also extremely useful for accurately checking tire wear. The company has been offering such an accessory for several years now, but this is the first time it's been located on the rear, a much more obvious spot.
Which tires are best?
As I said at the outset, you won't be able to buy a Skoda Elroq 2025 in Canada. The Volkswagen Group, of which the brand is a subsidiary, has expressed no desire to market the Czech company's models in North America. However, the arrival of Cupra, a Spanish division of the Volkswagen Group, is expected in the next few years. The Formentor, one of their flagship models, has a look strongly reminiscent of the Elroq, and there are already plans to introduce an electric version to the North American market by 2030.
Will the Formentor 2030 also feature an intelligent scraper? It's hard to say, but it's already easy to see what kind of tires it will prefer. On an electric model of this size, wear is a problem, so you'll need sturdy tires. Their rolling resistance should also be low to increase range. Tires such as Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 or Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS Plus 3 are ideal.
