Skoda Sharyaq And Prediaq Debut As 4-Wheeled NHL Mascots

And now for one thing utterly totally different, a Czech automaker is popping its consideration to North America’s Nationwide Hockey League. No, Skoda sadly is not coming to the USA. It is truly the opposite means round as two NHL groups are at present in Europe for back-to-back video games to open the 2022-23 common season. San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators will duel on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8 in Prague on the O2 Area.

Skoda has been a long-time hockey supporter, having been an official companion of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship since 1992. For the NHL’s ninth go to to Europe, the Volkswagen Group model has determined to decorate up two of its SUVs as mascots. Based mostly on the Kodiaq, the four-wheeled mascot of the Nashville Predators is known as “Prediaq” whereas the “Sharyaq” for the San José Sharks is an Enyaq iV. Sure, even the mascots comply with Skoda’s naming scheme with all SUVs ending with the letter “q.”

Vítězslav Pelc, the Skoda worker chargeable for these funky staff mascots explains why these autos have been chosen. The Mladá Boleslav-based marque determined to go together with the 2 SUVs since they’re related in measurement and supply a distinction between combustion engines and all-electric drivetrains. Very similar to the Predators’ jerseys, the Prediaq is usually yellow whereas the Sharyaq is black and blue to echo the San José Sharks.

Other than the eye-grabbing physique decals, the Kodiaq and Enyaq iV use a 3D-printed versatile ribbed composite construction. It consists of polyurethane foam layered in various hardness in order that the fins, tail, and mane can “wiggle naturally,” in response to Plec. It’s an surprising transfer on Skoda’s half and a enjoyable strategy to promote the model throughout such a giant occasion for NHL followers.

Skoda is not any stranger to wacky ideas as college students from the corporate’s vocational college have constructed some fascinating one-offs through the years. From a Kodiaq pickup truck to a Sunroq SUV convertible, there have been some unconventional tasks in current instances.