Skoda has unveiled the Peaq as its new flagship - and its most expensive car to date, priced from £51,980.

As the jewel in the crown of the brand's electric SUV range, the Peaq is a high-rise seven-seater positioned as an equivalent to the combustion-engined Kodiaq SUV.

It is also Skoda's largest model yet, stretching the Volkswagen Group's MEB architecture to 4.9m in length and 1.7m in height. The new SUV has been designed to maximise interior practicality and flexibility.

Skoda says it has generous leg room in the second and third rows, while the high roofline is said to boost head room in the rearmost seats. Skoda claims a boot capacity of 299 litres with all three rows in use, rising to 890 with the third row folded flat, or 2075 with only the front seats in situ. There is also a 37-litre compartment under the bonnet for stowing either the charging cable or the parcel shelf.

As Skoda's new flagship, the Peaq also offers a range of features typically reserved for more luxurious models. These include reclining massage seats with footrests, a Sonos sound system and the largest panoramic roof yet offered by the Czech brand-it is capable of dimming or lighting specific segments of the cabin as the driver chooses.

The Peaq features a new 13.6in infotainment touchscreen display with haptic feedback, while physical toggles for the fan speed and interior temperature feature on the centre console.

Key driving information is displayed on a 10in instrument screen, and an optional head-up display will be available on models ordered from next year.

The seven-seater is also the flag-bearer for the 'Modern Solid' design language that was introduced in full with the Epiq, the other bookend to Skoda's electric SUV line-up.

Notably, the Peaq's door handles retract back into the body when the car is locked or moving to improve its aerodynamics performance, which is crucial for improving range in such a large EV. The electronically operated handles, which extend automatically when the car is approached with key in hand, also feature a mechanical fail-safe release for use in emergencies.

The Peaq will be offered with two powertrains from launch, named 90 and 90X. The 90 has a 282bhp electric motor mounted on its rear axle, while the 90X adds a motor up front for four-wheel drive and a combined output of 294bhp. Both versions have an official range of 390 miles.

The Peaq's 86kWh (usable capacity) battery can be recharged at rates of up to 199kW, giving a 10-80% refill in 28 minutes on a compatible charger connection. The pack can also be used to power external devices.

Customer deliveries will begin early next year.