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Fans of the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks hockey teams are probably scratching their heads. For their return trip to play hockey in Europe for a recent Global Series matchup, the teams were presented with a special one-off Skoda brand SUVs with some … interesting … modifications. The Czech automaker customized these SUVs hoping to capitalize on Europeans’ hunger for NHL hockey.

Skoda customized two SUVs for the American NHL teams

Skoda NHL tribute SUVs
A Skoda Enyaq iV and Kodiaq customized for NHL teams from the US | Skoda

The two teams faced off in Prague, in the Czech Republic for a special match. But, Skoda decided to capitalize on Prague’s fans enthusiasm for the game by bringing out two customized SUVs for the game. Skoda is part of the Volkswagen group, and it sells what are basically rebadged Volkswagens in Europe. But these two customs are a unique European take on a one-off SUV.

These are two weird SUVs

The steering wheel of a Skoda custom for the Nashville Predators
Skoda custom Prediaq | Skoda
The Nashville Predators SUV is a modified VW Tiguan.
Skoda Prediaq for the Nashville Predators | Skoda
Teh Skoda Enyak is a rebadged VW ID.4
Skoda Enyak iV for the San Jose Sharks | Skoda
The San Diego sharks Skoda
Skoda made this SUV for the San Jose Sharks | Skoda

Skoda customized a Kodiaq SUV into a yellow-and-black SUV it called the Prediaq. It turned a blue Enyaq iV into what it calls the Sharyaq, because the San Jose team is the Sharks. Of the two, the shark-like version works the best because of the giant teeth on the front and the shark fin, naturally, on the roof. The Predators version, however, tries to emulate a saber-toothed tiger, but instead of that fearsome animals teeth, it gets a cute kitten-like tail.

“We wanted to go down the route of picking two models that were similar in size, and we also liked the contrast between all-electric and conventional drive systems,” says Vítězslav Pelc, who was the Skoda employee responsible for transforming the cars into unconventional team mascots.

What is the Skoda Kodiaq?

Front angle view of white 2023 VW Tiguan crossover SUV
2023 VW Tiguan | Volkswagen

The Skoda Kidiaq is named after the Kodiak bear, but there’s not much ferocity in this VW Tiguan. Like the VW Tiguan we can get in the U.S., the Kodiaq is a seven-seat SUV. But, unlike the 184-horsepower version we get, the Kodiaq gets a small 1.4-liter with 123 horsepower standard. In Europe, though, they do get a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed dual-clutch auto, with the optional 148-horsepower four-cylinder.

What is the Skoda Enyaq iV?

A turquoise Volkswagen ID.4 EV parked in front of the harbor of a greek island.
Volkswagen ID.4 | Volkswagen

The Enyaq iV is a rebadged Volkswagen ID.4. Every new electric Skoda name will start with the letter E and the Enyaq iV is the first for the brand. The specs are virtually identical to the VW ID.4. VW uses the ID. prefix in the U.S. for its electric cars.

Ohh, and for those who were wondering: the Nashville Predators won the game, 4 to 1.  

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.