Skoda Enyaq makes global debut

The first battery-electric vehicle to arrive in Australia based on the Volkswagen Group’s new dedicated-EV platform, MEB, may not be a VW but the Skoda Enyaq iV.

Revealed in Prague overnight, the Skoda Enyaq iV mid-size SUV is wanted by the Czech brand’s local division and could arrive in Australian showrooms sometime in 2022.

That places it in a race against the Volkswagen brand and Audi to have the first MEB-based vehicle on sale in Australia.

Also competing to claim that honour are two other mid-size crossover wagons from the VW Group: the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Audi Q4 e-tron family, neither of which have been officially confirmed for Australia either.

But their chances of getting here are rated as pretty high. It’s just the confirmations that are yet to come.

Last year Skoda Australia brand director Michael Irmer spoke bullishly about his desire to bring the then un-named vehicle here.

Being the first MEB-based vehicle won’t make any of these models first pure-electric EVs from the VW Group in Australia though, as the Audi e-tron arrives in showrooms late this month and the Porsche Taycan in December.

However, neither are based on the MEB skateboard platform, which has been specifically developed for battery-electric vehicles and is earmarked as the basis for at least 27 models from VW, Skoda, Audi and Seat by 2022.

The first of them, the Golf-sized ID.3 hatch is already on sale in Europe. The ID.4 will be unveiled September 23.

Being cut from the MEB cloth, the Skoda Enyaq – a name derived from the Irish ‘Enya’ meaning ‘source of life’ – has a powertrain specification that is going to become awfully familiar to us over time.

It will be available in Europe in both rear-drive and all-wheel drive form, with three battery sizes, in single and dual electric motor configurations, and with five power outputs ranging from 109 to 225kW and a range up to 510km (according to WLTP testing).

The five Skoda Enyaq iV models are the 50, 60, 80, 80x and RS. The 50, 60 and 80 are rear-drive single-motor and the 80x and RS all-wheel drive dual-motor.

The lithium-ion battery packs are rated at 52kWh in the Enyaq 50, 58kWh in the 60 and 77kWh (all net figures) in the 80s and the RS. They have a fast-charging rate up to 125kW DC, which means the 77kWh battery can go from five to 80 per cent full in 38 minutes.

Via an 11kW AC home wallbox, the Skoda Enyaq can be recharged in six to eight hours depending on the battery size.

The 50’s outputs are 109kW/220Nm, it accelerates to 100km/h in 11.4 sec and has a claimed a 340km range. The 60’s equivalent numbers are 132kW/310Nm, 8.7sec and 390km. The 80’s are 150kW/310Nm, 8.5sec and 510km. The 80x’s are 195kW/425Nm, 6.9sec and 460km. The RS claims 225kW/460Nm, 6.2sec and 460km. All Enyaqs have a 160km/h top speed except the RS, which tops out at 180km/h.

Externally, the Skoda Enyaq iV has a sleek 0.27 aerodynamic Cd and measures up at 4649mm long x 1879mm wide x 1616mm high, and has a 2765mm wheelbase. That makes it smaller than the Kodiaq SUV, although Skoda says interior space is similar.

However, the Skoda Enyaq is understood to be a five-seater only, leaving the Kodiaq as Skoda’s sole three-row vehicle.

Design features include an illuminated crystal face grille, full LED matrix headlights and a wheel choice ranging from 18- to 21-inch.

Inside, the Enyaq iV features an all-new design concept for Skoda, and offers such features as a 13-inch infotainment screen mounted on the dashboard, 24/7 online connectivity and the traditional umbrella holder.

Standard equipment from the 50 up includes dual-zone climate control, a multifunction leather steering wheel, keyless start and DAB digital radio.

There is also a focus on sustainably processed and recycled materials. The boot capacity is 585 litres.

Safety features include up to nine airbags, a proactive occupant protection system called crew protect assist, collision avoidance assist, turn assist, exit warning and a head-up display.

And so to pricing. In the right-hand drive UK market the Skoda Enyaq 60 – the entry-level model there – starts at 33,450 UK pounds. That’s close to $61,000 here, placing it right up against the likes of the smaller Hyundai Kona Electric and a several plug-in hybrid SUVs.