This is the fully-electric Skoda Enyaq iV SUV
This is the new Skoda Enyaq iV. It is the first Skoda model to base itself upon the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, and if that is of no interest to you, know this: it’s a brand new fully-electric SUV that promises a range of up to 505km.
In the UK, you’ll be able to choose from either ‘60’ or ‘80’ badged cars: the former employing a 62kWh battery pack and 132kW motor (180hp), the latter an 82kWh battery and 150kW (204hp) motor, both sending their respective outputs to the rear wheels alone. That’s right, it’s a rear-drive SUV.
The 60 will hit, um, 100km/h in 8.7s, while the more powerful Enyaq 80 will do it two tenths quicker (8.5s). Later, there’ll be a range-topping vRS version, that deploys another motor on the front axle (for four-wheel-drive), and a 0-100km/h time of 6.2s.
Not interested in speed? Skoda reckons on up to 390km of range from the Enyaq 60, and up to 505km from a single charge on the 80 version. Both cars get 50kW DC charging as standard, or you can spec 100kW/125kW charging for the 62kWh and 82kWh respectively.
Enough numbers, let’s talk Car. It’s a smart-looking thing, a bit longer and near enough as wide as a Volkswagen Tiguan, if that helps you visualise. Skoda reckons it’s as commodious as a Kodiaq (the big SUV), despite being shorter than an Octavia (the estate). No doubt consuming your attention is a massive 13in central freestanding touchscreen for you to get nice and grubby, along with a digital cockpit housed inside a 5.3in display running through four different layouts.
There’s also ‘Laura’, who’s your onboard digital voice assistant, able to understand 15 languages. Probably not Elvish, mind. Because it’s a Skoda, and because it’s electric, there’s masses of really practical storage spaces – like a brilliantly-named ‘Jumbo Box’ under the centre armrest, and yet another massive storage space under the centre console.
It’s also family-proofed. A pair of 1.5-litre bottles will fit inside the front and rear doors (very handy), there are USB-C ports, folding tray tables on the front seatbacks, smartphone storage, an ice-scraper with a tyre-tread depth gauge, and of course, Skoda’s trademark umbrellas nestled inside the front doors. Out the back, you’ve got 585-litres of boot space. Skoda has not confirmed whether future variants will iron your clothes, clean your room and take out the rubbish.
Prices in the UK kick off at £33,450 for the entry-level iV 60, which gets 19in wheels, rear parking sensors, dual zone climate control and keyless go. Other sparkly new things include road-sign recognition, ambient lighting and a multifunction steering wheel. This car gets fabric/fake leather interior, but you can option up some leather if you wish for a little over a grand.
The Enyaq iV 80 starts at £38,950, and it gets Better Stuff: a heated wheel, front parking sensors, and a rear-view camera, while the £49,995 80 ‘Founders Edition’ gets 125kW DC charging, 21in wheels, an illuminated front grille and black leather.
Skoda boss Thomas Schäfer said: “The launch of the Enyaq iV sees the start of a new era for Skoda.”
STORY Vijay Pattni
