This is Skoda’s first bespoke electric car, the Enyaq, which will lead the Czech manufacturer into new territory when it lands in UK dealers in early 2021. The Enyaq is, in effect, the sister vehicle to the forthcoming VW ID.4. Like that car, it sits on the VW Group’s latest all-electric platform, MEB, which has been designed to maximise the packaging and efficiency benefits that come with electric cars. The Enyaq is a 4,648mm-long SUV, so it’s about 50mm shorter than Skoda’s flagship offering, the Kodiaq. But the Enyaq’s wheelbase is 2,765mm, just 26mm shorter than the Kodiaq’s, reflecting how the engineers have reduced the front overhang to help free up extra cabin space. While the car is being launched as a regularly shaped SUV, a more rakish coupé version is also under development. The Skoda’s styling comes with some interesting additions such as 130-LED backlighting in the front grille (standard on high-end versions). Eight wheel designs will be offered, ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Battery, range and performance The Enyaq range in the UK will comprise two versions at launch. The iV 60 has a 62kWh battery and a 177bhp motor driving the rear wheels, for a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds. Skoda claims this car can manage up to 260 miles on a single charge.

The iV 80 has an 82kWh battery and a larger, rear-mounted motor with 201bhp. It can cover 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and travel for 316 miles between recharges. Skoda UK has already confirmed that a four-wheel-drive edition will be offered in due course; badged 80x, it will have 261bhp and a range of 285 miles. But it won’t be the most potent Enyaq; that will be the vRS, which will pack a 302bhp twin-motor set-up and crack 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds. Expect these additional variants in spring 2021. 42 The Enyaq will come with 50kW DC charging as standard – a sign that Skoda is focusing on those who will top up their car’s battery at home. Faster charging is available (100kW for the 62kWh battery, 125kW for the 82kWh), but as an option. Skoda says it will take between six and eight hours to charge the battery via a 7kW home wallbox. Interior, specs and prices Inside, the fascia is dominated by a 13-inch infotainment display, reportedly the largest in any of the MEB-based models. There’s a small digital instrument binnacle but a more conventional drive selector, in the centre console, than the steering column-mounted rocker in the VW ID.3.

The boot capacity is 585 litres – a little up on that of the Skoda Karoq mid-sized SUV, and better than the Kia e-Niro’s. Skoda is using those two basic technical specifications as the basis for the Enyaq’s trim levels. The Enyaq iV 60 gets the 13-inch infotainment screen, ambient interior lighting, rear parking sensors, air-con and a multifunction leather steering wheel. The cabin treatment on the entry edition is called Loft, and it includes a mixture of fabric and artificial leather seat facings, and brushed aluminium highlights. The iV 80, meanwhile, adds heating to the steering wheel, and navigation to the infotainment system, plus front parking sensors and a rear-view camera. It also comes with a Loft cabin as standard. Both editions are then available with two other treatments. Lounge (an extra £1,115) has light grey leather with yellow stitching, while Suite costs £1,285 and brings leather trim and piano-black highlights. 42 The Enyaq’s pricing looks relatively keen. The car will cost from £33,450 in 62kWh Loft trim, before the Government’s plug-in car grant. That means this all-electric family SUV should cost from £30,450, making it just under £1,000 more expensive thanthe e-Niro. The 82kWh edition, meanwhile, costs £35,950 (after grant) in Loft trim.