Skoda’s electric SUV to launch in high-spec coupe and wagon guise, but order book not open until next year
The Australian line-up for the 2024 Skoda Enyaq has been confirmed ahead of the all-new battery-electric SUV’s arrival in Australia late next year.
The current intention is to offer Skoda’s first EV in both Coupe and wagon SUV body styles, with the pair available in two high-end trim levels: Sportline and the performance-focused RS.
Pricing will be confirmed closer to the Enyaq’s release, with pre-sales scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2024, but it’s unlikely to be cheap due to not only the battery-electric powertrain but loaded specification levels.
The Enyaq Sportline 85 will feature the updated powertrain fitted to the recently revealed L&K Edition, which is named after Skoda’s founders Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement and is also under consideration for local release.
Battery capacity remains at 82kWh (77kWh useable) but new cell technology allows it to power a 210kW rear-mounted electric motor, offer a maximum range of 570km (WLTP) and cut DC charging times to around 30min for 10-80 per cent.
The updated battery also allows for pre-conditioning for faster charging, pre-heating if the car is told a charge is required (either manually or automatically if a charger is the sat-nav destination).
The RS currently only offers a slight power increase with 220kW and all-wheel drive, but we expect it to score its own – as yet unannounced – powertrain update prior to release.
Regardless, the Enyaq RS will still be the most powerful Skoda ever offered.
Both models feature a lower sport chassis, dynamic steering and are likely to include adaptive dampers as standard, as well as 21-inch wheels, Matrix LED headlights, LED tail-lights, blacked-out exterior trim and a body kit.
The most eye-catching design feature is what Skoda refers to as a ‘crystal face’, a clear grille consisting of 19 vertical fins intersected by a horizontal line and illuminated by 131 LEDs. It makes for a striking visage.
Interior highlights include heated front and rear seats, powered memory sports front seats (driver’s with massage), a giant head-up display, triple-zone climate control, digital instruments, a Canton premium sound system, ambient lighting, Alcantara upholstery and wireless phone charging.
A huge 13.0-inch touch-screen takes care of infotainment duties featuring in-built navigation, digital radio, wireless smartphone mirroring as well as an enormous array of vehicle functions.
In the rear there are ISOFIX points on the outboard seats, a pair of USB-C ports, in-built window shades, mobile phone pockets in the back of the front seats as well as the traditional map pockets, a fold-down centre arm rest and removable floor tray with more storage and a second pair of cup holders.
The full-length glass roof also means Enyaq Coupe headroom is actually greater than in the regular five-door.
A ski port provides through-access to the large 570-litre boot, the Coupe only offering 15 litres less than the wagon (though it would be a different story loaded to the roof rather than the window line).
But it’s beneath the boot floor where the Enyaq sets itself apart.
Lift the floor and there are a number of separate compartments of varying sizes for storage, the charging cable living in its own bag to the side. These compartments can then be lifted out as a whole to further improve luggage space.
While Australia has been waiting for the Enyaq for some time due to strong European demand, where it was released more than two years ago, Skoda Australia boss Michael Irmer says the delay has had a silver lining.
“The market is now ready, which was not necessarily the case two or three years ago,” he said.
“The political landscape has changed and the market landscape has improved a lot; I wish we had that two years earlier, but nevertheless we didn’t, so now we’re getting at least the benefits of the stronger drivetrain.”
Irmer also says he has requested the timeline be brought forward, though an 18-month European wait list means nothing is yet confirmed.
“We hope that the request to pull forward is at least partially coming true, but the confirmed one is that we will be able to start pre-sales in the second quarter with deliveries in the fourth quarter [2024].”
We’ll bring you pricing information on the forthcoming 2024 Skoda Enyaq closer to its local release.
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Keyword: 2024 Skoda Enyaq EV: Australian line-up confirmed