Skoda Elroq rolls out! More details and a better look at new Tesla Model Y fighter ahead of Aussie arrival as soon as 2025
Draped in enough camouflage to hide the details but not the big picture, the mid-size Skoda Elroq electric SUV has been rolled out for the cameras in Europe.
Wanted and likely to be confirmed by Skoda Australia and destined to sit between the larger Enyaq and the smaller Epiq electric SUVs, the Elroq has the potential to be the most popular member of Skoda’s local EV family.
That’s because it would slot into Australia’s most popular vehicle segment where it would face electric medium SUVs such as the BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model Y and Toyota bZ4X.
READ MORE: Skoda Epiq electric SUV won’t be a $40,000 China fighter in Australia … but it will be well equipped
READ MORE: Skoda Vision 7S concept previews 2026 electric SUV
READ MORE: Skoda Enyaq Coupe revealed, vRS performance version locked in
However, first it has to reach production. The Elroq is scheduled for its undisguised reveal in the third quarter of 2024, which means an Australian on-sale will be likely in 2025.
It will follow the Enyaq coupe on to the Aussie market – which is due late 2024 – and in Europe it will be followed on-sale by the Epiq, which means that vehicle would likely lob in Australia in 2026 if it also gets an expected confirmation.
Good news for Skoda Australia is the delays that have hit the local arrival of the Enyaq aren’t expected to recur when it comes to Elroq and Epiq.
And more good news is they’re just the start, with the Czech brand declaring its ambition to launch six BEVs by the end of 2026 including a full-size seven-seat SUV based on the Vision 7S concept.
As Skoda is a part of the Volkswagen Group, there’s no surprise the Elroq is based on VW’s MEB platform, or that it will be offered in multiple e-motor, battery and rear- and all-wheel drive combinations.
The four Elroq models confirmed by Skoda are the 50, 60, 85 and all-wheel drive dual-motor 85x.
There are three lithium-ion battery pack sizes; 55kWh, 63kWh and 82kWh (gross). Power outputs starts at 125kW and step through 150kW and 210kW to top out at 220kW.
The Elroq offers DC fast-charging up to 175kW for the 85s and 11kW AC charging. A 10-80 per cent charge can take less than 28 minutes in any model.
The maximum claimed WLTP range is 560km, but Skoda isn’t saying which powertrain that applies to.
Shaped externally using Skoda’s new Modern Solid design language, the Elroq sits on a typically long EV wheelbase but measures up similar in overall length to the 4.5m Skoda Karoq ICE medium SUV (the similarities in names is intentional apparently).
The plan is for the Elroq to sell alongside and then replace the Karoq in Skoda showrooms.
Modern Solid design features include a gloss black ‘Tech-Deck Face’ that conceals sensors and cameras and replaces the current open grille. The Skoda logo is replaced by lettering on the bonnet.
Re-designed LED headlights will present a new horizontal interpretation of Skoda’s four-eye face.
Skoda claims a slippery 0.26 drag coefficient for the Elroq and it rolls on aerodynamically optimised wheel choices ranging from 19- to 21-inches.
The five-seat SUV has 470 litre baggage area that expands to 1580 litres by folding the rear seats. In-cabin stowage measures up at 48 litres.
While no interior pics have been issued, it’s been confirmed the 5.0-inch instrumentation and 13-inch infotainment screen come from the Enyaq with updated software, while interior trims include a material called Recytitan for the door panels, seats, dashboard, centre armrest and knee area. It consists of 78 per cent recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is the plastic used to make drinking bottles.
Safety features in the Elroq will include a new auto parking system that can be trained to remember the approaches to five parking spots and be parked remotely using a smartphone and the MySkoda app.
No word on pricing for the Elroq, but UK media are speculating the 85 could be priced at the equivalent of about $75,000.
Hopefully that also means lesser models could get down into the $60,000 region where the Model Y resides.