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Skoda reveals Aussie-bound Enyaq

May 10, 2020September 21, 2023 Andrew Chesterton 2084 Views battery electric vehicle, bev, eletric vehicle, Enyaq, ev, Skoda

This is the Skoda Enyaq and it’s almost certain to be the first battery electric vehicle sold in Australia by the Volkswagen Group’s Czech brand.

First previewed by the Vision iV concept in 2019, the Enyaq is now doing the media rounds in disguise in Europe ahead of going on-sale there in 2021.

Based on VW’s MEB modular BEV architecture, the Enyaq is a 4648mm-long five-door wagon.

Before COVID-19 struck the Australian plan – not quite confirmed but pretty close to it – had been to have the Enyaq on-sale here in 2022.

“We have put our hand up every strongly for that,” Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer told carsales.com.au in 2019, when asked about interest in the then-unseen Enyaq.

“We will start with top-end and top range at selected dealers. We will launch it as a halo car, it will be one of the most expensive vehicles we will have in the range.

“But like all our other models it will be absolute value for money. It will be exciting.”

That means Australians should be initially offered an 82kWh Enyaq with rear-wheel drive dubbed the 80.

That comes with a 150kW/310Nm synchronous permanent magnet motor with a range of as much as 500km on a single charge. It will have fast charging ability up to 125kWh with an 80 per cent fill promised in 40 minutes.

Our guess at pricing? Maybe $60,000.

Later there will be 62 (badged 60) and 55kWh versions (50), a dual-motor all-wheel drive option (80x) and even a higher-performance 225kW RS that is claimed to hit 100km/h in just 6.2 seconds.

The Enyaq – the name is based on the Irish word Enya meaning ‘principle’ or ‘essence’ – is the first of 10 EVs Skoda intends to launch under its ‘Skoda iV’sub-brand in the next few years.

Andrew Chesterton

Andrew began his career as a journalist at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, before he was lured into the fast-paced world of supercars at TopGear Australia. He has also held senior roles at The Daily Mail, which involved spending time at HQ in London, and on the other side of the automotive divide with FCA Australia. As one of Australia's best-read freelance writers, Andrew now contributes to Robb Report, Wish in The Australian, Domain in The Australian Financial Review, CarsGuide, Wheels, The West Australian, GQ, Men's Health and more. His love for writing has carried him around the world and back again, writing for clients in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the USA. He secretly enjoys it so much he’d probably do it for free, but he hopes his editors never find out that bit...