Skoda Australia has offered its initial plans for the all-electric Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe crossovers, ahead of orders opening around the second quarter of 2024.
The Czech brand’s first electric SUV shares its Volkswagen Group MEB architecture with the likes of the Cupra Born that’s already on sale Down Under, as well as the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 due sometime next year.
Skoda’s local director Michael Irmer told CarExpert the company will at this stage officially open orders for the Enyaq during the second quarter of 2024, with first deliveries to arrive in the fourth quarter. However, Mr Irmer noted the brand is working to bring this forward by as much as two to five months – though this is still unconfirmed.
It’s worth noting that Skoda’s global office has already confirmed a “significantly updated” Enyaq in 2025, one of six all-new or refreshed battery electric models due for international launches by the end of 2026.
Here’s everything we know so far about the brand’s upcoming EV flagship.
Line-up
Skoda Australia says it has a pair of “planned variants” – the Enyaq 85 and Enyaq RS.
At launch the sole option will be the Enyaq 85, which will be powered by a single-motor rear-wheel drivetrain teamed with the 82kWh (77kWh usable) long-range battery pack.
Australia will launch with the more powerful 210kW e-motor recently announced for Europe and first confirmed for the related Cupra Tavascan, making it the most powerful Skoda ever in Australia – at least until the updated Enyaq RS arrives “later”.
Skoda claims the Enyaq 85 will accelerate from 0-100km/h in an Octavia RS-like 6.7 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 180km/h. Further, WLTP range is listed at 570 kilometres.
It appears Australia will miss out on the Enyaq 85x with dual-motor all-wheel drive, quoting the same 210kW power output but with a 6.6s 0-100 time and WLTP range of 550km per charge.
A torque figure hasn’t been confirmed even in Skoda’s global media materials, though Mr Irmer noted the Enyaq 85 will have “60 per cent” more torque than the Superb Sportline 4×4 with its 206kW/350Nm 2.0 TSI – rough maths suggests a 560Nm torque figure, but the dual-motor Cupra Tavascan produces 545Nm at the rear.
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Enyaq RS
Local versions will come equipped with a battery pre-heat function, with DC fast charging claimed to replenish 10-80 per cent in “under 30 minutes” at an undisclosed rate – the Tavascan quotes similar charging times with a 135kW charger.
The Enyaq RS, meanwhile, is expected to be released after the 85 versions arrive, though it’s unclear what exactly will power it at this stage – as the current 220kW/460Nm dual-motor version offered abroad is also about to be upgraded.
As with the single-motor model, clues can again be taken from the Cupra Tavascan, which offers a 250kW dual-motor AWD drivetrain with 545Nm at the rear and 134Nm at the front, for a 0-100km/h claim of 5.6 seconds.
Standard Equipment
It’s understood the Enyaq 85 will launch in a single, highly specified trim level, potentially based on the luxe Laurin & Klement (L&K) version offered in overseas markets or the familiar Sportline grade similar to other Skoda lines locally.
Enyaq Sportline highlights:
- Adaptive chassis control
- Dynamic steering
- 360-degree camera
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with regen braking paddles
- Front electric seats
- Memory function
- Power lumbar support
- Driver massage function
- Head-up display
- Advanced ambient lighting incl. welcome logo
- Front, rear heated seats
- Canton premium sound system
- Front centre airbag
- 21-inch BETRIA alloy wheels
- Crystal face – Illuminated front grille
- Matrix LED headlights
- Front fog lights
- Headlight washers
- Animated LED rear lights incl. dynamic indicators
- Door mirrors
- Heated
- Elec adjustment
- Auto dimming
- Memory function
- Front Sports seats
- Alcantara upholstery (Sportline specific)
- Wireless phone charging
- 13-inch touchscreen infotainment
- Satellite navigation
Enyaq L&K highlights:
- Model-specific bumpers
- 20- or 21-inch model-specific alloys
- L&K exterior, interior design, badging
- Heated, ventilated front seats
- Heated multifunction steering wheel
- Leather upholstery, contrast stitching
Pricing
Skoda’s local division hasn’t given a clear indication of how the Enyaq will be priced, but Mr Irmer said “we will offer the car with everything”.
Mr Irmer’s comment refers to a fully specified, premium model; adding that “it’s basically a match for the Kodiaq RS” – which is currently priced from $74,990 drive-away in Australia.
Speaking with CarExpert, Mr Irmer said “all electric cars cost a bit more upfront”, hinting a price positioning “certainly [at least] a couple of thousand dollars” more than the Kodiaq RS – $79,990, perhaps?
While such a price tag for the Enyaq 85 would easily make the EV Skoda’s most expensive model ever in Australia, even before the Enyaq RS arrives, Mr Irmer was quick to point out that customers need to be educated around total cost of ownership, which sees the premium for EVs returned “relatively quickly” in the right circumstances.
“I think what’s important now for all manufacturers is that we educate customers that the fact it’s a couple thousand dollars more upfront doesn’t necessarily mean it’s costing a couple of thousand more because it’s important to look at the total cost of ownership of EVs,” Mr Irmer said.
“They have lower cost of fuel, and you have lower cost of servicing. If you combine this with the typical ownership cycle of five, six, seven years – depends a bit on the mileage and depends on where you charge – you can have a break-even point relatively quickly if you have high mileage and charge at home with solar panels, for instance.”
Further, Mr Irmer told CarExpert the brand’s Australian customers are “research driven” who focus less on the sticker price and focus more on the value of the overall package, rather than being “bargain hunters”.
That circa-$80,000 positioning for the Enyaq 85 would put it pretty squarely against the recently-introduced Tesla Model Y Long Range, which is priced from $82,300 before on-road costs offering a 5.0s 0-100 sprint time courtesy of its more powerful dual-motor AWD electric drivetrain but a lesser WLTP-certified range of 533 kilometres per charge.
Other rivals include the Ford Mustang Mach-E (from $79,990), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (from $72,000), Kia EV6 (from $72,590), as well as the related Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 which haven’t been priced for our market as yet.
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