First Skoda Enyaq Coupé for UK will be hot 295bhp vRS model
First all-electric vRS
SKODA has announced that UK orders will soon open for its upcoming Enyaq Coupé iV model, the sloping-roofed version of the company’s electric SUV, and the first car to arrive here will be the hot 295bhp vRS model.
The Enyaq Coupé represents Skoda’s equivalent of the Volkswagen ID.5 SUV-coupé, itself a chopped rendition of VW’s ID.4 with which the Enyaq shares the same underpinnings.
Up front on the Enyaq Coupé, LED matrix headlights feature as standard, but the main visual differences between the standard Enyaq and the Coupé occur from the mid-point B pillar backwards, at which point the roofline begins to gently slope away towards the rear. A black panoramic glass roof will be fitted to all versions of the Coupé.
Sportline and vRS models get a sportier overall look with a slightly lower ride height (reduced by 15mm at the front, 10mm at the rear), gloss black elements including the rear diffuser and a revised front apron, for increased visual appeal as much as aerodynamic assistance.
The vRS model that British buyers will be able to get their hands on first features 20in alloy wheels as standard, though buyers can also opt for 21in rims.
Interior options and boot space
The interior specification is dictated by what Skoda calls “Design Selections”, with themes inspired by different types of home furnishings.
There’s the entry-level Loft, for example, featuring easy-clean materials and muted colours; Lodge is trimmed with sustainable materials such as wool and polyester made from recycled plastic bottles; while Suite is especially plush with lots of leather and cognac-coloured contrast stitching.
The vRS model gets a couple of exclusive Design Selections with a racier feel than other models. These include carbon-fibre visual accents throughout the cabin, aluminium pedal covers and the dashboard trimmed in an Alcantara-like material.
At the top of the Enyaq Coupé line is RS Suite trim, with seats covered in black perforated leather, grey piping and colour-contrasting stitching. The dash is upholstered in leather rather than suede, and the heated steering wheel gets its own RS badge.
Whatever the trim, boot space hasn’t suffered significantly in converting the Enyaq into a coupé, with a reasonably generous capacity of 570 litres — compared to 585 litres for the standard model. Which is rather a clever trick, though inevitably large boxes will be trickier to accommodate due to the sloping tailgate.
Technology
Once behind the wheel, drivers are faced with a 5.3in digital display and a centrally-mounted 13in infotainment touchscreen, as well as paddles to adjust the force of energy recuperation under slowing and braking.
An optional head-up display projects safety information (warning and speed limit signs) onto the windscreen as well as information related to any driver assistance systems that are in operation.
The Enyaq Coupé runs the latest version of the Volkswagen Group’s Travel Assist 2.5 software, which enables adaptive cruise control, adaptive lane assist and Traffic Jam Assist, giving the car a low level of autonomy taking some of the workload off the driver, especially in stop-start motorway traffic. The system also includes Park Assist, which can automatically manoeuvre the vehicle in and out of tricky parking spots.
Performance, battery range and charging times
Although an Enyaq Coupé featuring a 62kWh battery will be available in other markets, only models featuring the bigger 82kWh unit will be sold in the UK. In time, there’ll be a few different versions available such as one with rear-wheel drive, a 339-mile range and 201bhp. So too will there be another version with all-wheel drive and 262bhp.
At first, though, the only model available in the UK will be the vRS. Its twin motors send 295bhp to all four wheels, delivering a 0-62mph time of 6.5 seconds. It will also be able to tow a braked trailer of up to 1,400kg, though towing will no doubt significantly affect how far you can travel per charge.
Whichever model UK buyers choose, DC fast charging of up to 125kW is available, meaning that the 82kWh battery can be topped up from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes.
On sale date and prices
Skoda has confirmed that the Enyaq Coupé iV vRS will open for orders in late February or early March with the first deliveries likely beginning in July. The non-vRS Enyaq Coupé will be available to order from May with customer deliveries due to begin in August.
Although UK pricing for the Enyaq Coupé iV has yet to be confirmed, expect a premium over the regular Enyaq iV, prices of which start from £34,850, and a considerable hike above that for the Coupé vRS.
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Related articles
- If you were interested in details of the Skoda Enyaq Coupé, and that the first model will be the Enyaq Coupé vRS, you might like to read our review of the Skoda Enyaq iV
- And check out our extended test of the Skoda Octavia iV Estate plug-in hybrid
- Here are the car makers’ electric vehicle plans for 2022 and beyond
