Skoda Enyaq teaser sketches
● First Skoda on MEB platform ● Real car revealed 1 September
PRODUCTION of the Skoda Enyaq iV draws ever closer, and these new official sketches give us our clearest look yet at the new all-electric crossover ahead of its official launch on 1 September.
The images confirm that the Enyaq iV will draw plenty of inspiration from the Vision iV concept that was revealed last spring. Some of the showcar’s details, such as the slim headlights and rear-view cameras, will fall by the wayside for the production car, but the overall shape and dimensions (a footprint between that of a Karoq and a Kodiaq) remain familiar.
The top edge of the bold front grille dictates the shape of sharp creases along the bonnet; this angle then also continues into the deep front bumper and along the car’s flanks. The Enyaq does away with the iV’s coupé-like roofline in favour of a more practical squared-off shape – although we already know that a more rakish version of the production car is also in the pipeline. The rear tail-lights, meanwhile, bear a resemblance to those on the latest Octavia.
The sketches don’t show the car’s finer details, but Skoda’s head of exterior design, Karl Neuhold, has said that many details, such as the lighting graphics, will feature crystalline structures that “draw inspiration from Bohemian crystal art”.
An earlier sketch revealed the dashboard layout. The minimalist look relies heavily on a large 13-inch touchscreen to control functions, while the Enyaq will share the Octavia’s two-spoke steering wheel.
The crossover is the first Skoda to make use of the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, and the first production vehicle the firm has designed as an EV from the outset. Much like the MEB-derived VW ID.3 and the SEAT el-Born, the Enyaq’s body sits on top of a modular ‘skateboard’ platform that houses the lithium-ion battery in its floor.
Buyers will have the choice between three battery options: 52, 62 and 82kWh. Skoda claims that entry-level models will be able to cover at least 211 miles on a single charge, while top-spec models should manage 311 miles. Rear and four-wheel drive will also be available.
The Enyaq will be one of a fleet of electric crossovers arriving on the market in 2021. The Nissan Ariya and VW ID.4 will land in showrooms around the same time, along with more premium rivals such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX3.
“The images confirm that the Enyaq will draw plenty of inspiration from the Vision iV concept car”