Facelifted Enyaq revealed ahead of 2024 arrival

UPDATED: This article was updated at 3pm on Wednesday 4 October.

SKODA has confirmed it will introduce the 250kW Enyaq RS to Australia in July 2024. The battery electric vehicle will be the most powerful yet from the Czech brand, and will be offered in both SUV and Coupe body styles with a driving range of up to 547km.

Skoda Australia says the sporty model will offer a 0-100km/h time of just 5.5 seconds.

It will be joined by the 210kW Enyaq 85 with 576km of range and a 6.7-second 0-100km/h time.

The upgraded Skoda Enyaq features more advanced electric motors, batteries and thermal management when compared with the original model range (not sold in Australia), and will allow owners to recharge their vehicle from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 28 minutes (via a 175kW DC charger).

Further, the range is set to introduce new software that that brings a completely redesigned user interface with a more intuitive design that makes it easier to control the car’s functions. The virtual instrument panel and head-up display also receive new graphics, and the voice assistant is improved, says Skoda Australia.

“Both the 210kW and 250kW Enyaq are the most powerful Skoda models we have ever offered, while delivering among the longest electric vehicle driving range in the electric medium SUV segment,” said Skoda Australia head of marketing and product, Kieran Merrigan.

“Skoda customers are also among the most discerning and progressive in the market, and the Australian love affair with RS badged product continues. Together this tells us that our performance and technology flagship, as an appealing SUV, will be warmly welcomed into the market from mid next year.”

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SKODA has this week outlined details of its updated all-electric Enyaq SUV range ahead of the model’s arrival in showrooms in 2024.

Production of the Enyaq is slated to commence next month (November), the facelifted model to be bolstered by refreshed looks, more power, a longer driving range, and technology updates.

As reported by GoAuto earlier this year, Skoda Australia will add the Enyaq to its portfolio from mid-next year.

The Czech manufacturer says the entry-grade Enyaq 85 SUV and Coupe can now travel up to 565km and 576km (WLTP) respectively on a single charge, with recharging times (in the 10 to 80 per cent range) dropping to 28 minutes.

Both variants now feature a bolstered 210kW (+60kW) rear axle-mounted electric motor, enabling a 0-100km/h time of just 6.7 seconds – a two-second improvement over the superseded model.

The same motor is now adopted for the all-wheel drive Enyaq 85x which offers a 15kW improvement over its predecessor. Skoda quotes a 0-100km/h time for the variant of 6.6 seconds, and a 538km (WLTP) driving range (or 548km for the Coupe).

Peak charging of 175kW allows an identical 10 to 80 per cent charging time of 28 minutes.

It is a similar story for the flagship Enyaq RS, which, like the 85x variant, boasts optimised battery cell chemistry with improved thermal management and the option of higher maximum charging power.

Skoda says the Enyaq RS benefits further from a “power boost”, with 250kW now offered – reducing the 0-100km/h time to just 5.5 seconds in both body variants. Range increases to 541km and 547km (WLTP) respectively for SUV and Coupe variants.

All Enyaq variants boast a top speed of 185km/h.

“The Enyaq family of models will get minor visual changes to bring consistency with the brand’s new visual identity, including new logos and lettering, while the iV branding will disappear,” explained Skoda Enyaq head of product marketing, Jaromir Mendl.

“The various versions will now be distinguished only be a numerical designation or a model designation, such as RS or Laurin & Klement versions.

“An(other) important new feature for the 2024 model of the Enyaq 85 and all higher models is the ability to pre-heat the battery. It can be triggered automatically when the user enters the route to a high-power charger in the navigation system, or it can be activated manually in the car’s infotainment system,” he added.

The upgraded Enyaq range will further receive what Skoda describes as “less significant changes” including rearranged control buttons, automatic locking (walk-away function on Clever package and above) and an updated infotainment array.

Changes to the infotainment system include updated (version 4.0) software Skoda says make operation more intuitive, as well as new graphics (for the infotainment array, instrument array and head-up display) and improved voice control.

GoAuto understand the Skoda Enyaq will arrive in Australian showrooms from the middle of next year (2024), likely kicking off with a Laurin & Klement flagship launch edition, followed by the Enyaq 85 Sportline and, later, the updated Enyaq RS AWD.

Skoda Australia brand director, Michael Irmer, told GoAuto previously that the facelifted model will arrive with the full suite of upgrades listed above, and in both SUV and Coupe body styles.

In Europe, the Enyaq Coupe has been out-selling the wagon version and Skoda Australia expects the same situation to apply here – the Coupe being the more aerodynamic of the two Enyaq body styles with a drag coefficient of just 0.23Cd.

Intended to compete with Kia’s EV6, Enyaq pricing is expected to start around $80,000 seeing that the entry-level 85 Sportline will be comprehensively equipped (if Skoda Australia is able to spec it with everything on offer).

Available equipment includes adaptive damping, dynamic steering, 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive matrix LED lighting, animated lighting display with ‘crystal face’ illuminated front grille, headlight washers, a head-up display with augmented reality, Alcantara/leather trim, electric sports front seats with driver’s massage function, a 13.0-inch infotainment screen with dual wireless charging pads, and a 12-speaker Canton sound system.

Sharing the Enyaq 85’s enhanced battery, power output and range, the Laurin & Klement version goes a step further with chrome exterior detailing, unique alloy wheels, Nappa leather trim (in beige or black), ventilated front seats and upmarket dashboard upholstery.

In terms of sizing, the Enyaq is similar in length to the current-generation Kodiaq, riding on a 2764mm wheelbase. With a height of 1621mm, it stands around 70mm taller than a Kia EV6, with the Enyaq coupe offering 39mm more front headroom and the same rear headroom as the wagon version thanks to its standard panoramic glass roof.

According to Mr Irmer, Australian buyers will be able to register their expressions of interest for the Skoda Enyaq sometime during in first quarter of 2024.