FIRST DRIVES
TESTER’S NOTE The battery in the vRS comes from a different supplier and as such has a different chemical make-up. That means faster charging to 62 miles but slower subsequently. DJ
TESTED 8.3.22, TUSCANY, ITALY ON SALE JUNE
SKODA ENYAQ COUPE iV vRS Sleeker version of impressive electric SUV arrives in performance guise onsidering the unabating popularity of EVs, SUVs and SUVs that want to be coupés, it’s only natural that myriad mash-ups should appear, and the latest is the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupé. Is it just a quick cash-in, then? Not exactly. Work started on the Coupé in 2017, before the square-backed Enyaq we know today, originally intended as a quirky alternative to the cookie-cutter SUVs of the day. Of course, it’s not alone these days, but that doesn’t stop it from heading the Enyaq family, even getting the honour of being the first EV to wear Skoda’s vRS performance badge. That’s the most exciting version, officially getting from 0-62mph in 6.5sec, thanks to 295bhp from two motors and four-wheel drive. No one will ever say that it’s slow, but if you’ve ever experienced a Tesla Model 3 at full chat, it is likely to leave you underwhelmed. The additional motor also reduces range, meaning you will be lucky to get 300 miles from the 82kWh battery.
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The rear-wheel-drive 80 probably makes more sense, having the samesize battery but just the one motor making 201bhp. It still feels plenty fast enough on a straight, sprinting from 0-62mph in 8.8sec, and it gets the best official range, at 335 miles. Both versions are capable of rapid charging at up to 135kW, meaning 10-80% in less than 36 minutes. ‘On a straight’ was a key point, because while the Enyaq Coupé is a fine thing to drive, even the vRS isn’t exactly exhilarating. Fourwheel drive gives you confidence to push on, especially when you engage Sport driving mode to firm everything up, and it’s quite satisfying to feel the differential pull you through corners when you enter with some pace. The problem is that it’s a heavy old thing, and you become very aware of that as you exit corners. That’s not helped by depressions in the road unsettling the car and steering that doesn’t give much in the way of feedback, so you’re never quite sure what the front wheels are doing.
The vRS disappoints a bit in this respect, because while it has decent handling, it feels more like a normal top-tier model than a sporty variant. It isn’t all bad news, though, because both the 80 and the vRS are comfortable when you aren’t hooning around. The ride is on the firmer side, even in Comfort mode, but it soaks up imperfections and small potholes with ease, never crashing through them like, for instance, the Renault Arkana does. As you might expect, the smaller wheel choices are the comfiest. Talking of comfort, it’s a pleasure to take a seat inside and go for a long drive. Space is a highlight, with that sloping roofline having little effect on the amount of head room available (perhaps not helped by the standard panoramic roof), and the overall quality of the materials is very high. The vRS and Sportline trim level both get you suede throughout, which is a really nice touch. Front and centre is a massive 13in touchscreen running the latest
version of Skoda’s infotainment software, including sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a DAB radio and Bluetooth. It’s certainly better than the old system, reacting faster to your prods, but it’s still a bit of a maze, causing you to flick through menu after menu to do simple things like turn off the lane keeping assistance. UK prices and equipment levels for the 80 won’t be announced until later this year, but the vRS is already available to order. It will set you back £51,885, which is a fair chunk over even the regular Enyaq 80x (meaning 4WD) in Sportline trim. That’s a brilliant car in its own right, so the question is: just how important is that added style to you? DAN JONES
@turboblag
SKODA ENYAQ COUPE iV vRS Spacious, comfortable and decent to drive but not as sporty as the vRS badge leads you to expect
AAABC Price Engine Power Torque Gearbox Kerb weight 0-62mph Top speed Battery Range, economy CO2, tax band RIVALS
Ride is firm and can get unsettled; cabin is classy but screen could be better
£51,885 Two electric motors 295bhp 339lb ft 1-spd automatic, 4WD 2204kg 6.5sec 111mph 82/77kWh (total/usable) 309 miles, 4.0mpkWh 0g/km, 1% Audi Q4 E-tron Sportback, Volvo C40 Recharge
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