Skoda is months away from launching its first electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, confirming the Enyaq Coupe and Enyaq RS Coupe for an October launch with drive-away pricing and a guaranteed future value program.
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Speaking with CarExpert, managing director Michael Irmer said Skoda Australia has elected to focus on the Enyaq Coupe from launch, with the SUV body style still under consideration for Australia.
"[Enyaq SUV is] not planned at this stage," Mr Irmer said. "For us, [Enyaq] Coupe is a great way to launch because it is the more emotional product and that gives the ability to launch the product top down."
"What we know for certain is that we bring the Coupe, and it's also certain that we bring the RS and the [base] 210kW engine at least in one but maybe more grades. The RS is pretty much clear, and probably one or two grades of the 210kW as well."
Mr Irmer also confirmed the Enyaq range will launch with drive-away pricing coupled with finance deals and guaranteed future value (GFV), as per the wider Skoda range.
"That's very important for this car, moreso even than the ICE cars. Let's face it, with ICE cars many people have developed comfort having owned many of those, but [EV] customers are concerned because of what they read in the news 'what will it be when it comes to the time of resale' , or what if after four years there is something [much better] is coming out because the evolution of the technology goes too far.
"The GFV is resolving all these things. You know exactly what you're paying, you have your monthly repayments, that's it. If after four years when your term is up, you decide whether you're going to switch to the new car, or if you want to keep it you can also do this – you have all the options and have full protection.
"Remember the Guaranteed Future Value is a guaranteed minimum future value because if the car is worth more than the guarantee, then you can keep the car and have the benefit of it of course."
The entry-level Enyaq 85 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 rolled out in Europe last year.
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. 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.
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 related Cupra Tavascan quotes similar charging times with a 135kW charger.
It's understood the Enyaq 85 will launch in one or two highly specified trim levels, likely based on the luxe Laurin & Klement (L&K) version offered in overseas markets and/or the familiar Sportline grade.
The Enyaq RS, meanwhile, boasts a 250kW/545Nm dual-motor electric drive system mated to the same 77kWh net li-ion battery pack. Performance improves to a brisk 5.5-second 0-100km/h dash, and top speed of 180km/h. Skoda quotes 520-542km of WLTP-certified driving range for the Enyaq RS.
Skoda's local division hasn't given a clear indication of how the Enyaq will be priced, but Mr Irmer has previously told CarExpert "we will offer the car with everything", adding "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 for the Enyaq 85, perhaps?
That positioning for the Enyaq 85 would put it squarely in line with the 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.
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.
As for the RS, it will likely become Skoda's most expensive vehicle ever wearing a price tag potentially starting with an 8 or 9…
Finally, Mr Irmer said Skoda is looking into owner programs around public charging and home installation on the back of what's on offer from Group stablemates Audi and what the Volkswagen brand is looking to offer with its ID. range.
"We are actually talking very closely with our colleagues from Volkswagen and Audi about those things, but I think it's too early to make announcements around this at the moment. We're still in the work phase for that," Mr Irmer said.
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Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
