Skoda has delayed the Australian launch of its new Enyaq electric vehicle (EV), although the fresh model will still arrive on our shores by the end of the year.
Initially hitting the market in coupe form only, both the base Enyaq and flagship Enyaq RS will go on sale Down Under in December, two months later than expected.
“We’re super excited about it and we’ve been talking about it for way too long,” said Kieran Merrigan, Skoda Australia head of product and marketing.
Mr Merrigan told CarExpert that 2500 expressions of interest have been received for the Enyaq, well in excess of the 50 set to hit showrooms each month.
The Enyaq will be the first BEV offering from the brand in Australia, which has gone against the industry trend towards electrification.
New car buyers have previously had to look elsewhere for battery-powered products, but Skoda’s first foray into the EV landscape could draw previously loyal customers back to the brand.
“Will customers come back just because we have the Enyaq? I don’t think so,” said Mr Merrigan.
Enyaq Coupe RS
“It’s up to us to make sure we’ve got the product quality right, as well the value. The car is going really well in Europe… so I’m confident people will come and look at it.”
As well as being the first Skoda BEV, the Enyaq will also be the most powerful car ever offered by the carmaker.
The base 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 found in European examples. Skoda quotes a WLTP driving range of 550km.
At the top of the tree sits the Enyaq RS, with a 250kW/545Nm dual-motor electric drive system mated to the same 77kWh battery pack. Claimed driving range is 520-542km. Both variants have a top speed of 180km/h.
The Enyaq range will launch with drive-away pricing, finance deals and guaranteed future value (GFV), in line with the wider Skoda range.
However, the brand has not yet detailed Australian Enyaq pricing. Two body styles are available overseas, coupe and SUV, but only the former will be available in Australia at launch.
The Enyaq is expected to go head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y Long Range, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6.
It’s a busy time for Skoda, as the Czech manufacturer prepares to overhaul its entire model line-up over the next 12 months.
MORE: Everything Skoda Enyaq
