We got for an early drive in a development prototype of the electric Skoda Enyaq to see what to expect from it.

What lurks beneath that shape-disguising wrap is the Skoda Enayq, but the Czech car maker isn’t quite ready to let you see it. However, that didn’t stop them letting me get behind the wheel of this development prototype to get a flavour for what to expect from its new upcoming flagship electric vehicle. 

So what exactly is the Skoda Enyaq? Well, it is the company’s first developed-from-the-ground-up EV, and when it goes on sale in 2021, it will face some stiff competition from a wave of similar new electric cars that are coming. It will be built using a modular platform called MEB, developed by its Volkswagen Group parent, but Skoda has had a good deal of input in putting its unique slant on the finished product. 

There will be three battery sizes available, starting with a 55kWh lithium-ion unit, a mid-level 62kWh version and one with an 82kWh battery, which will be the largest offered. These will be badged as the 50, 60 and 80 respectively. With that scope of batteries available, buyers will be able to choose the one that best suits their needs, as driving ranges will vary between 217 miles (WLTP) in the case of the Enyaq 50 and 310 miles for the Enyaq 80. That largest battery model is the car we’re driving here.

Like most modern EVs, the setup sees the battery mounted flat in the floor, comprising of 288 cells, which power the electric motor that is in the back of the car driving the rear wheels. Yes, this is a rear-wheel-drive electric SUV. Don’t get overly excited though as the power output is a respectable 201bhp for this model, but more powerful versions will come. 

Skoda has outlined its plans that will see an all-wheel-drive model called the 80x gain a second electric motor on its front axle to boost power to 261bhp. Furthermore, there will be a sportier Enyaq vRS model with 302bhp and snappier acceleration with a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds, claim Skoda’s engineers. 

In keeping with Skoda traditions, the cabin seems reasonably spacious when you get inside. The car’s overall length is 4.64 metres, which puts it in between the Karoq and Kodiaq, but inside it is more like the Kodiaq for passenger space. Outward visibility is good thanks to slim A-pillars and a raked windscreen. The steering wheel is the same two-spoke design as what features in the latest Octavia, but much of the other elements inside the cabin seem unique to the Enyaq. 

A smaller, minimalist 5.3-inch digital display sits ahead of the driver and shows only the essentials like speed and range remaining. Skoda will offer a more expansive augmented reality head-up display that projects onto the windscreen similar to that seen in the Volkswagen ID.3. For the Enyaq 50, there is a 10-inch freestanding touchscreen display that sits on top of the centre console. For other models, there is a more substantial, and more impressive looking, 13-inch touchscreen display. This larger unit has been developed and is made in-house at Skoda and will not feature in other Volkswagen Group models. 

There is a total of 48 litres of storage space throughout the cabin ensuring the Enyaq will be a practical car. A larger storage bin between the front seats will also feature two wireless charging pads for smartphones along with USB inputs and cup holders. As there’s no traditional transmission tunnel running through the car, there’s more space around the floor in the front, while the middle rear seat enjoys unobstructed foot room. For those sitting in the back the legroom and headroom are quite decent, and easily a match for the larger Skoda Kodiaq.

Due to the boxy design of the Enyaq’s rear, the boot space measures in at a useful 585 litres and can easily swallow up the weekly shopping trip, luggage for a long weekend away or a couple of kid’s bikes. Skoda has a reputation for adding practical elements to its cars, and the Enyaq will come with umbrellas loaded into the front doors and a separate underfloor storage box in the boot for charging cables. 

You don’t sit all that high in the Skoda Enyaq, but the view out is pretty good thanks to that raked windscreen and slender A-pillar design that minimises blind spots. With it being electric there’s an instant pickup from the electric motor as you ease on the throttle and the Enyaq isn’t shy about getting up to speed. The motor is super smooth, and with it located in the rear, there’s very little sound from it. That rear-drive setup has a positive effect on how the Skoda handles too. You can feel the shove coming from behind as you accelerate out of a slower corner and with less weight over the front axle the steering is nice and direct. Simply put, the Enyaq drives rather sweetly for a car of its size and weight. 

Another point worth mentioning is the suspension and ride quality. Even though the Skoda doesn’t have the benefit of a plush air suspension like you might find in a more premium electric cars like the Tesla Model S, the way that the Enyaq handles poorer road surfaces is impressive. Our car wore mid-size 19-inch wheels (up to 21-inch alloy wheels will be available) and even on winter tyres, it was rarely troubled by broken tarmac. 

The further option of being able to switch between driving modes though the car’s DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) means that if you want to have the car behave in a sportier way, with sharper throttle response and more weighted steering, it’s only the flick of a button away. Alternatively, switching to an Eco mode will prolong the car’s driving range and reduce power consumption from system’s like the air conditioning. 

With a 300-plus mile range, the Enyaq 80 won’t need to stop all that often to charge when sticking to short urban commutes. When you do need to top up the battery, the CCS connection allows for rapid DC charging at up to 125kW rates. That’s enough to fill the battery to an 80 percent charge in 40 minutes. At more common 50kW chargers the same fill will take around 90 minutes, while home charging is possible at up to 11kW through the onboard charger. Anywhere from six to nine hours will refill the battery, or simply leave it charging overnight.

You’ll have to wait until September before you can see the Skoda Enyaq revealed in full, but having had a sneak peek I can tell you its design will create a few talking points. As first impressions go, the Skoda Enyaq has made a good one, let's hope the finished product delivers. 

Model:Skoda Enyaq 80

Price: TBC 

Engine: synchronous three phase motor permanent magnet with 82kWh battery

Power: 201bhp

Torque: TBC

0-62mph: 9.9 seconds (estimate)

Max speed: TBC

Driving range: 301 miles (WLTP)

CO2: 0g/km

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