We test the Enyaq, Skoda’s cool new zero-emission electric SUV

AS you might have guessed from the bobble hat, this road test is from the past.

It’s early February and I’m in Ireland driving a camouflaged prototype of the Skoda Enyaq.

So why the three-month delay?

Well, that’s partly due to the world being spannered by Covid-19 but mostly because of politics.
Skoda couldn’t talk about Enyaq until the VW mothership had unveiled ID 4. Because they’re twins, just with different haircuts.

They’re both zero-emission electric SUVs using the same tool kit of parts. Cut them in half and they would bleed the same.

Much like ID 4, then, Enyaq will come in three battery sizes — ranging from 211 to 310 miles — as well as rear or all-wheel drive.

Unlike ID 4, Enyaq will glow at night like Currys shop window due to its fully illuminated front grille. It’s cooler than it sounds.

One of Skoda’s head designers once told me that “light was the new chrome” and, boy, did he mean it. I can also tell you there’s a hot 306hp vRS in the oven as well as a smart coupe version.

Now, back to Ireland.

The cabin in my very green prototype was also disguised so there is no point sharing a photo with you — but four things were immediately obvious.

1. Space. A Skoda trademark maximised by the lack of oily bits.

2. Screens. It has a giant 13in floating tablet, digital cockpit and next-gen head-up display.

3. Silence. This thing is quieter than a lift full of strangers.

4. Speed. Electric cars have buckets of instant torque. And even though Enyaq is big and heavy, it’s got the lungs to match a hot hatch.

Did you notice all four began with an S? God, I do love alliteration.

Hang on, there’s a fifth. Sustainable. My designer friend also says you can tick the box for olive leather. Skoda had planned to unveil a special “Founder’s Edition” next month to celebrate its 125th birthday — 1,895 cars and 1895, geddit?

But the big unveil has been pushed back to September with first deliveries due early 2021.

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No matter because the car is good. And it’ll be cheaper than ID 4 and much, much cheaper than the forthcoming Audi Q4 e-tron, which also has the same innards.

I’ve got right to the end without discussing the name Enyaq. Like Irish singer Enya (“Sail Away, Sail Away”) but with a Q on the end.

That’s probably why they sent me to Ireland to drive it.

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