You'll be familiar with the Skoda Enyaq by now. It shares the Volkswagen ID4's MEB platform, and is pitched at roughly the same early(ish)-adopter. We drove the top-of-the-line 265hp 80x Sportline version not so long ago, and thought it adequately good - if predictably expensive - for moderately quick, zero-emission family-based use. However, not unlike the wilfully bland ID4, the Enyaq did want for a bit of old-fashioned desirability. We say 'a bit': it made an Octavia wagon look like a Koenigsegg Gemera.
Likely sensing this shortfall, Skoda has attempted to right its design wrong with liberal (and these days, entirely conventional) application of a 'Coupe' nameplate for its latest variant. Broadly speaking the big news here is the more 'emotive' design which sees the rear roofline plunge toward a sleeker rear end, alongside a standard-fit panoramic glass roof. Of course this is all the rage with premium-badged SUV/crossovers, and results in much the same profile we've seen elsewhere - marginally aiding aerodynamics in return for a minor shortfall in practicality.
The manufacturer says that a superior drag efficient will mean the Coupe model ekes out a 339 mile range if you choose the right single-motor spec. Naturally we're more interested in the all-wheel-drive range-topper, as this is the first EV that Skoda has deemed worthy of its vRS badge. This model assumes flagship duties over the 80x courtesy of a new 299hp output - although it shares its stablemate's two-motor layout and 82-kWh battery. Peak torque is up, too, at 339lb ft, albeit within the confines of a 30-sec overboost.
Will that be sufficient to spike the punch bowl? Well, it seems the vRS gets the same 'sports' chassis as the regular Sportline model we drove, which dutifully delivers a 15mm ride height drop at the front and 10mm at the rear, but doesn't exactly turn the Enyaq into a tarmac rally car. No mention of kerbweight just yet, but don't expect the Coupe to be significantly lighter than the 2.2 tonnes (without driver) quoted for the current dual-motor version. Hence the 6.5-second-to-62mph time - meaning it's less than half a second quicker than the Sportline 80x to the national limit.
It does come with a higher top speed at 111mph (compared with 99mph for the rest of the range) although that will probably be a less compelling fact for buyers than a carryover of the Enyaq's 125kW fast-charging capacity which Skoda says ought to get you from 10 to 80 per cent charged in 29mins. The firm doesn't quote a specific range for the vRS just yet, but it expect it to be in a similar ballpark to the WLTP-rated 303 miles that the 80x is said to be capable of in the right conditions.
Elsewhere you get some model-specific design details - including some black trim bits and full-length red reflector strip at the rear which is typical of current vRS models. Apparently the 'Crystal Face' grille, equipped with 131 LEDs, is also standard kit (yep, really) as are black 20-inch Taurus wheels. Inside the current Enyaq architecture is carried over to the Coupe, albeit with uprated 'Design Selection' trim packs. Exclusive to the vRS is a lot of additional black leather alongside carbon-fibre effect, aluminium pedals and familiar sports seats. The vRS will be available to order this month for deliveries in July (price TBA), with the regular Coupe to follow soon after. And there's an SUV-shaped Enyaq vRS coming, too, if this is all a bit much.
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