Electric Skoda gets lean, low new Sportline model

It might not have hit showrooms anywhere in the world just yet, but that’s not stopping Skoda from releasing a new trim level of its upcoming Enyaq iV electric car — the first EV it’s ever made.

Overnight, the Volkswagen Group owned Czech firm revealed its new Enyaq iV Sportline, an effective new flagship model for the nameplate. It adds an array of changes, most of which are cosmetic.

A new front splitter and gloss black detailing on the roof rails, window trims, rear bumper, and on Skoda’s distinctive grille give the model a more sinister appearance. The standard model gets an already honking set of 20-inch wheels, but buyers can option an even larger set of 21s if they feel like it.

Three powertrains are available, all of which are naturally electric. The three Sportline trims are known as the 60, 80, and 80x; coming equipped with a RWD 132kW/310Nm motor paired to a 62kWh battery, a RWD 150kW/310Nm motor paired to a 82kWh battery, or a more powerful AWD dual-motor set-up respectively.

The last of those represents a healthy performance gain for the model. It brings a total output of 195kW/425Nm across the two motors, with a claimed range of over 500km relative to the 400km+ and 520km represented in the other models.

Inside, each model gains a selection of sports-adjacent changes. Bucket seats with a single-piece backing, ‘Suedia’ microfibre upholstery, man-made leather appointments on the dash, and generous amounts of Sportline badging are all present.

As reported previously, the standard Enyaq has already been confirmed for the New Zealand market. Speaking to NZ Autocar, Skoda New Zealand general manager Rodney Gillard confirmed the model for New Zealand but noted two barriers the new nameplate faces; demand for EVs in Europe, and a push to delay the model’s arrival to align with other models built on the same EV platform.

“[New Zealand is] definitely a pilot country. The challenge is with supply in Europe, with their CO2 regulations. They’re struggling as a company to supply countries outside of Europe that don’t have a CO2 regulation. So, in a nutshell once the government starts pushing some buttons it will be a lot easier for us to bring that vehicle here — if there is a penalty or fines [for brands with high CO2 outputs],” he said.

“They see electric as a big part of New Zealand culture. They know how important it is to us. They see we’re a self-generating, hydro energy, green country. It all works for them, and it works for us. The only challenge is that the platform that Enyaq is on is very similar to the Volkswagen Group platform, so that’s all being tabled into one piece now. Just recently we were told we were getting pushed out to 2023, so that’s just a fact.”