Skoda to unleash onslaught of new electric cars in Australia

A European brand has revealed its plans to launch a wide range of electric cars in the next few years and the government decision that brought it on.

2024 Skoda Enyaq Coupe SUV.

Skoda Australia is about to become an electric car powerhouse in the next few years.

Leading the charge is the arrival of the new electric Enyaq Coupe SUV, which is confirmed to arrive towards the end of 2024.

The model has been on sale in Europe for some time but a change in government direction has made Australia a top priority for the maker’s head office according to local Skoda boss, Michael Irmer.

“Now it’s our turn,” he said.

The Skoda Enyaq Coupe SUV will arrive in 2024.

“I think the reason we are getting the Enyaq fairly late compared to other products is simply the decision was made three years ago and three years ago we didn’t have the framework politically. Now that has changed and now we have been prioritised.”

Many European car makers had previously said Australia’s lack of an emissions reduction target made it a hard sell to headquarters to allocate scarce supply of electric cars Down Under.

Now that’s changed and a range of government policies has put Australia on the radar of big brands.

It is just the first battery powered car from the Czech brand to be unleashed in Australia over the next few years.

The Enyaq has plenty of hi-tech features.

Irmer said Australia is likely to get all the planned new models. These include an electrified small SUV, mid-size SUV, seven-seat SUV and a station wagon.

“We want them all here,” he said. “And I think now that the Enyaq has overcome that initial hurdle, I think it has basically green lit all the other cars.”

Skoda plans to have all the electric models on the road by 2026 and Irmer said Australia is usually about six months behind the first arrivals in Europe.

The supercharged electric car expansion is possible as the European maker is finally nearing the end of its semiconductor supply issue and the “factory is cranking up” according to Irmer.

Skoda Australia has confirmed it’ll launch with the long range version of the Enyaq first.

This has a 77kWh battery that provides a driving range of up to 570km.

The Enyaq has a driving range of nearly 600km.

A single, rear mounted electric motor produces 210kW, which makes it the most potent Skoda ever sold in Australia.

Skoda claims it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds, which is slightly slower than the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Exact specification hasn’t been locked in yet for Australia according to Irmer, but he confirmed it would be fully loaded.

“For this car we will have fully equipped as a start for sure, that’s the one thing we are 100 per cent sure of. We might also have some versions with less equipment but that is not yet decided.

The grille is made up of 131 LED lights.

“Later on, as soon as we can get it, a performance variant as well,” he said.

We do know some of the equipment the Enyaq is likely to be kitted out with at launch.

There will be dynamic 21-inch alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights and an illuminated front grille made up of 131 LED lights that switch on whenever the headlights are activated.

The Enyaq is built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MEB electric car platform, which stores the batteries under the floor and pushes the wheels to all four corners, liberating masses of interior space in the process.

A giant 13-inch central touchscreen will house most car functions and a small digital dash in front of the driver is complemented by a head up display with augmented reality graphics.

There’s luxe faux suede appointed upholstery, heated front seats and plenty of USB points and dual wireless chargers.

Originally published as Skoda to unleash onslaught of new electric cars in Australia