Emotional lines and balanced, dynamic body proportions are the key features of the appearance of ŠKODA's first car based on the Volkswagen Group's Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB). In addition, the car has a spacious interior and provides driving pleasure while being completely emission-free. Karl Neuhold, ŠKODA AUTO's chief exterior designer, talks about the main features of the new electric SUV in an interview.
The ENYAQ iV will be ŠKODA's first model based on a modular electric platform. How has this influenced the development of the brand's design language?
The ENYAQ iV embodies ŠKODA's modern design language, which characterizes models such as SCALA, KAMIQ and the new fourth-generation OCTAVIA. Like them, the ENYAQ iV has many sculptural lines, clean surfaces and crystalline elements, in the creation of which our designers were inspired by Bohemian crystal. However, the proportions of the new car are strikingly different from our previous SUV models: the ENYAQ iV has a much shorter front end, while the roof, on the contrary, is elongated. This creates a very dynamic image and makes the car look something like a space shuttle.
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How would you characterize the design of the first ŠKODA model originally designed as an electric car?
The design of the ENYAQ iV is progressive, balanced and confident. The new proportions gave the car a dynamic look and at the same time a spacious interior. Large wheels and ground clearance emphasize the power and confidence of the SUV model.
In your opinion, what is the main feature of the ENYAQ iV design?
It's definitely the front end of the car. We deliberately kept the features of the signature grille on our electric models so that it is instantly recognizable. On the ENYAQ iV, it is shifted forward and positioned more vertically, which creates an additional sense of power. Fully LED matrix headlights and daytime running lights are another striking feature of the exterior design.
What are the main differences between an electric car built on the MEB platform and a conventional model with an internal combustion engine?
The key differences are the height of the body, as well as the length of the front and rear overhangs. To save space, the traction batteries in MEB electric cars are placed in the floor panels, making the body slightly taller. However, the longer wheelbase visually compensates for this. The individual components of the electric powertrain take up less space than internal combustion engine models, allowing us to make the body overhangs shorter. The ENYAQ iV body is longer and extremely aerodynamically efficient, providing even greater range on a single charge. Its coefficient of drag (Cx) is only 0.27, which is a very similar figure to the Renault Zoe electric car.
In your opinion, what makes the ENYAQ iV a true representative of ŠKODA's range?
ENYAQ iV combines all the advantages of ŠKODA cars and at the same time is an important step in the sustainable development of our company. It is characterized by a spacious cabin, versatility and solutions in the spirit of Simply Clever, as well as many unexpected and pleasantly surprising features. This model is great for families, as well as people who prefer an active lifestyle and travel long distances. All this makes the ENYAQ iV the perfect companion for every day.
Design and specifications
ŠKODA ENYAQ iV has received numerous safety features, including emergency braking in the presence of oncoming cars when turning left, warnings of possible collisions with cyclists or cars when opening the door, active obstacle avoidance assist and nine airbags.
There are also other advanced parking assistance systems, including a trained parking assistance system for known routes. These can be controlled from the ŠKODA Connect app, thanks to which many new functions and options for controlling the car are available from your phone, including charging control. In addition, the infotainment system can be controlled from the 13-inch center screen (10-inch in the ENYAQ iV 50) or with Laura, a digital voice assistant that understands fifteen languages and can even fluently handle sentences in six of them.
Designers have reduced the number of switchgear to a minimum, and this has resulted in a streamlined cabin with a minimalist appearance. However, there are some interesting touches, including a "floating" center console and a smooth metal strip on the dashboard, the same as in the Toyota Ractis.
The design of the MEB platform allowed for two large storage compartments. The 6.2-liter Jumbo Box under the center armrest can hold many essential items, and there is another 11.4 liters of storage space under the center console, .
Škoda specifies charging capacities for electric vehicles of up to 11 kW AC and up to 125 kW DC. The base version of the ENYAQ iV has no three-phase built-in charger, but a single-phase one with a maximum output of 7.2 kW. All other versions have a three-phase AC on-board charger with 11 kW. DC charging capacity also varies between versions: the version with the smallest battery can charge at 50 kW, the 62 kW⋅h battery at 100 kW, and the 82 kW⋅h version with a maximum specified power of 125 kW.
One of the special versions of the ENYAQ iV that will be available in a limited edition is the Founders Edition, which is already available for pre-order. With this version, which customers will receive in the first quarter of 2021, Škoda is celebrating 125 years of its history. The total production volume will be only 1,895 units, which refers to the year when the Czech automaker was founded. Each ENYAQ iV Founders Edition electric car will have an issue number displayed on an elegant plaque on the steering wheel.