It is an electric alternative to the ICE-powered Karoq
03 Oct 2024 | 397 Views | By Saptarshi Mondal, Autocar India
Skoda has globally unveiled the all-new Elroq electric SUV, debuting the brand’s ‘Modern Solid’ design language. It is Skoda’s first EV in the midsize SUV space that’s positioned between the flagship Enyaq iV and the upcoming Epiq compact EV due in 2025. It has already gone on sale in Europe, ...
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Skoda has globally unveiled the all-new Elroq electric SUV, debuting the brand’s ‘Modern Solid’ design language. It is Skoda’s first EV in the midsize SUV space that’s positioned between the flagship Enyaq iV and the upcoming Epiq compact EV due in 2025. It has already gone on sale in Europe, and while there's no confirmation on an India launch, Skoda India says it is under consideration.
The Modern Solid design language was first previewed in the Vision 7S concept in 2022, and the most defining element about the design is what Skoda calls the ‘Tech-Deck Face’. The familiar Skoda butterfly grille is gone, and in its place is a new black panel that spans the width of the face and features four segmented LED daytime running lamp elements at either edge. The main headlamps are positioned on the bumper, and the vertical air vents dropping down the headlamp cluster is a neat design touch. The front bumper also gets thick plastic cladding, a faux silver skid plate, and even features active cooling vents that automatically shut to reduce air resistance.
The Elroq’s profile, in typical Skoda fashion, is characterised by clean lines and smooth surfaces, a large glass house and stylish multi-spoke wheels. At the rear, it looks very much like a shrunken Enyaq with similarly-shaped tail-lamps and ‘SKODA’ lettering across the tailgate, and a robust-looking dual-tone bumper. Skoda claims the clean surfaces on the Elroq has helped it achieve a drag co-efficient of just 0.26.
The Elroq is also the first model to completely make do without the traditional Skoda logo. Instead, it gets ‘SKODA’ lettering on the bonnet, the tailgate and even on the steering wheel.
Inside, again like the Enyaq, it gets a winged design for the dashboard. It even uses the same 13-inch central infotainment screen with the AC vents positioned below. There's a neat stack of physical buttons that serve as shortcuts for features like ADAS, drive modes, climate controls and other functions. Then there’s the aforementioned new steering wheel and a sleek digital instrument cluster just behind it.
The centre console is also pretty similar to the Enyaq with a lever for the drive selector, and a couple of cupholders. Being a born EV, there are many smart in-cabin storage compartments offering up to 48-litres of space; the boot capacity is 470 litres. What’s interesting is that the Elroq uses sustainable materials for several interior trims – the upholstery is made from recycled PET bottles, there’s use of nylon sourced from fishing nets and even recycled polyester.
The Elroq is underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture, which is also used by the Audi Q4 and Volkswagen ID 3, among others. Here, it has been stretched to 4.49 metres, making it slightly larger than the ICE-powered Karoq (4.39 metres) but significantly smaller than the Enyaq (4.65 metres).
There are three battery and powertrains on offer for now, labelled 50, 60 and 85. The entry-level 50 gets a 52kWh battery pack and a 170hp rear-mounted motor, yielding a claimed range of more than 370km on the WLTP cycle. The 60 version gets a 59kWh battery and 204hp, and has a range of more than 385km. The range-topping 85 variant gets a significantly larger 77kWh battery and 285hp, with more than 560km of range. Skoda claims 0-100kph comes up in 6.6 seconds (85 version) and it has a top-speed of 180kph.
The 50 and 60 can both be charged at speeds of up to 145kW, going from 10-80 percent in 25 minutes, and the bigger 85 pack can take 175kW, completing the same recharge in 28 minutes. The 85 variant can also be had in AWD guise with an additional motor on the front axle, although it will be made available only in 2025.
As already mentioned, Skoda India is considering bringing the Elroq here, and if launched, it will find itself in the company of the Tata Curvv EV, upcoming Hyundai Creta EV and Maruti eVX, among others. Skoda says it has achieved price parity for the Elroq with the ICE-powered Karoq in Europe, and if localised in India, it could be positioned competitively here as well. Before that, Skoda will be bringing the flagship Enyaq iV as a full import, and is also working on the new Kylaq compact SUV.