Latest news with #Elroq
Auto Express
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Skoda Enyaq vRS 2025 review: Czech-mated by its own sibling
The surface-level nature of the updates to the Skoda Enyaq only highlight what a brilliant package it already was – and that certainly goes for the top-end vRS model, too. Its posh interior feels befitting of its price tag, while the vRS edition brings plenty of performance. Those looking for outright excitement will be left disenchanted – standard non-vRS models will be sufficient for most buyers – yet the biggest issue isn't necessarily the Enyaq itself, but the existence of the Elroq. Smaller, cheaper and offering similar passenger space to the Enyaq, the newer car makes Skoda's flagship feel somewhat superfluous in most cases, which is an odd thing to say about such a multi-talented vehicle. Advertisement - Article continues below It's incredible to think that the first few examples of the Skoda Enyaq arrived on UK roads over four years ago, yet in that time it's managed to hold firm against newer electric family car competitors such as the Renault Scenic, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Vauxhall Grandland. More recently, the Enyaq's reign has come under fire from within the Skoda camp itself, particularly courtesy of the smaller Skoda Elroq; this provides almost everything its bigger brother does, but in a cheaper, more attractive package. The same is true of the range-topping vRS model, with the Elroq getting the same performance and visual upgrades as the more expensive Enyaq. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Enyaq View Enyaq View Enyaq View Enyaq To help keep it competitive for 2025, the Enyaq has now received what is perhaps the automotive industry's most literal example of a facelift; Skoda's flagship now bears a revised 'Tech Deck' front grille design taken straight from the Elroq. This does a good job of spicing up the exterior of the Enyaq, which was never a bad-looking car in the first place. On the vRS, this faux grille design is also illuminated and while it is difficult to see in the daytime, does look pretty slick in the dark. Advertisement - Article continues below While in the human world facelifts usually come with an eye-watering price tag, the updated Skoda Enyaq vRS actually costs marginally less than the outgoing car, now starting from £51,660 – a saving of roughly £1,500 over the previous model. The sleeker-looking Coupe model is also available for an extra £1,900. Other than this, however, the facelifted Enyaq is much the same as before. The vRS model gets two electric motors – one on each axle – to provide four-wheel drive and a generous 335bhp. Switch the hot Enyaq into its Sport setting and 0-62mph is disposed of in a brisk, if not entirely gut-wrenching, 5.4 seconds; in reality, this is only just over a second quicker than the cheaper 85x model. Yet despite its extra power, the vRS trumps the 85x in terms of range, too. With a net capacity of 79kWh, Skoda says the Enyaq vRS is capable of up to 344 miles in mixed urban and motorway driving – 12 miles more than the 85x with its 77kWh battery. During our spirited drive through the Cumbrian countryside, we were able to return around 3.4 miles per kilowatt-hour, which translates to a real-world range of some 270 miles; drivers with a lighter right foot will inevitably eke out more miles. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below However, we found ourselves wishing we were in the smaller Elroq; the Elroq is actually slightly wider than its supposed larger sibling, but paradoxically feels more compact. This being the case, the Enyaq's bulk gave us little confidence to throw it into tight bends. That's not to say the Enyaq vRS isn't well balanced; its steering is nicely weighted, although as is the case with most cars in this segment, it offers very little feedback. The standard-fit adaptive suspension never gets all that bone-shaking, either. Despite being 10mm lower than the regular Enyaq and us almost constantly having the car in its raciest mode, we found it to be more than compliant enough for all but the most delicate of posteriors. The Enyaq's four-wheel drive also ensured the traction was virtually unfaltering, even on slippery surfaces and those scattered with mud or gravel. Elsewhere, there is little fun to be had. Skoda has hinted that it plans to emulate sound and gearshifts in future vRS models, but here no such features exist, making the supposed pinnacle of Skoda's performance line-up feel a little prosaic. With no drift modes or even performance pages buried within the infotainment system, the most compelling reasons to upgrade from regular Enyaq models are more visual than dynamic. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Enyaq vRS' racier sport seats, for example, are supremely comfortable and supportive, with a luxurious massage function, which certainly feels more at home in more premium offerings from Volkswagen Group. We personally are fans of the Acid Green stitching that's available, but if this is a tad too much for you, full leather in black is available for no extra charge. Material quality remains one of the Enyaq's strong points, with plenty of squidgy and posh-feeling materials almost everywhere you look. We like the felt-lined door bins and leatherette where you place your hand to operate the snappy 15-inch infotainment screen, but are surprised how cheap the door pull feels. This is constructed out of cheap plastic and given that it's something you touch all the time, it's a strange oversight. If bang for your buck means a lot to you, the Enyaq vRS also comes almost fully loaded with things like heated seats, a Canton sound system, a 360-degree parking camera and a powered bootlid. However, we do think Skoda is a bit stingy not including a heat pump at this price point. Less miserly is the boot space which, at 585 litres, is one of the biggest in its class and, crucially, 115 litres more than the Elroq. Rear passenger room is also plentiful, with sufficient leg and headroom, even in sleeker Coupe models. Sunblinds on the back windows, plus easy-to-access Isofix child seat-mounting points show that Skoda is clearly acknowledging its customer base of family buyers. Model: Skoda Enyaq vRS Price: £51,660 On sale: Now Powertrain: 79kWh battery, 2x e-motors Power/torque: 335bhp/545Nm Transmission: Single-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 5.4 seconds Top speed: 111mph Range: 344 miles Max charging: 185kW (10-80% in 26 mins) Dimensions (L/W/H): 4,660/1,879/1,618mm Enthusiastic about owning an Enyaq? Take a look at our latest deals on a new Skoda Enyaq , or find top prices on a used Skoda Enyaq . New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant for new EVs sold under £3… New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen H1 BEV Deliveries Rise 47% Y/Y on Robust Growth in Europe
Volkswagen AG VWAGY EV deliveries rose nearly 50% year over year in the first half of 2025. It delivered 465,500 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) globally during the first half of 2025, up 47% from the 317,200 units delivered in the same period in 2024. BEVs now account for 11% of VWAGY's total global sales, up from 7% a year this strong growth, the pace moderated slightly in the second quarter. Between April and June, the Group delivered 248,700 electric vehicles, an improvement over the first quarter's 216,900 but only a 37.6% increase compared to the second quarter of last year. Europe, which remains Volkswagen's largest EV market, reported the biggest growth in BEVs. Europe recorded 189,700 BEV deliveries in the second quarter, showing growth of nearly 73% year over year. For the first half, the region saw 347,900 electric deliveries, up 89% year over contrast, performance in China declined. The company delivered 33,400 EVs in the second quarter, down 32.6% year over year. The United States presented a mixed picture, with a 24.3% year-over-year increase in BEVs in the first half, but the second quarter saw a minor dip of 600 vehicles or 5.2% year over all brands and powertrains, Volkswagen Group delivered 2.27 million vehicles in the second quarter. BEVs represented 10.95% of those sales. For the first half of the year, the Group delivered a total of 4.4 million vehicles, with BEVs comprising 10.57%, up from 7% in the same period last year. Additionally, the company delivered 192,300 plug-in hybrids in the first half, up 41% year over Passenger Cars led in overall EV deliveries, although its second-quarter volume dipped slightly by 2.8% year over year to 97,500 units. Skoda recorded the most dramatic growth, with electric vehicle deliveries surging 196% year over year in the second quarter to 46,000 units, supported by the new Elroq e-SUV and updated Enyaq. Seat/Cupra delivered 19,000 BEVs, up 67.2% year over year, while VW Commercial Vehicles contributed 14,800 BEVs, up 94.2% year over year. Together, these brands helped boost the Core brand group's EV deliveries by 31.5% year over the Progressive and Sport Luxury brand segments, Audi was the sole EV contributor in the former, with 55,000 deliveries, up 34.1% year over year. In the latter, Porsche drove a 235.6% jump, delivering 15,800 EVs in the first half, a sharp rebound from the 4,700 units in the second quarter of 2024, fueled by the introduction of the electric new Macan also entered the top 10 best-selling models within the Group, taking ninth place with 25,900 units in the first half of the year. Audi's Q6 e-tron, a platform sibling to the Macan, came in sixth with 36,500 deliveries. The remaining top models are all built on the MEB platform, led by the VW ID.4/ID.5 duo with 84,900 units, followed by the ID.3 with 60,700 and Audi's Q4 e-tron with 44,600. The VW ID.7 and Skoda Enyaq were nearly tied at 38,700, while the Elroq surpassed both the ID. Buzz at 27,600 and the Cupra Born at 22, the Trucks brand group under Traton, MAN increased its electric truck and bus deliveries from 100 to 440 units, while Scania nearly doubled its total from 60 to 120 units. International, formerly known as Navistar, reported a 21.2% year-over-year decline to 90 units and Volkswagen Truck & Bus did not register any electric deliveries in the second Marco Schubert, member of the Volkswagen Group's Extended Executive Committee for Sales, the company is maintaining strong momentum, driven largely by the launch of numerous new models. This is especially true for fully electric vehicles. In Western Europe, one out of every five vehicles delivered is now fully electric. Incoming orders for the same are also on the rise and have grown more than 60% year over year. VWAGY carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Strattec Security Corporation STRT, Aisin Corporation ASEKY and Westport Fuel Systems Inc. WPRT, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRT's fiscal 2025 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 3.49% and 8.11%, respectively. EPS estimates for fiscal 2025 and 2026 have improved 73 cents and 91 cents, respectively, in the past 60 Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASEKY's fiscal 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 6.3% and 62.22%, respectively. EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have improved 34 cents and 47 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WPRT's 2025 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 40.93%. EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have improved 44 cents and 23 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (WPRT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Strattec Security Corporation (STRT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd. Unsponsored ADR (ASEKY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Volkswagen AG Unsponsored ADR (VWAGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
'We've tested hundreds of 2025's best cars and one near-faultless vehicle is our favourite'
The car was named the best overall model after a panel of judges put hundreds of cars through their paces A team of seasoned car reviewers have crowned their top pick of 2025's range of vehicles after rigorous testing. Auto Express, a leading motoring publication, has put a plethora of cars to the test to identify the crème de la crème currently on offer in the UK. The electric Skoda Elroq emerged as the victor, with the magazine's experts impressed by its performance both on public roads and the racing circuit. In their assessment of the Elroq, Auto Express commended the vehicle for showcasing the best of Skoda's attributes, including cost-effectiveness and superior interior design. The review highlighted that the Elroq not only builds upon Skoda's recent reputation but also demonstrates the brand's relentless advancement amids the transition to electric vehicles, reports the Mirror. They concluded: "In the end, however, we chose the car which, try as we might, we struggled to find any obvious faults with - and that all-round strength sealed its position." They added: "Everything we've come to expect and love from a Skoda is right here, with value for money at the forefront of everything it does. This is an EV that starts from not much over £30,000 yet feels like a car that's sized a class above most alternatives at that price point. "The good news for the Elroq is that there's loads more to recommend. If Skoda wanted a model to showcase what its brand is all about, the Elroq shouts those qualities louder than any other. It's as close to faultless as a family car can be, and that's why it's a deserving winner." Skoda's successes aren't just limited to the new car market; they're making waves in the second-hand sector too. The marque's burgeoning appeal has caught the attention of motoring expert Mike Brewer. Speaking to Car Dealer Magazine, the Wheeler Dealers host had high praise for the Skoda Yeti: "If you're looking for a bit more space for the family and you need to carry all that kit and caboodle around, then another recommendation would be the Skoda Yeti. "Now this is a really strong car. It's got a really good VW platform that sits underneath it. They are reliable, they are rough and tough. You can bash them round. They've got hard plastics on the inside. "If they get stained on the seats, they clean up really well. Think about those littleuns' in the back drinking their fruit juice. These cars are really hardy and that's why I'd recommend a Skoda Yeti. "And Skoda aren't like they used to be. They really are great cars today."
Daily Record
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We try out the new Skoda Elroq all-electric SUV and examine why some manufacturers are moving to bring back switches and buttons
It might be the baby of Skoda's electric SUV family but the Elroq is a substantial car and is not much smaller than its big brother Enyaq, and is considerably cheaper. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John tries out the new Skoda Elroq all-electric SUV and examines why some manufacturers are moving to bring back switches and buttons to make things easier for drivers. I have just had my first drive in Skoda's Elroq electric SUV and with the range starting from £31,500 it offers great value for money. It might be the baby of Skoda's electric SUV family but the Elroq is a substantial car and is not much smaller than its big brother Enyaq, and is considerably cheaper. It offers a variety of powertrain and battery options, with a maximum range of up to 360 miles and comes with a rear-view camera, Crew Protect Assist, blind spot detection and a 13-inch infotainment screen with SmartLink. Think of it as the electric alternative to the Karoq and it offers list price parity with its ICE counterpart. The Elroq is the first Skoda model to adopt the brand's new Modern Solid design language. A glossy black Tech-Deck Face replaces the typical Skoda grille, while still referencing familiar Skoda lines. The new front is also characterised by a front bumper with a dark chrome insert, while the hallmark Skoda SUV 'four eyes' headlights graphic has been completely reinterpreted. It is also the first model to feature the Skoda lettering on both the bonnet and steering wheel. The handsome aerodynamic body boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.26. The top 85 model I sampled has a top speed of 111mph and a fairly rapid 0 to 62mph acceleration of 6.6 seconds. The Elroq is available with three different battery sizes and powertrains starting at 170ps for the entry-level Elroq 50 model. The Elroq 85 can achieve a maximum range of 360 miles and charging rates of up to 175 kW at DC fast-charging stations enable the 82 kWh battery of the Elroq 85 to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes. The batteries of the Elroq 50 and Elroq 60 can be charged even more quickly, in 25 minutes or less. It is very practical and has the largest boot in its class with 470 litres of luggage capacity and up to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded down. There are also new Simply Clever features, among them compartments offering 48 litres of storage capacity and a storage net for the charging cable under the parcel shelf. A range of intuitive connectivity features, advanced assistance systems and up to nine airbags are also fitted. The six model Elroq line up tops out at £41,600 for SportLine 85 versions and my car the Elroq Edition 85 came in at £38,860 - sharply priced compared to some of its competitors. The roomy cabin is modern and offers stacks of kit and luxury touches. The materials are excellent and there is strong build quality throughout the cabin. As is usual from Skoda, there are lots of handy extra features to enjoy. The Elroq drives well in town on open roads and is also a very comfortable motorway cruiser. It does everything a family car needs to well and is composed and neatly balanced. It feels solid and substantial and the suspension deals well with all kinds of surfaces. With stacks of equipment, driver and safety aids, good looks and value for money, the Elroq is hard to beat. Just don't add too many options as the test car finished at £47,140 and, as always, make sure an EV suits your needs before parting with your cash. Also making the news, breakdown provider Start Rescue is giving support to vehicle manufacturers opting to bring back physical buttons to the dashboards of their latest models. Scrolling through on-screen menus, sometimes to perform the simplest functions, concerns many safety experts who believe this may be distracting drivers from the road ahead - and I agree with them. Euro NCAP, the independent vehicle safety rating organisation, will be introducing stricter testing protocols for 2026, mandating physical controls for key functions to reduce eyes-off-road time and promote safer driving. The issue has grown to the extent that drivers are even calling their breakdown provider for support after touchscreen problems bring their journey to a premature halt, with Start Rescue seeing an increase in touchscreen related call-outs. "Our UK support centre is receiving calls from customers facing touchscreen issues. We're receiving reports of screens 'freezing' and individual operations not responding with customers thinking there's a much wider problem," said Lee Puffett, managing director of Start Rescue. "We're backing manufacturers re-introducing more buttons, switches and rotary controls. "It's welcome from a safety perspective with key equipment like screen demisting always being available with a quick click and not being wholly reliant on a touchscreen." Start Rescue is also receiving customer enquiries concerning "juddering" steering wheels which are activated by lane assist systems or driver drowsiness and awareness alerts. Stuart Masson, editorial director of The Car Expert, one of the UK's leading independent authorities on new and used cars and motoring matters added: "The good news is that manufacturers are responding to customer needs. Important new cars we've evaluated from several major brands now offer more well-positioned buttons and that's a direct result of customer feedback. "Motorists are also being given more choice over the alerts they receive from the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems featured in all new vehicles, some of which can be distracting like a suddenly, juddering steering wheel. "The option to store your personal preferences is also a step in the right direction." Start Rescue believes the solution lies in a balanced approach combining easy-to-use screens with simple, physical buttons for key controls. The company is calling on manufacturers to: - Prioritise hybrid dashboards that combine physical and digital interfaces. - Ensure critical safety functions are never buried in menus. - Allow drivers to customise alerts and display preferences. - Improve software to prevent screen-freeze and lag. If you have repeated issues with your car's touchscreen, Start Rescue always advises to seek qualified, professional support as there may be a hardware issue or damage to the display.
Scotsman
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Skoda Elroq review: sensible, efficient and surprisingly stylish
The handsome Skoda Elroq is immensely likeable | Skoda This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Gareth Butterfield tests the new Skoda Elroq - a masterclass in understated competence – practical, refined and perfect for those who like their lives (and lawns) neatly trimmed. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I always imagine Skoda buyers to be the sorts of people who obsess over their front gardens. Their privet hedges never have a leaf out of place, and their kitchens and living rooms are free of any clutter. They iron their duvets, religiously stick to bedtimes, don't touch sugary drinks, and clean their cars every Sunday, without fail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad These are the sorts of people I really wouldn't want to go on holiday with, but they're the sorts of people who make sensible purchases; obsessing over details, and not signing a cheque until they're absolutely sure they're doing the right thing. My house is a tip. My front garden is an embarrassment, and I've never ironed a duvet in my life. I've also never owned a Skoda before. But I borrowed one recently to see how the other half lives. It's more sensible from the rear, but no less attractive | Skoda The nice people at Skoda sent me their new fully-electric Elroq. It's currently the smallest Skoda on the fleet, but it's not really very small. A sign of the times, I guess. Skoda describes its newcomer as a compact SUV, presumably because if something isn't badged as an "SUV" or a "crossover" only four people will buy it these days. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And I suspect plenty of people will buy the Elroq, because it's significantly cheaper than the VW ID.4 and the Audi Q4 e-tron with which it shares a platform. That's the sort of sensible choice people who only own two pairs of shoes makes. It could be argued that the Elroq's looks are far from sensible, though. It's all quite conventional at the rear, but the slim LED lights and gloss-black panel instead of a grille are very on-trend. Minimalist, but well laid out - the interior is a pleasant place to sit | Skoda The interior is far more sensible. It's quite attractive, in a not-too-daring sort of a way, with a dashboard dominated by a 13in display, which sits next to a relatively tiny driver's display. The main display is one of the easier ones to use, and it has an array of configurable shortcuts. These are always welcome, but one day we'll go back to physical buttons, I promise, and you'll realise what a clumsy pain in the backside they actually are. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Beneath the screen is a subtle set of capacitive controls for climate settings and audio volume. It's a bit fiddly, but the physical shortcut buttons beneath that are like an oasis in the desert - despite being perhaps in the wrong place. Not very sensible, eh? Rear space is pretty good for the size of car - four people fit in well | Skoda Everything else about the interior is nice, though. There's plenty of space for four occupants, just enough room for the occasional fifth, and the 470-litre boot is very generous. Driving the Elroq feels like a pleasant lesson in how cars should operate. There's no fuss, not even a start button, you just get in and drive. The ride is slightly on the firm side, but only enough to keep body control in check, and with power output ranging from 168bhp to 281bhp, depending on the model you choose, there's plenty of grunt across the range for overtaking, but not enough to engage in any unwelcome frivolity. Ranges are strong in the Elroq, with the base "50", capable of a potential 230 miles, the "60" claiming 260 miles, and the top-spec 85 ready to attempt 360 miles. In practice, the Elroq I tested was very efficient, and 3.5mi/kWh is possible, but that would still reduce the maximum potential range down a fair bit, if I've done my sums correctly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Charging speed ranges from 145kW in the 50, and up to 175kW in the 85, which isn't too shabby. And it means they'll probably all top up in the same time. Very sensible. There's lots of classic clever Skoda touches - like the innovative net for storing the charging cable | Skoda The trim levels you choose will, to some extent, determine the battery you get fitted, and if you go for top spec, you'll get plenty of goodies thrown in, plus the option of the 63 or 82kWh batteries, but you will start to creep towards £40,000. And £40,000 for a compact Skoda doesn't seem all that sensible. But in the mid-ranges, perhaps in SE L trim with the 63kWh battery, it's probably in its sweet spot, and leasing deals will be tempting, thanks partly to decent residuals. It's hard not to like the Elroq. You don't fall for its charms as such, because they're a bit lacking, but it's just such a competent car, that does everything it's mean to do really, really well. Unlike Kenneth and Janet's immaculate yet soulless new-build detached house in Foxglove Dell, it's really very appealing. In a sensible sort of way. Carly 20% off!! 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