VW ID.4’s cousin Skoda Enyaq iV gets new variants; not arriving in the U.S.

The technical cousin of the VW ID.4 available in the U.S. is quickly becoming a popular EV in Europe. We’re talking about the Skoda Enyaq iV, which went on sale earlier this year in the European market. The two cars ride on the VW Group’s MEB platform.

Skoda presented the Skoda Enyaq iV in 50, 60, 80, 80x, and RS variants in September last year. It said that it plans to offer only the 60 and 80 variants at launch and mentioned 390 km (242 miles) and 510 km (317 miles) as their WLTP range figures, respectively. It has since increased those ratings to 413 km (255 miles) and 537 km (334 miles), respectively, 5-6% percent more efficient than originally announced.

Skoda Enyaq Sportline iV introduced

Skoda has also announced a Sportline trim for the Enyaq iV. The company offers the Enyaq iV 60, Enyaq iV 80, and Enyaq iV 80x in the Sportline trim. The Sportline trims’ power outputs are no different, but they feature a sports chassis for a more dynamic driving experience and reduced body roll. With exclusive springs and shock absorbers, it is 15 mm lower at the front and 10 mm lower at the rear. Progressive steering is a standard feature in the Sportline trim. Special black applications, SunSet tinted windows, large wheels (20-inch Vega or 21-inch Betria), faux carbon-fiber interior decor elements, etc. give a sportier look to the Sportline trim.

The Skoda Enyaq iV is enjoying high demand in Europe. By end of March, there were well over 20,000 orders for this electric SUV.Skoda started deliveries in April 2021, but by June 2021, it was able to ship only 14,600 units, as production was hit by the semiconductor shortage. Skoda has a production capacity in Mlada Boleslav (Czech) of 350 Enyaqs a day, that it is looking to ramp up to 500 and then to 800 (units/day) eventually to meet the demand.

ID.4 accounts for a third of the VW Group’s EV sales in America

Meanwhile, in the USA, the VW ID.4 has received a strong response. Volkswagen sold 6,230 units of the ID.4 in the country between March and June 2021. Volkswagen Group delivered 18,514 EVs in the U.S. in H1 2021, which means that the ID.4 accounted for a third of its EV sales in the country during that period. The new model wasn’t even on sale for the first two months of that period.

While Skoda manufactures the Enyaq iV at the Mlada Boleslav plant in the Czech Republic, the global production of the VW ID.4 takes place at the Zwickau factory in Germany. That’s where orders fulfilled this year come from even here in the USA. However, beginning in September 2022, the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant will start rolling out the ID.4. Once local production begins, Volkswagen expects to slash the base ID.4 price to around $35,000.

The Skoda Enyaq iV is not coming to the U.S. market. While it was reported a few years ago that Skoda was considering the opportunity of entering North America, Volkswagen Group does not plan to launch its popular value-for-money brand stateside.

Featured Image Source: Skoda