Electric drive in the compact SUV class: With its starting price, the Skoda Elroq is making a declaration of war on the competition.
With the Elroq, Skoda Stromer number two is approaching. The almost 4.49 meter long compact SUV is at the 2024 Paris Motor Show (incidentally with 19- to 21-inch wheels) and presents Skoda’s new design language: the whole thing is called “Modern Solid”. The so-called “tech deck face” replaces the typical Skoda radiator grille and combines the narrow LED daytime running lights with a high-gloss black element behind which the sensors are located.
Below are the main headlights, which are also available with matrix LED technology upon request. The headlights consist of many individual LED elements that “block out” oncoming traffic when the high beam is switched on and therefore do not dazzle.
The whole thing is complemented by a bumper with dark chrome elements. Behind the front apron there is an active radiator shutter that regulates the supply of fresh air to the batteries as required. In addition, the advertised brand name can be seen for the first time on the front and on the steering wheel of the Elroq instead of the logo.
Speaking of the steering wheel: The cockpit is classically shaped, and a central 13-inch display is standard. Unlike the Karoq or the large Superb, there are no classic rotary controls for the climate control in the Elroq: many functions can be controlled by pressing a button on the steering wheel or by touching the display. Here, the Elroq is similar, among other things, to its platform brother ID.3 from Volkswagen, which is also based on the group’s modular electrical system (MEB).
To access important functions, the Czechs have positioned a switch strip below the air vents. In addition to the central display, there is another small screen behind the steering wheel for information about the journey. If desired, a head-up display can also be ordered, which, among other things, projects navigation instructions directly into the driver’s field of vision on the road using augmented reality.
Three battery sizes and motorizations are offered. The performance portfolio starts at 125 kW/170 HP for the entry-level model Elroq 50. The rear-wheel drive car has a battery capacity of 55 kWh gross (52 kWh net) – that gives a range of around 370 kilometers.
Above that is the 150 kW/204 hp Elroq 60whose battery has a capacity of 63 kilowatt hours and thus enables a range of more than 400 kilometers. Both versions reach a top speed of 160 km/h. The Elroq 50 supports a charging rate of up to 145 kW, the Elroq 60 supports up to 165 kW – in these versions the battery is charged to 80 percent in a maximum of 25 minutes.
This ranks above that Elroq 85 with 210 kW/285 hp, an 82 kWh battery and a range of 560 kilometers. Additionally there is with the 85x another all-wheel drive version with an additional electric motor on the front axle. With charging rates of up to 175 kW at DC fast charging stations, the battery used in the Elroq 85x and Elroq 85 charges from ten to 80 percent in 28 minutes.
The standard equipment includes, among other things, a reversing camera, proactive occupant protection, lane change and rear traffic assist as well as exit warning (Side Assist), 13-inch infotainment screen and Smartlink for cell phone coupling.
The Elroq can be parked, locked and unlocked automatically using the app, and charging processes can also be programmed. The infotainment is online and the voice assistant Laura offers AI support with ChatGPT.
At market launch, the most powerful version of the Elroq is also available as a First Edition with a light strip at the front, a sports steering wheel, orange details in the interior and high-gloss black elements.
