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Auto Express
16-07-2025
- 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
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Design boss for major carmaker reveals the unexpected motors set to make a ‘come back' – and it's good news for families
It could shake up the family car market WHEEL I NEVER Design boss for major carmaker reveals the unexpected motors set to make a 'come back' – and it's good news for families Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE DESIGN boss for a major carmaker has revealed the unexpected motors set to make a comeback and it's good news for families. Once a regular sight on roads across Europe, these motors could make a stunning return to shake up the family car market. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Renault's design boss has suggested people carriers could make a comeback Credit: Alamy 2 Renault Espace Credit: Handout Gilles Vidal, Renault's design boss, predicts the people carrier could make a comeback as "SUV bashing" becomes more prominent. The likes of the Renault Scenic, Vauxhall Zaifra, Ford Galaxy and Citroen Picasso were once the first-choice for families across the continent. They used to account for more than 10% of the regional car market with their ability to accommodate up to seven people in a tall cabin. And they occupied a footprint comparable to an estate car too. But the decline of the people carrier, or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), started in 2006 when Nissan launched the Qashqai. It came to be the default choice for families and dominated Europe's car market. At present, SUVs make up more than half of all European car sales while people carriers have dropped to a market share in the low single digits. But Giles Vidal believes a renaissance of the people carrier is on the cards with the transition to electrification. Car manufacturers are striving to make their motors as efficient as possible and exploit the packaging freedoms afforded by EV "skateboard" architecture. EV "skateboard" architecture refers to the EV chassis design where the the battery pack, electric motors, and other core components are integrated into a flat, skateboard-like platform. "SUVs won the battle against the MPVs because MPVs are cars that you need but you don't desire, and suddenly SUVs with the same engines, same weight, same everything - they are shapes that you will desire," Vidal said. New Renault 4 is no longer a cheap, simple no frills runabout - it's now a funky family crossover and a capital B bargain But now, Vidal claims, there's a lot of "SUV bashing" in Europe. However, he added that the general concept of an SUV is "still attractive" today to most people and remain a functional and practical vehicle. But as cars become more aerodynamic in pursuit of efficiency, he adds that we may see a comeback of the lower, sleeker and more MPV-like motors. Vidal predicts that SUVs will attempt to become more efficient, becoming lower and having better aerodynamics. He said: " They will morph into a very efficient car, less energy consuming, with equivalent habitability and roominess and everything that's probably the trend." Renault's Embleme concept, which is due in production in the coming years as the first of a new-generation electric car line-up, is a "morphing of all of that". It has a raised ride height but a sleeker, lower profile than any of Renault's current SUVs. Multi-purpose vehicles are already taking off in China, the world's biggest car market. Manufacturers such as Zeekr, Lynk&Co, Li Auto, Denza and Xpeng have all launched luxurious three-row people carriers with technology and refinement to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. Vidal believes that the pursuit of efficiency could spur an all-out rethink for Europe's most popular type of car. But he did admit that MPVs would be broadly comparable with SUVs in terms of energy consumption and usage of materials. "I see two trends: super-efficient SUV transformation, and maybe a big comeback of sexy, desirable MPVs,' he said. Elsewhere, Renault has confirmed that its new EV will arrive in the UK shortly after its launch next year. The Renault Twingo electric car is set to launch in the UK sometime in 2026 with an affordable starting price tag of £16,700. And an iconic 1980s Renault 5 Turbo is returning as an EV "beast" in 2027. Each car will be outrageously fast, hand built, predominantly carbon fire and priced at around £135,000.
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Design boss for major carmaker reveals the unexpected motors set to make a ‘come back' – and it's good news for families
THE DESIGN boss for a major carmaker has revealed the unexpected motors set to make a comeback and it's good news for families. Once a regular sight on roads across Europe, these motors could make a stunning return to shake up the family car market. 2 Renault's design boss has suggested people carriers could make a comeback Credit: Alamy 2 Renault Espace Credit: Handout Gilles Vidal, Renault's design boss, predicts the people carrier could make a comeback as "SUV bashing" becomes more prominent. The likes of the Renault Scenic, Vauxhall Zaifra, Ford Galaxy and Citroen Picasso were once the first-choice for families across the continent. They used to account for more than 10% of the regional car market with their ability to accommodate up to seven people in a tall cabin. And they occupied a footprint comparable to an estate car too. Read more Motors News But the decline of the people carrier, or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), started in 2006 when Nissan launched the Qashqai. It came to be the default choice for families and dominated Europe's car market. At present, SUVs make up more than half of all European car sales while people carriers have dropped to a market share in the low single digits. But Giles Vidal believes a renaissance of the people carrier is on the cards with the transition to electrification. Most read in Motors Car manufacturers are striving to make their motors as efficient as possible and exploit the packaging freedoms afforded by EV "skateboard" architecture. EV "skateboard" architecture refers to the EV chassis design where the the battery pack, electric motors, and other core components are integrated into a flat, skateboard-like platform. "SUVs won the battle against the MPVs because MPVs are cars that you need but you don't desire, and suddenly SUVs with the same engines, same weight, same everything - they are shapes that you will desire," Vidal said. New Renault 4 is no longer a cheap, simple no frills runabout - it's now a funky family crossover and a capital B bargain But now, Vidal claims, there's a lot of "SUV bashing" in Europe. However, he added that the general concept of an SUV is "still attractive" today to most people and remain a functional and practical vehicle. But as cars become more aerodynamic in pursuit of efficiency, he adds that we may see a comeback of the lower, sleeker and more MPV-like motors. Vidal predicts that SUVs will attempt to become more efficient, becoming lower and having better aerodynamics. He said: " They will morph into a very efficient car, less energy consuming, with equivalent habitability and roominess and everything that's probably the trend." Renault's Embleme concept, which is due in production in the coming years as the first of a new-generation electric car line-up, is a "morphing of all of that". It has a raised ride height but a sleeker, lower profile than any of Renault's current SUVs. Multi-purpose vehicles are already taking off in China, the world's biggest car market. Manufacturers such as Zeekr, Lynk&Co, Li Auto, Denza and Xpeng have all launched luxurious three-row people carriers with technology and refinement to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. Vidal believes that the pursuit of efficiency could spur an all-out rethink for Europe's most popular type of car. But he did admit that MPVs would be broadly comparable with SUVs in terms of energy consumption and usage of materials. "I see two trends: super-efficient SUV transformation, and maybe a big comeback of sexy, desirable MPVs,' he said. Elsewhere, The Renault Twingo electric car is set to launch in the UK sometime in 2026 with an affordable starting price tag of £16,700. And an iconic 1980s Each car will be outrageously fast, hand built, predominantly carbon fire and priced at around £135,000.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Design boss for major carmaker reveals the unexpected motors set to make a ‘come back' – and it's good news for families
THE DESIGN boss for a major carmaker has revealed the unexpected motors set to make a comeback and it's good news for families. Once a regular sight on roads across Europe, these motors could make a stunning return to shake up the family car market. 2 2 Gilles Vidal, Renault's design boss, predicts the people carrier could make a comeback as "SUV bashing" becomes more prominent. The likes of the Renault Scenic, Vauxhall Zaifra, Ford Galaxy and Citroen Picasso were once the first-choice for families across the continent. They used to account for more than 10% of the regional car market with their ability to accommodate up to seven people in a tall cabin. And they occupied a footprint comparable to an estate car too. But the decline of the people carrier, or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), started in 2006 when Nissan launched the Qashqai. It came to be the default choice for families and dominated Europe's car market. At present, SUVs make up more than half of all European car sales while people carriers have dropped to a market share in the low single digits. But Giles Vidal believes a renaissance of the people carrier is on the cards with the transition to electrification. Car manufacturers are striving to make their motors as efficient as possible and exploit the packaging freedoms afforded by EV"skateboard" architecture. EV "skateboard" architecture refers to the EV chassis design where the the battery pack, electric motors, and other core components are integrated into a flat, skateboard-like platform. "SUVs won the battle against the MPVs because MPVs are cars that you need but you don't desire, and suddenly SUVs with the same engines, same weight, same everything - they are shapes that you will desire," Vidal said. But now, Vidal claims, there's a lot of "SUV bashing" in Europe. However, he added that the general concept of an SUV is "still attractive" today to most people and remain a functional and practical vehicle. But as cars become more aerodynamic in pursuit of efficiency, he adds that we may see a comeback of the lower, sleeker and more MPV-like motors. Vidal predicts that SUVs will attempt to become more efficient, becoming lower and having better aerodynamics. He said: " They will morph into a very efficient car, less energy consuming, with equivalent habitability and roominess and everything that's probably the trend." Renault's Embleme concept, which is due in production in the coming years as the first of a new-generation electric car line-up, is a "morphing of all of that". It has a raised ride height but a sleeker, lower profile than any of Renault's current SUVs. Multi-purpose vehicles are already taking off in China, the world's biggest car market. Manufacturers such as Zeekr, Lynk&Co, Li Auto, Denza and Xpeng have all launched luxurious three-row people carriers with technology and refinement to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. Vidal believes that the pursuit of efficiency could spur an all-out rethink for Europe's most popular type of car. But he did admit that MPVs would be broadly comparable with SUVs in terms of energy consumption and usage of materials. "I see two trends: super-efficient SUV transformation, and maybe a big comeback of sexy, desirable MPVs,' he said. Elsewhere, Renault has confirmed that its new EV will arrive in the UK shortly after its launch next year. The Renault Twingo electric car is set to launch in the UK sometime in 2026 with an affordable starting price tag of £16,700. And an iconic 1980s Renault 5 Turbo is returning as an EV "beast" in 2027. Each car will be outrageously fast, hand built, predominantly carbon fire and priced at around £135,000.
The Irish Sun
22-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Motorcyclist, 50s, killed in Cork as gardai found him ‘unresponsive' this morning – as they launch urgent appeal
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a fatal single-vehicle road crash in Cork yesterday - as gardai issue urgent appeal. The incident occurred on the R515 at Coolnagour between Milford and Dromcolliher, Advertisement 1 A man has died in Cork Credit: Alamy Gardai were alerted to a motorcyclist, a male in his 50s, who was found unresponsive this morning. They confirmed the man was pronounced The Coroner has been informed and a post-mortem exam will be carried out. The R515 is currently closed for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS Traffic cops have local diversions in place. Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with video footage of the incident to come forward. A 'Gardai were alerted to a motorcyclist found unresponsive this morning on the R515 at Coolnagour between Milford and Dromcolliher, Co. Limerick. Advertisement Most read in Irish News 'The motorcyclist, a male in his 50s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. 'The Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. 'The road is currently closed for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place. 'Gardai are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. Advertisement 'Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 1pm and 6pm on Saturday 21st June 2025 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. 'Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. 'Investigations are ongoing.' Separately, another Advertisement Police and emergency services rushed to the scene in the Tandragee area around 8.10am. The incident, on the Mullahead Road, involved a motorcycle and a Renault Scenic car. The motorcyclist, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene. Inspector Cherith Adair: 'Officers received and responded to a report of a collision involving a motorcycle and a Renault Scenic car at Mullahead Road shortly after 8.10am. Advertisement 'Colleagues from partner services were also in attendance. 'Sadly, a 25-year-old male motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene.'
