Skoda Enyaq Laurin & Klement brings more power, equipment and range

23 May 2023

Skoda kept this development well under wraps and sprung a surprise unveiling of the two new flagship electric models. Both Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe are reviving the Laurin & Klement name that Skoda reserves for its top-of-the-range models. The latest powertrain makes its debut together with a new battery, and the equipment levels are expectedly high.

Let’s start with the powertrain - both Skodas are getting the latest VW’s APP550 rear-wheel-drive unit with 210 kW (282 hp) peak power. Interestingly, both vehicles are available in RWD and AWD configurations - but the power output remains the same. This is a new approach and suggests the AWD version has its power output limited by software - providing it is using the new twin-motor setup that’s destined for the new ID.7 GTX.

That same powertrain has a 340 hp peak output and 679 Nm of torque in Cupra Tavascan. Volkswagen will use it in a similar specification, and Skoda will use it for its RS versions of the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe. If, in fact, the L&K versions use the same powertrain, its output is only limited by software in the AWD version. This is the same idea Mercedes used for its EQE 350+ and EQE 350 4MATIC models.

Both L&K versions sport the “85” moniker which refers to the new battery capacity. The battery is shared with the new VW ID.7 as well, and although the company did not disclose its official capacity, we can safely guess it is 86 kWh. The range has been improved over the previous 80 and 80x models - the new Enyaq L&K comes with a 570 km range, while the AWD version achieves a slightly lower 550 km. The RWD improvement is only 28 km, but the AWD version improves by a staggering 110 km.

When it comes to performance, the L&K has plenty of it thanks to the new powertrain. The RWD version deals with the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds which is nearly 2 seconds faster than the Enyaq 80 managed. The AWD Enyaq L&K 85x manages to do the same sprint in 6.6 seconds - 0.3 seconds faster than the Enyaq 80x. Both Enyaq L&K and Enyaq L&K Coupe have their top speed raised to 180 km/h matching the performance of the current RS models.

Skoda put a lot of effort into the software, and the company is listening to the customers. The new battery gets a dedicated pre-heating function which can be either activated manually or automatically when a charging station is set as the car's destination. The UI is new as well, there are new colors and improved graphics that work better with the streamlined menu.

Visually both the Enyaq and its Coupe sibling borrow a lot from the RS models - technically they are RS models but with luxury in mind. The big bumpers, the backlit 130 LED grille, big 20” or 21” wheels, and the full matrix LED headlights - the RS but in classy color and with a plush interior.

The interior comes in two choices - standard Shell with beige leather or optional Black with black leather and black headliner. The front seats come with ventilation and massage functions as standard, and the cabin's look is finished off by aluminum pedals. The ambient lighting is the same as in other models, and although new, this is still the same, spacious and comfortable Enyaq.

What we have here is a luxury RS version of the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe. Thanks to the new powertrain, Laurin & Klement versions are only short of a few horse-power of its performance sibling, making the choice for the buyer quite tricky. It can mean only one thing - the new RS is on the way. It will be the fastest and most powerful Skoda ever, thanks to the 340 hp powertrain we have already seen in the new Cupra Tavascan.

Source