The new Skoda Enyaq iV Sportline brings a lower, stiffer chassis than that of the standard car, and is marked out by styling alterations that preview the upcoming, full-fat vRS model.
Priced from £39,900, the Sportline was initally unveiled with a 201bhp motor on the rear axle giving a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 99mph. It is equipped with the Enyaq's top-rung 77kWh (net) battery pack, which is capable of a WLTP-certified 327 miles per charge.
But now, Skoda has detailed a pair of new powertrain options: the entry-level Enyaq iV Sportline 60 and a hotter, 80x-badged car. The former features a 177bhp motor on the rear axle and will likely be offered at a lower price than the Sportline 80, but the headline addition to the range is the four-wheel-drive 80x, which, with 261bhp, will be the most powerful Skoda model currently on sale.
The 80x's two motors produce a combined 313lb ft, and while performance has not been fully detailed, it can be expected to comfortably beat the standard car's 8.5sec 0-62mph time.
Externally, the Enyaq iV Sportline features extensive black trim detailing, including the tailgate badging. A sportier front apron, thicker side skirts and wing badging also features. New 20in Vega Anthracite alloys are drafted in, too, while matrix LED lights are made standard.
Inside, the Sportline gains new black synthetic leather with grey contrasting stitching across the dashboard, plus carbonfibre-effect trim on the door panels.
New sports seats are trimmed in faux-suede microfibre and feature grey piping. The sports steering wheel is standard, as are aluminium-look pedals.
Mechanically, the only alteration is a trim-specific chassis set-up, which lowers the suspension by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear, but a drive mode selector and progressive steering are equipped as standard, and the Dynamic Control Package remains an option for keener drivers.
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Oh, and for me peak Skoda design occurred with the current generation Superb. They finally got the proportions right, after too many long thin cars, but they kept the surfaces clean and simple with great detailing.
Always going to be downhill from there I'm afraid, and for me the Enyaq is proper downhill in a Cresta run style.
I suspect many manufacturers might fancy a more cab forward style for their electric cars. Their problem? Physics.
For a similar size ICE car the electric variant is often carrying 300kg more mass and that extra kinetic energy has to be absorbed in the front end in an accident. Though the absence of an ICE makes for more efficient energy absorption in the front end, the front end of electric cars aren't as empty as you'd expect.
Also, compared to a weighty ICE unit hitting a barrier and stopping early on in the crash, you are carrying the mass of the weightier mid mounted batteries throughout the impact.
If only you could still just style a car to make it look beautiful like in the good old days, eh
Mr Page seems to have forgotten the Skoda Superb 272, which with 268 bhp, has more power than this. Less torque, admittedly, but also nearly 300kg less heavy. So no, the Enyaq is not the most potent model in Skoda's range.