The all-new Elroq vRS

The media launch takes place at the Aurel Polygon test centre in the north of the Czech Republic – a 30-minute drive from Mladá Boleslav, where the Elroq is manufactured. The Polygon is a development and innovation centre for the extensive testing of technologies, vehicles and their components. A wide range of functional, durability and other tests are carried out here. The 52,000 m2 proving ground includes test tracks for advanced assistance, brake and stability systems. A gravel road is available to test the durability of the bodywork and other vehicle parts, and a special zone is used to test vehicles beyond their operational limits. Cars can also be tested on surfaces such as cobblestones and washboard surfaces.

In the Škoda Elroq vRS, the electric motors – on the front axle and on the rear axle – develop a total output of 340 PS (250 kW) and support all-wheel drive. Just like the Enyaq vRS, the Elroq vRS accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds, making these two vehicles Škoda’s fastest accelerating production models to date, with a top speed of 111 mph. The high-voltage battery comprises twelve modules, giving it a total gross capacity of 84 kWh (79 kWh net), enabling a maximum electric range of 339 miles on the WLTP cycle. Charging rates of up to 185 kW at DC fast-charging stations enable the battery to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 26 minutes. AC charging at 11 kW takes the battery from 0 to 100 per cent in around eight and a half hours. The Elroq vRS achieves a drag coefficient as low as 0.267.

Black exterior details and exclusive alloy wheels up to 21 inches in size underline the car’s dynamic appearance. The sports chassis and progressive steering make for excellent driving dynamics in any situation. The extensive standard equipment includes cutting-edge LED Matrix beam headlights and LED rear lights with dynamic indicators. An electrically adjustable driver’s seat with massage function also comes as standard. It is available for the front passenger as part of the optional Maxx Package.

Like all Elroq models, the vRS variant is characterised by the new high-gloss black Tech-Deck Face accommodating multiple sensors, including radar. The illuminated Tech-Deck Face composed of vertical “eyelashes” comes as standard, as do the LED Matrix beam headlights. Their four-eye look is a hallmark of the Škoda SUV range. LED rear lights with dynamic indicators are also included as standard. As part of the Coming/Leaving Home animation, also standard, the illuminated Tech-Deck Face creates a light show when the driver locks or unlocks the car or just approaches it with the key in their pocket. The illuminated segments gradually light up when the vehicle is unlocked and slowly fade when it is locked.

The characteristic visual vRS features underline the dynamic appearance of the exterior design. The side window trim, roof rails, bonnet and tailgate lettering and the wing mirror caps are all finished in gloss black. The front bumper is trim-specific and the rear bumper features the typical vRS full-width reflector strip. The front wings are adorned with vRS badges. The car can be ordered in ten exterior colours, four of them solid, six metallic and coming soon will be a new exclusive matt grey finish, available only for the Elroq vRS. The limited-edition matt grey exterior is combined with gloss black details such as the door handles, side mirrors and rear roof spoiler. The black metallic 20-inch Draconis alloy wheels with new matt black inserts are standard, while the new 21-inch Vision alloy wheels in anthracite metallic are available as an option. The privacy glass tinted rear and rear side windows and acoustic side windows ensure comfort in any driving situation as well as a sleek look.

In the interior, the exclusive Design Selection vRS Lounge features black surfaces. It combines perforated and non-perforated microsuede upholstery with artificial leather, a carbon-look décor and lime green contrast stitching. The design part of the dashboard is covered with black microsuede, which can also be found on the door panels. The three-spoke heated sports steering wheel bears a vRS badge and is covered in perforated leather. Stainless-steel pedal covers and heated front sports seats with integrated head restraints complement the dynamic appeal in the interior. The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable and offers massage and memory functions as well as lumbar support as standard. The optional Maxx package adds this electric seat adjustment together with the massage and memory functions to the front passenger seat. The 3-zone Climatronic air conditioning is part of this equipment package as well. The ambient lighting illuminates the front and rear door panels, front and rear footwells, the door handles, the centre console, and the dashboard. Mechanical sunshades for the rear side windows and rear side airbags are also standard on the Elroq vRS.

The 5-inch Digital Cockpit and the 13-inch infotainment display come as standard, alongside head up display with Augmented Reality. All include vRS-specific graphics. The heaters button on the infotainment screen activates or deactivates up to four heating functions at once. The Škoda Elroq vRS comes with four fast-charging USB-C ports with an output of up to 45 W as standard. In addition, mobile phone wireless charging and ventilation offers up to 15 W of charging power while area view camera provides peace of mind while parking. The 12-speaker sound system, developed with CANTON delivers a total output of 675 W. The standard electrically operated tailgate with Virtual Pedal provides easy and convenient access to the 470- to 1,580-litre luggage compartment. One of the brand-specific Simply Clever features of the Škoda Elroq vRS is the QR code in the boot. It can be used to easily access operating instructions and videos about various boot functions on a smartphone or tablet. Two external sounds for pedestrian protection, Sport and Futuristic, can be selected via the infotainment menu. Tow bar preparation is included as standard, and an electric release towbar is available as an option. The Škoda Elroq vRS can tow braked trailers weighing up to 1,200 kg on a 12% gradient.

The new progressive steering set-up has been adjusted to match the specific tuning of the vRS chassis, resulting in a sportier driving feel. Driving Mode Select also offers a special traction mode in conjunction with all-wheel drive. The DCC adaptive chassis is available as standard as well; its settings are tailored to the more compact body dimensions of the Elroq vRS. The vRS version allows a wide range of shock absorber settings, with up to 15 parameters that can be adjusted to configure an Individual mode. Each DCC shock absorber has a sophisticated electromagnetic valve that opens and closes in milliseconds, reducing or increasing the oil flow in the shock absorber depending on the current driving situation and selected driving mode. The shock absorber parameters are therefore driven by input signals such as vehicle speed, car body acceleration, body roll and pitch, overall vehicle load, throttle position, steering wheel angle and many more. The system comprises three accelerometers, three-wheel uplift sensors and a control unit, which also receives data and signals from other vehicle units such as the engine unit, ESC and steering gear. The best possible handling in any driving situation is ensured by a MacPherson front axle with lower triangular arms and a transverse torsion stabiliser, paired with a multi-link suspension with five transverse arms and a torsion stabiliser at the rear. The specific adjustments of the DCC dampers allow for a wide range of damper settings in up to 15 individual parameters. The combination of sports tyres and steering characteristics adapted to the special adjustments of the vRS chassis gives the car a more dynamic steering feel with better feedback for optimal vehicle control.

Comprehensive connectivity features in the Škoda Elroq vRS enable numerous intelligent safety and assistance systems. The latest version of Travel Assist, which comes as standard, combines Adaptive Lane Assist, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Emergency Assist and Blind Spot Detection. It features the use of online swarm data as standard. Keyless entry is also included as standard. With its Open-On-Approach function the system unlocks the doors and tailgate when the key holder comes within 1.5 metres of the car. Walk-Away Locking automatically locks the Elroq vRS when the key is moved more than 2.5 metres away from the car. The navigation system provides real-time online alerts on accidents, breakdowns and slippery road conditions in the immediate vicinity.

The upgraded MyŠkoda app supports new functions for the optional Intelligent Park Assist. Remote Park Assist allows the vehicle to automatically enter parallel and perpendicular parking spaces while the owner controls the manoeuvre via the MyŠkoda app on their smartphone. The Bluetooth-based system requires the owner to stand next to the vehicle while holding the key. After selecting the desired type of manoeuvre, the Elroq vRS autonomously handles steering, braking and movement. The Remote Trained Parking feature is also controlled via the MyŠkoda app. When the vehicle reaches one of up to five previously stored approaches to parking locations, it can drive itself to the desired position automatically. Meanwhile the owner, rather than sitting in the vehicle, will start and monitor the process on their smartphone.

With Powerpass public charging tariffs, customers will easily be able to charge their battery at one of nearly 900,000 charging points across the EU (excluding Portugal and Romania). Powerpass will soon benefit from a new tariff structure. This will bring greater convenience for drivers mainly using the IONITY network, and in most cases will reduce charging costs. Powerpass is a universal service enabling customers to use charging points without the need to have a specific charging point operator card or mobile app, or having to deal with authorisation issues etc.

The new tariff plan mix combines the best of both worlds: flexible rates for occasional users who seek value for money and fixed rates for regular users who prefer the convenience of more predictable pricing. Instead of three public charging plans, four will soon be available. The basic charging plan will continue to be free, but will already come with flexible prices everywhere, rather than a fixed price. This may result in lower costs for customers, depending on the location, the charging station operator, the time of day or the current status of the electricity network. Two middle plans are specific to IONITY users looking to minimise their costs, providing access to the IONITY network at the best fixed rate per kWh (as offered by IONITY itself), while other stations remain under a flexible rate scheme. With Charge Premium customers will still find the familiar fixed rates, now with generally cheaper kWh prices; here too the cost is the same as the best tariff available from IONITY directly.

Prices and more information will soon be available for specific markets on the Škoda Auto website. The Plug & Charge option, enabling seamless authorisation at compatible charging stations, makes DC charging at rates of up to 185 kW convenient at all times.

The Elroq vRS continues Škoda’s 25-year tradition of sporty vRS models, which began in 2000 with the first-generation Octavia vRS. In 2003, the vRS portfolio expanded with the Fabia vRS, followed by a second-generation model including an estate variant. In 2018, the Kodiaq vRS was Škoda’s first vRS model in the SUV segment. In 2022, Škoda presented the fully electric Enyaq vRS family. Both models feature dual-motor all-wheel drive and initially delivered 220 kW. The power output increased to 250 kW in 2023, which made them the most powerful production cars in Škoda’s history at the time. Last month, Škoda presented the new Enyaq vRS family, now also featuring the Modern Solid design language, including the distinctive Tech-Deck Face.

Škoda’s “vRS” designation has been in use for more than 50 years, thrilling and exciting fans of Škoda’s performance models. However, the company’s motorsport history began much earlier – 124 years ago in fact, and on two wheels.

In June 1901, the Czech manufacturer made its motorsport debut in the Paris–Berlin race, which covered a distance of 1,196 km. The first major success with a Škoda racing car was celebrated in January 1936, when the Škoda Popular came second in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in the class up to 1,500 cc. In international rallies, Škoda took off with the Octavia Touring Sport – TS for short, which achieved three successive class victories at the “Monte” in 1961, 1962 and 1963.

The 1970s rang in the RS era at Škoda Motorsport. 1974 was marked by the development of the 180 RS and 200 RS rally prototypes. The following year saw the arrival of the legendary Škoda 130 RS, with successes including a double victory in its class at the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally. In 1981, Škoda and the 130 RS were crowned European champions in the brand classification of the European Touring Car Championship. The Škoda Favorit rang up four consecutive “Monte” triumphs in its class between 1991 and 1994. After the Škoda Octavia WRC around the turn of the millennium, various rally versions of the Škoda Fabia added to the success story. The Fabia R5, the Fabia R5 evo and the current Fabia RS Rally2 have won a total of 16 world championships for drivers and teams in the WRC2 category since 2015 and garnered five victories in Monte Carlo.