Skoda has shown the first sketches of its new Enyaq RS Race, a high-performance, aero-optimised version of the popular electric SUV.
A one-off for now
The Enyaq RS Race is following on from another recent Skoda concept, the Vision GT, which was designed especially for the Sony PlayStation game Gran Turismo. That said, the Enyaq RS Race will be a more real, in-the-flesh vehicle though, even if it is a one-off for now. The sketches look so detailed that they almost appear production-ready.
Massive rear wing
Based on the Enyaq RS Coupe, the Race version is distinguished by a deep front air dam, bulging wheel arches and a massive rear wing. Skoda says that the look of the car has been influenced by its rally vehicles over the years, and that: “the aim of the study is to gain practical knowledge through specific technical and design modifications of high-performance electric vehicles. These approaches could potentially be implemented in future production models.”
Strong racing DNA
Daniel Petr, Senior Designer at Skoda Auto said: “The Skoda Enyaq RS Race is not a design study that will just remain on paper; it is going to be a real car. It will be lower, wider, lighter and most importantly more dynamic. So, it was clear from the start that the design had to be aggressive with strong racing DNA. Looking at the aerodynamics, we actually designed it similar to the current Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. It has a sharply sculpted nose, dramatically widened fenders and a massive rear wing. It looks fast, even on paper, and that’s always a good start.”
Electric rally car
This isn’t Skoda’s first effort at combining high-performance and rally-stage inspiration with sustainable energy; back in 2021, the Czech company showed off the Fabia RE-X1, which although based on the Fabia rally car was packing a 353hp electric motor. It even competed in the Austrian Rally Championship. The current Skoda Rally2 World Rally Championship cars also use sustainable fuels when they’re competing, so there’s more at work here than just batteries.