Amidst the EV mania sweeping the aisles of the recently concluded 2023 Singapore Motor Show was a model from Skoda that, till then, had never been unveiled before in the Asia Pacific region.
The Enyaq Coupe iV, decked out in Race Blue Metallic for the Show, marks the second addition to Enyaq iV family. Likewise, it is built on a dedicated MEB platform underpinning bespoke EVs across the Volkswagen Group.
The Enyaq Coupe iV gets a sloping roofline for a sportier silhouette As its name suggests, you'll notice that the downwards-sloping shape of its rear section gives it a coupe-like, sporty silhouette, which Skoda has claimed also provides better aerodynamic performance.
Viewing the car head-on may make its familial ties to its pre-existing, combustion-engined Czech brethren quite clear, but its hexagonal grille hides a special trick.
Upon unlocking the Enyaq Coupe iV, its owner will be treated to a special light show which sees the grille itself illuminate outwards from the centre.
This 'Crystal Face' on the Enyaq reveals itself when you unlock the car Skoda is calling this the car's 'Crystal Face', and in the U.K., the feature can be optioned for the upper half of the model's range, starting from the '80', which has a single motor and is rear-wheel driven but comes with slightly more range and power (This was also the variant displayed at the Show).
Nonetheless, this feature is still pending approval from the LTA, while Skoda Singapore is still exploring an appropriate time for the Enyaq Coupe iV's launch.
As such, what might be equally eye-catching to the Singaporean car buyer is another car that perhaps flew under the radar for many at Skoda's booth: The Octavia.
The Octavia 1.0 follows in the footsteps of the Scala 1.0, which we drove a few months ago While Skoda's bestseller technically isn't new, its new promise of affordability certainly is. Like its smaller sibling, the Scala hatch, the Octavia has now gotten a 999cc turbocharged engine producing 109bhp and 200Nm of torque.
As a result, it manages to sneak into Category A - a first for this generation - and also qualifies for A2 VES banding thanks to the efficiency of its drivetrain, which has been 'mild-hybridised' with a 48V starter-generator and 48V lithium-ion battery. Previous variants, while also partially electrified, were only provided with a more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged engine.
Expect the best - including this Virtual Cockpit - on the Octavia 1.0, despite its downsized engine Even with the engine downsized, expect everything else that the Octavia has been lauded for in the past, chief of which are space and practicality. One feature more commonly seen on premium cars is the sedan's electric tailgate, which can even be opened with a wave of the foot under its bumper.
The Octavia 1.0 will ride on 18-inch alloys, and offer a whole host of driver's assistance features (including Lane Assist and Side Asist), while not stinging on digital real estate too. A 10-inch 'Bolero' infotainment touchscreen will come with the car, as will Skoda's 'Virtual Cockpit' - the firm's digital instrument cluster.
Wireless smartphone charging, wireless smartphone connection (via Skoda's SmartLink system), and of course, interior ambient lighting, all further promise to make the space inside the car very welcoming.
As with its other models, Skoda Singapore is offering a warranty of five years (or 100,000km, whichever is earlier), and a three-year free-servicing period, once every 12 months (or 15,000km, whichever is earlier) for buyers of the Octavia 1.0.
The Enyaq Coupe iV, decked out in Race Blue Metallic for the Show, marks the second addition to Enyaq iV family. Likewise, it is built on a dedicated MEB platform underpinning bespoke EVs across the Volkswagen Group.
Viewing the car head-on may make its familial ties to its pre-existing, combustion-engined Czech brethren quite clear, but its hexagonal grille hides a special trick.
Upon unlocking the Enyaq Coupe iV, its owner will be treated to a special light show which sees the grille itself illuminate outwards from the centre.
Nonetheless, this feature is still pending approval from the LTA, while Skoda Singapore is still exploring an appropriate time for the Enyaq Coupe iV's launch.
As such, what might be equally eye-catching to the Singaporean car buyer is another car that perhaps flew under the radar for many at Skoda's booth: The Octavia.
As a result, it manages to sneak into Category A - a first for this generation - and also qualifies for A2 VES banding thanks to the efficiency of its drivetrain, which has been 'mild-hybridised' with a 48V starter-generator and 48V lithium-ion battery. Previous variants, while also partially electrified, were only provided with a more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged engine.
The Octavia 1.0 will ride on 18-inch alloys, and offer a whole host of driver's assistance features (including Lane Assist and Side Asist), while not stinging on digital real estate too. A 10-inch 'Bolero' infotainment touchscreen will come with the car, as will Skoda's 'Virtual Cockpit' - the firm's digital instrument cluster.
Wireless smartphone charging, wireless smartphone connection (via Skoda's SmartLink system), and of course, interior ambient lighting, all further promise to make the space inside the car very welcoming.
As with its other models, Skoda Singapore is offering a warranty of five years (or 100,000km, whichever is earlier), and a three-year free-servicing period, once every 12 months (or 15,000km, whichever is earlier) for buyers of the Octavia 1.0.
| Car model | Price as of press time (including COE) |
| SKODA Octavia Mild Hybrid 1.0 TSI e-TEC Style | $170,900 |
