New 335bhp Skoda Elroq vRS Revealed

However, it’s not the fastest vRS that money can buy, as its 111mph limited top speed falls short of what the Octavia vRS can achieve. While the drivetrain is almost silent, two external driving noises can be selected via the infotainment display.

The Elroq vRS wears a relatively subtle bodykit to separate it from the rest of the range, with angled grille inserts, tailgate-mounted spoiler, unique rear bumper with a full-width reflector, and 20” aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels; 21” rims are optionally available. Black exterior trim for the window surrounds, mirrors, and badges come as standard.

The changes aren’t purely cosmetic, as the vRS gets lowered suspension that drops the car by 15mm at the front, and 10mm at the rear. Dynamic Chassis Control is available as an option, offering 15 stages of adjustment for the adaptive dampers. The steering has been recalibrated to take advantage of the new suspension setup, and the high-performance variant gains enlarged front brakes with two-piston callipers.

Between the axles sits a 79kWh usable capacity battery, which offers a range of 339 miles on one charge. Topping up at a DC rapid charger requires 26 minutes at up to 185kW, with home charging taking around 12 hours with a 7kW wallbox.

Inside, the 5” drivers’ display and 13” infotainment screen get vRS-specific graphics. All five seats are upholstered in black microfibre, with lime green contrasting elements. The steering wheel is heated as standard, along with the pair of front seats.

Its closest rival is the similarly-sized Mini Countryman SE which also uses a dual-motor drivetrain. The Mini offers 308bhp, has the same top speed of 111mph, but is down on range at a maximum of 267 miles owing to its smaller 64.6kWh battery.

The new Skoda Elroq vRS is priced from £46,560, with standard equipment including adaptive cruise control, matrix LED headlights, keyless entry, a massaging drivers’ seat, powered tailgate to access the 470-litre boot, a Canton surround-sound system, and four 45W USB-C chargers for devices. Eight of the nine exterior colours - including the vibrant Hyper Green - are available at no cost.

The car can be fully-loaded with the new Maxx Package, a £1,100 option that adds massaging front seats, heated rear seats, remote park assist, three-zone climate control, 360-degree cameras, a head-up display, and much more. A heat pump is a £1,000 must-buy feature that we hope becomes standard in the coming years. Curiously, there's no option for a sunroof to be found.

The new Skoda Elroq vRS will go on sale in June, with the first UK deliveries expected later this summer.