Skoda has officially unveiled the Elroq, the Czech brand’s first electric compact SUV and at prices starting from £31,500 claimed to be the most affordable EV in its segment, on account of its battery size and extensive standard equipment.

Built on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB), the Elroq will be available in three powertrain capacities, all rear-wheel drive. Entry level is the Elroq 50, which has a 55 kWh battery driving a 170hp motor with 310Nm of torque, offering a range of up to 230 miles and a nine-second 0-62mph time.

The Elroq 60, costing from £33,350, has a battery capacity of 63 kWh and a 204hp/310Nm motor, offering a quoted range of around 260 miles and cutting the 0-62mph time by a second.

Most powerful is the Elroq 85, which costs from £38,650. Its 82kWh battery is combined with a 286hp motor with torque of 545Nm and what Skoda describes as one of the longest maximum ranges in its segment, up to 360 miles on the WLTP cycle. It’s also the quickest, passing 62mph from rest in 6.6 seconds.

The new Skoda also offers short recharging times, made possible by rapid charging capability and optimised preheating. The top Elroq 85 is capable of charging rates at up to 175kW, replenishing its battery from 10 to 80% in 28 minutes at DC fast-charging stations.

The Elroq 50 and Elroq 60 support charging rates of up to 145 kW and up to 165 kW respectively, which sees their batteries replenished from 10 to 80% in 25 minutes or less. All three versions also support charging rates of up to 11 kW at AC charging stations.

With the Elroq Skoda debuts a new exterior design language dubbed ‘Modern Solid’. Highlights of the newcomer according to its makers include compact exterior dimensions, a spacious interior with up to 1580 litres of luggage capacity, precise handling and a small turning circle.

All versions of the Elroq will also be supplied with an extensive standard equipment list, highlights including a rear-view camera, remote air-conditioning, a 13-inch infotainment screen with SmartLink connectivity and a long list of safety aids including Crew Protect Assist and Blind Spot Detection.