Skoda Elroq vRS

FIRST UK DRIVE It may be the Czech brand's quickest car yet, but the Elroq VRS is the most difficult version to recommend in an otherwise brilliant range

- Max Adams

WE'RE big fans of the Skoda Elroq, having named it our Car of the Year back in July. All things considered then, this vRS version should be a showstopper - especially with it being the brand’s fastest car yet - but we were a little underwhelmed when we drove the car in the Czech Republic earlier this year. So, how does it fare on UK roads?

To recap, the Elroq vRS gets a dual-motor setup producing a not inconsiderable 335bhp, which will blast it from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. That’s enough to leave following drivers in your wake when you put your foot down, but hardly exceptional when the less expensive MG4 XPower boasts 429bhp, and can sprint to 62mph in a potentially lunch-losing 3.8 seconds.

The vRS comes as standard with four-wheel drive to ensure it never struggles for traction. This works with a stability control system that keeps a tight rein on power, so you can plant your foot on the throttle mid-bend and feel the car smoothly meter out the power to fire you out the other side without so much as a chirrup from the tyres.

It’s all very safe, but there's no sensation that the four-wheel drive system is shifting the power around like a Hyundai Ioniq 5N does, and it doesn’t reward the enthusiast with a stimulating driving experience. That’s a shame because the regular Elroq is decent enough to drive, with a feeling of being pushed from behind when accelerating out of a corner like a traditional rear-driven car.