Škoda has revealed the name of its first electric SUV, which is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform. The Enyaq will be launched in Ireland in early 2021.

Škoda say Enyaq is derived from the Irish name ‘Enya’, meaning ‘source of life’. ‘Enya’ itself comes from the Irish Gaelic word ‘Eithne’, meaning ‘essence’, ‘spirit,’ or ‘principle’. These different meanings allow different perspectives on Škoda’s new SUV.

The ‘source of life’ symbolises the brand’s entry into the new era of electro-mobility and the company says it represents a new beginning, which, Škoda says, goes hand in hand with the temperament of the Enyaq and the passion and innovation Škoda engineers have applied in building the SUV.

‘Enya’ is authentic, full of character, and lively, easy to pronounce and remember and fits perfectly with the dawn of a new era in the company’s 125-year history, Škoda say.

The names of Škoda’s SUV models — Kodiaq, Karoq, and Kamiq — are derived from the language of the Inuit people, who live in northern Canada and Greenland. The ‘E’ at the beginning of Enyaq stands for electromobility; the ‘Q’ at the end is connection to the virtues of a Škoda SUV.

The Enyaq is the Czech brand’s first series-production vehicle based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB).

In all, ten electric models will be launched by the end of 2022. By 2025, Škoda expects all-electric vehicles and models with plug-in hybrid drives to account for 25% of sales.

By 2021, the car manufacturer will have invested €2bn in the development of electric models and a holistic, interconnected ecosystem for modern and environmentally friendly mobility solutions.

Speaking at Castle Durrow, Co. Laois, Raymond Leddy, head of marketing and product, Škoda Ireland said: “We are delighted that our new electric SUV will carry an Irish name. The Škoda brand has really resonated with Irish people, offering exceptional value, quality, and functionality.

“Our ‘Made for Ireland’ television campaign has been hugely successful and has helped propel the Škoda brand to fourth position in the Irish sales charts in January.

“We are very excited about the new Enyaq and look forward to sharing details of this incredible car with our customers over the next few months.”