New Skoda Octavia vRS revealed in plug-in hybrid guise

UPDATE: New Skoda Octavia RS petrol and diesel versions revealed

Skoda’s longest-serving sporting model, the Octavia vRS, has moved to a new generation and, like its Volkswagen Group siblings, will be the first to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The Czech brand has released details of only the vRS iV plug-in version so far, which has a 1.4-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine mated to a 116hp electric motor for a combined system output of 245hp and 400Nm. That’s enough for a 0-100kph time of 7.3sec and a top speed of 245kph.

With the hybrid powertrain, Skoda is targeting CO2 emissions of about 30g/km. The Octavia vRS iV can also cover 60km on electric power alone on a full charge.

Revealed in both notchback and estate forms, the fourth generation of the hot Octavia receives typical vRS design cues such as 19-inch alloy wheels, twin exhaust tailpipes, a wider front bumper, a black grille, air curtains and rear apron that includes a black diffuser. Black door mirrors are also featured and the hatch receives a black rear spoiler, although the estate’s is body coloured. Black wheels hide red-finished brake calipers, and full-LED matrix headlights and LED rear lights are standard.

Upgrades inside include Alcantara vRS-branded seats that are electrically adjustable and heated for both driver and front passenger. The headlining and dashboard trim features Alcantara as well and there are aluminium pedals.

Contrasting stitching for the sports steering wheel and seats aims to liven up the cabin, as does LED ambient lighting with 10 separate colours and the option of assigning different colours to the dashboard or footwell or creating “coordinated light scenarios.”

Other standard equipment includes a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Skoda’s latest ‘always online’ MIB3 interface and offering a variety of connected services. A 10.0-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument display is also on offer, as is adaptive cruise control, three-zone climate control, an electric boot, front and rear parking sensors and keyless entry.

The Octavia vRS is fitted with retuned ‘signature vRS’ sports suspension, which lowers the car by 15mm, as compared to the standard model.

No details of the petrol or diesel variants have been released, but they have been confirmed for a later date, so expect figures similar to those of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and GTD. That means 245hp and 370Nm of torque for the petrol version and 200hp and 400Nm of torque for the diesel model. The cars will be offered in front- and four-wheel-drive configurations, too.

The new vRS is based on the ‘standard’ fourth-gen Octavia unveiled late last year. The Czech automaker is working towards bringing the standard-spec model to our market within 2020, though there is no official word on when the latest iteration of the souped-up vRS will make its India debut.

However, Skoda launched the previous-gen Octavia RS 245 for our market at Auto Expo 2020, last month. Priced at Rs 35.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the fully imported model is limited to just 200 examples. Bookings for the limited-run Skoda commenced on March 1.