Skoda plugs in with hot Octavia RS iV

SKODA unveiled its all-new third-generation Octavia RS last week, using the iV plug-in hybrid electric variant as the poster child for its fully redesigned performance mid-sizer.

Powered by the same 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and 85kW hybrid system as the new Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTE, the Octavia RS iV has now been confirmed to produce 180kW of power and 400Nm of torque, all of which is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

While official fuel economy figures have not yet been released, Skoda says the new performance-orientated PHEV’s CO2 emissions come in at just 30 grams per kilometre on the WLTP cycle, meaning it falls well into line with the looming EU6d emissions standard.

On the topic of performance, the RS iV will sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.3-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 225km/h.

Thanks to its 13kWh battery, claimed range in all-electric mode is 60km.

Both the established sedan and wagon body types are making a return for the third-generation Octavia RS, although as previously reported the iV variant will not be making it Down Under due to Volkswagen Group Australia’s decision to stick with traditional combustion engines and offer only full-electric powertrains as an alternative when they become available.

That will see both turbocharged petrol and diesel engines in 2.0-litre four-cylinder guise carried over.

On the style front, all of the signature RS details have been made bigger and more aggressive, chief among the blacked-out grille and air intakes.

A new headlight arrangement lends a more menacing air to the front fascia while new LED daytime running lights have been arranged to loosely echo the quad-light configuration of the outgoing model.

Down the side, a new parabolic line runs from the top of the flared front wheelarches to the tail-lights while some extra body sculpting has been added lower down by the RS-specific skirts.

The familiar five-spoke RS alloy wheels have undergone a slight evolution but retain their signature style while red brake callipers peer out from behind.

A completely redesigned rear end has been fitted to the new RS with a much squarer and sharply edged tailgate housing landscape-oriented tail-lights, new block capital Skoda badging and air ducts flanking the rear bumper.

Viewed from the back, the overall shape and stance of the wagon variant reminds us of an Audi RS4/RS6 Avant.

The badging, grille surrounds, window trim, exterior mirrors and roof rails (wagon) are all finished in black, as is the interior which is complemented by red contrast stitching.

The seats bear a close resemblance to those in the second-generation series, finished as standard with fabric though Alcantara upholstery will be available as an option.

A new digital instrument cluster greets drivers while the dashboard itself has been given a major streamlining with many of the buttons – including climate-control dials – moved to a new, larger infotainment screen mounted higher up next to the instrument cluster.

Ancillary buttons have been integrated neatly into a seamless row above the air-conditioning vents, under the screen.

According to Volkswagen Group Australia corporate communications general manager Paul Pottinger, the third-generation Octavia range will arrive in Australia in early 2021, including the new RS variants.

Last year, Skoda Australia sold 1814 examples of the Octavia, marking a 1.1 per cent sales improvement on 2018.

So far this year ending February, 361 units have been shifted, twice as many as at the same point last year.