The new-generation Skoda Octavia vRS will go on sale in the UK later this month, with prices starting from £31,495.
The fourth generation of the Czech firm’s hot hatch and estate will be offered with petrol, diesel and, for the first time, plug-in hybrid powertrains. The conventionally powered models use the same powertrains as their respective Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf GTD siblings.
UK order books will open on Tuesday 27 October for the 242bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol version with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (DSG). The diesel and plug-in hybrid versions will follow at a later date. Both the hatch and estate body shapes will be available at launch, with prices starting at £31,495 and £32,695 respectively.
The petrol unit will eventually be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as well.
The diesel uses a 197bhp 2.0-litre engine, which is DSG only. Both variants can be optionally had with an on-demand four-wheel drive system. No performance or economy details have been released as yet.
Skoda has announced details about the vRS iV plug-in hybrid, which has a 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol engine mated to a 114bhp electric motor for a combined system output of 242bhp (identical to the petrol vRS) and 295lb ft. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time of 7.3sec and a top speed of 152mph.
Although official fuel economy figures for the plug-in hybrid vRS haven’t been divulged prior to homologation, Skoda is targeting CO2 emissions of about 30g/km. The Octavia vRS iV can also cover 37 miles on electric power alone on a full charge.
Revealed in both hatchback and estate forms, the fourth generation of the hot Octavia receives typical vRS design cues, including 19in alloy wheels, twin tailpipes, a wider front bumper, a black grille, air curtains and rear apron that includes a black diffuser. Black door mirrors also feature and the hatch gains a black rear spoiler, although the estate’s is body coloured.
Black wheels hide red-finished brake calipers, while full-LED matrix headlights and LED tail-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 colours and the option of assigning different colours to the dashboard or footwell or creating “coordinated light scenarios”.