That’s it.
Only a few days remain before the Octavia RS debuts at the Geneva Motor Show. But Skoda seems eager to unveil its new hot hatch. The Golf GTE’s practical sibling, the Octavia RS, has been spied in very limited camo. Notice that we used “GTE” instead of “GTI” in our title? Our spies found a near-production prototype in Spain that was the plug-in hybrid version of the Golf with an electrified motortrain. This is the same engine as the PHEV versions of the Golf and the newly introduced Cupra Leon. The extra cap on the driver’s front fender is the dead giveaway.
This car’s only disguise is the bumper, where stickers imitate the fog lights from an older vehicle.
Octavia RS-specific LED fog lamps are located above the model. The styling changes to the regular model are subtle and include an aggressive bumper design, larger wheels, and beefier brakes.
Because the suspension was stiffened to improve handling, the car is slightly lower than a less Octavia. The subtle spoiler at the rear denotes that this is not your average Skoda model. Meanwhile, the dual exhausts reveal Skoda’s performance-oriented nature. We hate to break the news but the right exhaust finisher does not appear to be connected with the actual exhaust tip. The real ones are hidden behind the angular exhaust finisher to the left.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain will be a combination of a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline motor and an electric motor. It is expected to produce a total output of 242 horsepower. Torque should reach 400 Newton-meters (or 295 pound-feet), as with the electrified Le. The Octavia RS iV may be limited to a dual-clutch automated transmission (DSG), so it’s likely you won’t have the ability to row your own gears.
The Octavia RS iV will be available for purchase. Conventionally powered versions will follow. A 2.0-liter TSI model will offer 241 hp, while a 2.0 TDI model is expected to have 197 hp. A gasoline-powered model will offer buyers the option of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG. The latter is the sole gearbox for diesel.
The plug-in hybrid Octavia RS will be unveiled at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show.