The all-new fourth-generation Skoda Octavia is inbound and yet, before anyone has driven the regular models, already the flagship has been announced. These teaser images show the forthcoming Octavia Mk4 RS, which will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and the big news is that the high-performance derivative of the Czech challenger will be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), gaining Skoda's nomenclature of 'iV' as a result.
245hp of hybrid power
These three exterior designs for the Octavia RS iV show a Combi derivative will be offered too, and Skoda would like to draw your attention to the design language of the Octavia RS, which has grown in all dimensions compared to its immediate predecessor. Particular focus must go to the coupe-style profile, the black Skoda radiator grille, the large air intakes in the front apron, the big alloy wheels, diffusers front and rear, and also spoilers for both the hatch and the Combi.
Skoda's also obviously keen to play up the 'iV' bit of its nameplate, saying this hot hatch is as much about 'family-friendly versatility and sports car-like performance with sustainability and efficiency' as anything. There are no claims as yet to CO2 figures, fuel economy numbers or what electric range the RS iV will have, but expect those to be revealed in Geneva.
Furthermore, there are precious few details on the clever petrol-electric drivetrain itself, such as which combination of engine and e-motor will be found in the RS iV, but the company has confirmed the peak output will be 245hp. That's the same as the old Mk3's most potent version, which generated the same number from a 2.0-litre 'EA888' four-cylinder turbocharged motor. We'd put good money on the RS iV having some derivation of the system found in the recently launched Superb iV, which employs a 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol with an 85kW electric motor for a 218hp/400Nm set of drivetrain maximums.