Skoda’s 2020 Octavia vRS is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show next week. But prototypes are already flying around with barely any camouflage.
We can see that this isn’t the Octavia standard. Unveiled late last year thanks to its array of typical vRS design indications. Honeycomb trim, chunkier sills, larger wheels hiding enlarged brakes and red calipers, and new twin exhaust tailpipes are available on the back.
The new version of PHEV promises to offer the most powerful version of the drivetrain already seen in the Volkswagen Golf GTE. As before, 2.0-liter petrol and diesel vRS models will also be available. The former with its 242bhp predecessor more powerful and promising.
However, sources suggest that in terms of outright power. The plug-in hybrid version will match the petrol itself. That means the now-familiar combination of a 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine. An electric motor, matched to an automatic DSG dual-clutch transmission, should be good for around 250bhp and up to 300 lb-ft.
The heavier plug-in, however, expected to slightly slower off the line than its petrol-only sibling. With a sprint time of around seven seconds at 0-62 mph.
The deficit in acceleration is largely down to the extra mass. The addition of the electric motor and a rear-mounted battery pack (suggested to have a capacity of up to 13kWh) add to the kerb weight by more than 200 kg, but that will be partially offset by instant, electric-powered torque and the ability to run in electric-only mode for up to 30 miles.
The OctaviavRS line-up set to be the fastest in the regular petrol model. Details not confirmed. But sources suggest that the familiar EA888 engine of the Volkswagen Group tuned to deliver nearly 250bhp. Whilst torque could rise above 280 lb-ft. The performance is expected to improve over the existing car. With the sprint of 0-62 mph taking around 6.5sec.