2020 Skoda Octavia RS PHEV primed, but Australia will get 180kW petrol one

The electrified Skoda Octavia RS iV PHEV has been teased one last time before its world premiere next week. The range-topping derivative in the new-generation Octavia family “points the way towards a sustainable future” for the badge.

Australia almost certainly won’t get it though - a result of tight battery production levels that are mostly devoted to European stock, and the lack of incentivised demand for plug-ins (given our lack of emissions-reduction targets) here pushing us down any proverbial queue.

So does that mean the Octavia RS - the top-seller in our market for years - is no more? Perish the thought: the company’s local arm says “100 per cent” there will be a 180kW/370Nm petrol model once again, with a front diff and likely a new shift-by-wire DSG, available locally.

Back to the topic at hand. The Octavia RS PHEV uses the same plug-in electric drivetrain as the (also not-for-Australia) Mk8 Golf GTE revealed this week, pairing a 110kW 1.4-litre petrol engine with an 85kW electric motor and a 13kWh battery, combining to make 180kW and 400Nm.

It can also cover a (claimed) 55km as a fully electric car, against WLTP tests, and can be charged at home from a 230-volt mains socket or a wallbox. Skoda promises a “sports suspension with signature RS fine-tuning that ensures dynamic handling”. Speculation suggests it replaces the RS TDI diesel.

Design tweaks will include a black grille, front apron with black ‘air curtains’, and black rear diffuser. On that theme, the black alloy wheels sit ahead of red brake callipers. The sedan’s tailgate comes with a black RS spoiler, while the wagon features a roof spoiler in body colour.

The moody cabin will be enlivened by coloured contrasting stitching on the bucket seats with integrated headrests, and on the leather-covered three-spoke steering wheel.

Skoda is also showing a watered-down Octavia PHEV with 150kW/350m and the same battery capacity, available in conjunction with the Ambition and Style trim levels.

Beyond these, Skoda is also preparing more than 10 electrified models that will be launched in Europe and China under the ‘Skoda iV’ sub-brand by the end of 2022. Starting here.

Skoda’s Australian arm is currently enjoying all-time record sales.

The current range will be joined by the Kodiaq RS in March, while the Karoq is being 'relaunched' with a new 110TSI engine and a fresh 140TSI Sportline range-topper.

A limited-run Superb Scout – the first Skoda to be sold with a petrol particulate filter in Australia – will be here early in the second quarter of 2020 as well.

The new Scala hatchback will arrive in June, followed by the Kamiq compact SUV coming to tackle the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Venue.

The new Octavia range arrives in Q1, 2021 with the 180kW petrol RS included.

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