Skoda Octavia RS

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.

Remember last month when we wrote about the MY19 Volkswagen Golf GTI losing the manual option? The three-pedal casualties have continued elsewhere in the Volkswagen Group, with the Skoda Octavia RS also losing its stick-shift variants for 2019. It's not the first, and it won't be the last European line-up to be reshuffled because of the new WLTP – that's Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Testing Protocol – rules coming into force this September in Europe.

UPDATE: This article previously suggested the RS245 would be offered in DSG automatic form only. In fact, the company expects to offer both. The hot new Skoda Octavia RS45 will hit Australia in November, while the now not-so-compact new 2018 Volkswagen Polo will touch down in the first quarter of next year. Timing for both models was confirmed today by Paul Pottinger, communications manager for Volkswagen Group Australia, which also manages the Skoda brand here.