Further proof that the VW Group's performance 1.4 hybrid powertrain is about to become as ubiquitous as its 2.0-litre turbo comes with the new Skoda Octavia vRS, which applies the configuration to its front-wheel drive platform with 245hp and 295lb ft of torque. Those are identical numbers to the Golf GTE and Cupra Leon, meaning the Skoda remains a compelling cut-price VW Group performance offering, especially since it gets the same 37-mile electric range, making the inevitable lower starting price seem all the more reasonable.
There is a catch, however. The new hybrid powerplant, despite being as powerful as the old vRS's turbo 2.0-litre and higher in torque, can't quite provide the off-the-line performance of its predecessor. The new PHEV takes 7.3 seconds to hit 62mph and tops out at 140mph in both hatch and estate forms, which is six tenths and 15mph worse than the last auto Octavia vRS. It's quite possible that rolling acceleration with the electrified setup will be better, although there's clearly been a shift in focus for Skoda's performance five-door. It has long proven popular as a capable motorway hack for Germans and Brits, though, so a WLTP-certified 30g/km of CO2 and a similarly frugal (but yet to be confirmed) economy ought to grab buyers attention.
As will a number of visual tweaks applied to the MQB-based vRS's exterior. It gets new bumpers, black trim and 18- or 19-inch wheels, which sit ahead of red brake calipers and combine to add some welcome aggression to the Mk4 Octavia's already sharp form. We'd argue the back looks better than the front, but will leave it to the floor for a final decision. Inside, it's predictably VW Group, albeit with a few trim changes to differentiate the Skoda's take on the architecture. There's a digital infotainment screen and instrument cluster, along with a button-light centre console and Alcantara-clad sports seats. With no manual option available with this powertrain, it's two-pedals and fly-by-wire six-speed DSG only.
A key impact of the vRS's new 13kWh lithium-ion hardware is the moving of 12-volt battery to the boot. This has robbed the latest vRS of storage space, reducing the boot capacity to 450 litres for the hatch and 490 litres in the estate. Plenty big enough, you might think, until you consider that the respective losses from the old car equate to 140 litres and 120 litres. The fuel tank is also five litres smaller than the old car's, although the anticipated higher economy of the electrified powerplant should make up for the loss. Combined with the slightly slower straight-line performance, it really does illustrate a change in priorities for the sporty Skoda.
That being said, its position in the VW Group's hot hybrid line-up seems unchanged, even with the arrival of a new sibling in the Cupra hatchback. And now that there's a pure electric mode along with those drastically reduced emissions, the hot Skoda model is officially Euro6d compliant long before the January 2021 deadline, which should help its chances in markets where emissions limits are strictest. Top of that list will no doubt be China, where a large portion of Octavia production has taken place since the Mk3 was launched there. We'll have a better idea when the rest of the specs are revealed in the coming weeks, before sales of Skoda's first plug-in Octavia vRS commence.
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