Skoda News, an unofficial Twitter page dedicated to the Czech marque, has published the following details about the upcoming Octavia range.
The Octavia RS iV PHEV is coming to the market packing a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a single electric motor. The nominal output amounts to 245 hp (183 kW), and the premiere is scheduled for the GIMS-2020 show in Geneva opening on March 3.
The media had widely believed the PHEV to be the flagship of the updated range, but the reality proved different. In fact, the new Octavia RS extracts the same 245 hp (183 kW) from its 2.0-liter turbo-four mill – just like the RS 245 in the previous generation or the new Volkswagen Golf GTI. However, while the Golf additionally gets an even stronger version with 300 hp (224 kW) under the hood (GTI TCR), the Octavia makes do without one.
There will also be a diesel spec rated at 200 hp (150 kW), just like the VW Golf GTD. The diesel engine will ship bundled exclusively with the 7-speed DSG transmission, whereas the gas-chugging Octavia will offer a choice between that and six-speed manual. the hybrid will make do with a lower-end six-speed DSG.
The 2021 Skoda Octavia RS iV will begin shipping early this summer, while the RS line will arrive closer to the autumn.