The success of the Kodiaq vRS has been a “motivating success” for Skoda which encourages the maker to consider other performance models, according to CEO Bernhard Maier.
Currently, Skoda offers the Octavia saloon and Kodiaq SUV with vRS models, but Skoda has been cautious in recent years to make major plans for its sporting sub-brand.
As well as the success of the Kodiaq vRS, which already has a take-rate of a fifth of Skoda Kodiaq sales in some countries, Maier flagged last year’s Vision RS concept as “demonstrating how Skoda will develop the RS idea in the future”. While the Vision RS gave clues to design of the now-revealed Scala hatchback, the plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to be seen in future RS models.
“In this transformation stage from combustion engine to electrification, we have to think of a new idea for vRS which is why we introduced Vision RS at last year’s Geneva [show]. That is an idea of how the development will go further.”
The Vision RS is a plug-in hybrid, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor to offer a total output of 242bhp. While the specifications are likely to change, the powertrain is expected to be similar to that in Skoda’s first production PHEV model, the facelifted Superb due late this year.
A more powerful version of this powertrain could also be used in the upcoming hybrid Octavia vRS as reported by Autocar last year. The hybrid is expected to sit alongside more traditional petrol and diesel variants of the Octavia vRS.
vRS versions of the brand’s newest models, the Scala and Kamiq, are rumoured but not confirmed.
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