Geneva show: Skoda sketches Octavia RS iV

SKODA has confirmed a 180kW power figure and released three exterior design sketches of its new Octavia RS iV in the lead up to its global debut at next month’s Geneva motor show.

The RS iV will be the Czech marque’s first foray into the performance hybrid market and all but confirms longstanding rumours it will share its powertrain with the looming Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTE.

On the design front, the sketches reveal a far more angular and aggressive look for the fourth-generation Octavia flagship.

Almost every panel has been made more angled and pronounced in the sketches, arguably headlined by a new bonnet featuring air channels on either side, giving it a raised albeit bulging look.

The bonnet lines flow almost seamlessly into the familiar Skoda grille flanked at the top by dual headlamps resembling the current model’s quad arrangement thanks to LED running lights, while a subtle chin spoiler adds to the overall aggression.

Looking side on, the signature Octavia RS five-spoke alloy wheels have been carried over – in oversized fashion in keeping with the designer’s sketch – while the flanks score extra sculpting and channelling, led by the prominent parabolic line.

The overall silhouette has also been made sleeker, with Skoda describing the liftback variant as a “coupe-style saloon”.

Behind the flared rear wheelarches lies a very Tesla-esque rear end with thin, angular tail-lights sitting below an almost ducktail lip spoiler.

Toward the bottom of the sculpted rear bumper lies twin parallelogram exhausts bridged by a red LED brake strip.

No designs or images of the wagon’s rear have been released, however Skoda says there are spoilers “along the rear edge” of the roofline.

Along with the sketches and power figure, Skoda has also confirmed the new model will be slightly bigger than its predecessor, although by how much remains a mystery.

As GoAuto has previously reported, Volkswagen Group Australia has no plans of binging the new Octavia RS iV Down Under and said it planned to pursue the introduction of electric vehicles in Australia rather than plug-in hybrids.

Last year Skoda sold 1814 Octavias in Australia, an increase of 1.1 per cent on 2018 (1794) and representing a 7.0 per cent share of the sub-$60,000 medium car segment.