Skoda’s hybrid hot hatch
Vision RS gives a glimpse of 2019 Golf and Focus rival
THIS is the Skoda Vision RS Concept. It’s a preview of a confirmed, but as-yet-unnamed, new family car from the Czech company, which is designed to replace the ageing, budget-orientated Rapid and Rapid Spaceback models.
The new car, scooped by Auto Express earlier this year (Issue 1,516), will go on sale in 2019 positioned as a rival to the Ford Focus. It will essentially take on the Octavia’s position of being Skoda’s alternative to the Volkswagen Golf.
The Vision RS previews the future of Skoda’s VRS performance models as well, confirming that a hot version of the Rapid’s replacement is on the way. It also suggests that Skoda will look to plug-in hybrid technology for future VRS cars.
Taken as a preview of Skoda’s next family hatchback, the Vision RS sits on the VW Group’s MQB A0 platform – a more cost-effective, modified version of MQB normally used on supermini-sized cars, but stretched to the maximum for Skoda’s upcoming C-segment offering.
Clear design influence from the current Rapid Spaceback is found in the form of the large black glass tailgate. But the rest of the concept is straight from Skoda’s latest design playbook.
Rs-specific tweaks include aggressivelooking front and rear bumpers, and plenty of carbon fibre for the grille, air intakes, front splitter, rear diffuser and bootlid wing. Inside, the design is inspired by the Vision X concept – which previews a new compact SUV.
The dashboard and switchgear layout is familiar and a floating touchscreen display is fitted. As with the exterior design, it’s a preview of next-generation Skoda interiors, but dressed up in true concept car style with plenty of carbonfibre touches and four bucket seats.
Under the skin the Vision RS Concept uses a plug-in hybrid petrol powertrain combining a 148bhp 1.5-litre fourcylinder engine and 101bhp electric motor. The two powerplants don’t quite produce maximum power at the same time, so total output is rated at 242bhp.
Drive is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Skoda claims a 0-62mph time of 7.1 seconds, while top speed is rated at 130mph. The electric motor gets its power from a 13kwh battery pack, and Skoda claims that this offers up to 43 miles of pure-electric running.
Bjoern Kroell, Skoda’s head of commercial electrification, suggested that the set-up would be a realistic production proposition from next year. It will be the basis for Skoda’s first production plug-in hybrid, the Superb PHEV, which is due in 2019, and Kroell added: “This kind of powertrain concept can be seen in any Skoda.”
Vision RS points to look of Rapid-replacing Focus rival Sporty cues will appear on next VRS performance cars