Skoda’s local arm has this morning announced pricing and spec for its upcoming Skoda Octavia iV; the smaller plug-in hybrid cousin to the already launched Superb iV plug-in. It’s set to hit Kiwi dealerships in November.
The Octavia iV is set to be exclusively offered in wagon form. Two specs will be available; the sensible Style and the racier RS. Each is priced from $65,990 and $72,990, respectively, not including on-road costs.
Factoring in the current $5,750 Clean Car Discount for new plug-in hybrids, this means each car can potentially be had for $60,240 and $67,240 after rebates.
It’s worth remembering that the current Clean Car Discount round is set to end at the end of the year, and it’s yet to be confirmed whether it will continue into 2022. Most, however, expect that it will.
The Style’s powertrain comprises a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol four producing 110kW of power, and an 85kW electric motor. This makes for an outright output of 150kW/350Nm. The 13kWh battery is capable of approximately 60km of pure electric travel, Skoda says.
The RS, meanwhile, gets a beefed up powertrain producing 180kW and 400Nm combined. The sprint to 100km/h is completed in a claimed 7.3 seconds, with top speed rated at 225km/h. That’s around 9-tenths slower than what the standard 180kW/370Nm petrol RS achieved when we recently tested it against the clock.
The pair is inevitably packed with a healthy amount of standard equipment. Both models get a kick-to-open automatic tailgate, a 10-inch infotainment screen with Skoda’s updated ‘Columbus’ interface, electric memory front seats, five USB-C ports, and that signature umbrella in the door.
While the Style gets leather upholstery, the RS gets sporty Alcantara. Its cabin layout (and exterior, for that matter) are more or less the same as the internal combustion Octavia RS. Meaning it too gets the bucket seats, aggressive body kit, sport pedals, and more.
This is the second plug-in hybrid to be introduced to Skoda’s local line-up, as the brand prepares to bring in a raft of plug-in models, including the fully electric Enyak. Skoda New Zealand is currently on a bit of a high, with general manager Rodney Gillard reporting earlier in the year that the marque is on target for its best year of sales ever.
Prior to the latest series of lockdowns, Gillard expected to sell some 2000 cars by the end of the year. If successful, that will be a new annual record (up on 2019’s 1450 cars). By 2025, it’s hoped that Skoda will occupy a 4.0 per cent market share. Between now and then, it’s hoped that 5000 Skodas will be sold to Kiwis around the country.
