Visitors to Skoda’s Paris show stand are in for a treat, thanks to a surprise new Vision RS hot hatch concept that will sit alongside the production-ready Kodiaq vRS. If you like hot Skodas, it’s a further sign that exciting models are set to emerge from the Czech brand over the next few years, as it looks to exploit its motorsport pedigree.
SKODA HOT HATCH CONCEPT SET TO STUN PARIS CROWDS
While exact details are scarce, front and rear design sketches show the Vision RS concept will certainly look the part, even sporting carbon fibre – yes, on a Skoda. The stocky five-door hatchback has a wide grille, sharp headlights and bulging bonnet that resembles a Kodiaq entering hyperspace. Sharp creases, pronounced side skirts and heavily flared wheelarches visually glue the Vision RS to the tarmac, along with the obligatory huge wheels fitted to concept cars.
The rear is in stark contrast to the conservative Skoda Rapid Spaceback, although it does share its black rear windscreen. A huge rally-style spoiler sits above this, the rear light clusters continue into sharp shoulder lines and the bumper has a deep diffuser.
In a new move for Skoda, there’s also a low continuous strip of rear LEDs in red, but it’s not yet known how this will function, or if it will make it onto the production model.
Measuring 4,356mm long, 1,810mm wide and 1,431mm tall and with a 2,650mm wheelbase, the Vision RS is longer and wider than the Rapid Spaceback, and could be our first glimpse at its replacement. The Spaceback has been a relatively slow seller, and it’s rumoured that Skoda is looking to replace it with a model more closely aligned with the Volkswagen Golf to boost sales. It’s expected that the new C-segment hatchback would remain distinct from the Octavia, and could get an all-new name, as well as the vRS performance version teased here.
A sketch of the interior shows four individual bucket seats and an alloy dashboard, although we’d be surprised if this motorsport-style layout made it to production. The use of cut crystal, red highlights, quilting for the seats and ambient lighting effects are more likely. Carbon fibre trim, storage compartments with elastic bands and vegan Alcantara could also be part of a new range of Simply Clever design features when the production car goes on sale next year.
