STAR of the show on Skoda's stand at next month's Geneva motor show will be the latest versions of the Czech maker's higher-performance Octavia vRS models.

In core European markets, the sporty Octavia vRS has achieved a Golf GTI-like following amongst performance-minded drivers with one in five Octavias sold carrying the green and red vRS badge on the tailgate.

Now, twenty years after the debut of the original, new fourth generation versions of the vRS hatchback and estate will be unveiled at Geneva and Skoda has released design sketches which highlight distinctive design elements including a black grille, a sporty front apron with large air intakes, black detailing, large alloy wheels, diffusers at the front and rear and spoilers on the saloon's tailgate and the rear edge of the estate's roof.

The main story, however, is under the bonnet where, for the first time, the vRS models will come with a plug-in hybrid powertrain generating a total system output of 242bhp which its makers say will provide superior fuel economy and low COemissions.