THE first electrified performance-oriented Skoda vRS is on the way as the Czech car maker has revealed its new plug-in Octavia.

Priced from £35,020 for the hatchback and £36,220 for an estate, the Octavia vRS iV will have an electric only range of up to 39 miles.

Top speed is 139mph and the car has a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 7.3 seconds - not far short of that of the conventionally powered version.

The powertrain delivers a combined 245ps and uses a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine linked to an electric motor. Maximum torque is 400Nm, some 30Nm more than the previous Octavia vRS.

Recharging takes 3.5 hours from a home charger or five hours from a domestic three-pin supply.

The hatch has combined WLTP fuel consumption figures of 256.8 - 176.6mpg, while the estate has figures of 235.4 - 176.6mpg. CO2figures are 26-36g/km for the hatch and 27-36g/km for the estate.

The vRS iV is equipped with a six-speed DSG transmission with shift-by-wire technology as standard and is front-wheel drive.

In terms of design, the new Octavia vRS iV is almost identical to the petrol-only models. Both hatch and estate feature unique front and rear bumper designs that incorporate a host of black details.

These include the double-slat radiator grille, lower air diffuser and the distinctive air curtains above the front fog lights. The door mirror housings and window frames are also finished in gloss black, while the estate model is finished with black roof bars as standard.

At the rear, the hatch model adds gloss black aero flaps, diffuser and a subtle bootlid spoiler, while both models come with chrome exhaust tailpipes and vRS and iV badging as standard.

Inside, the Octavia vRS iV has a multifunction three-spoke leather steering wheel with DSG paddles and new knurled wheels in a chrome design.

Carbon optic decorative strips, LED ambient lighting and aluminium pedals are other features as are an Alcantara-padded instrument panel with the vRS logo and red stitching.

Skoda's Virtual Cockpit instrument panel is fitted as standard and has an additional Sport layout while the iV model features its own instrument panel with the infotainment screen having additional menus and driving data relating to the hybrid functions of the car.

Other features fitted as standard include full LED Matrix headlights with an adaptive front light system, an E-noise generator for electric drive, adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors with manoeuvre assist.

Both vRS iV models also feature an E-mode button for electric/hybrid drive and a Sport button that delivers maximum output from the drivetrain.