Skoda shows more of sporty Vision RS concept

Skoda has released renderings of the Vision RS concept it will reveal at October's Paris motor show.

Following on from last week's images of the Rapid's replacement, the latest pics detail the new Toyota Corolla rival's cabin.

Far more futuristic than the current car, the new concept's interior, Skoda claims, will be not only be 'vegan' but made from sustainable materials.

The seat material, for example, is made from Alcantara rather than trimmed in leather hides.

Dominated by lightweight-looking race bucket seats, the cabin comes equipped with a centre 'spine' that features grab-handles for rear passengers and buttons instead of a gear lever for the driver.

Replacing wood and metal, lightweight carbon-fibre is used for the door panels, seat frames and decorative panels.

Measuring in at 4356mm long, 1810mm wide and 1431mm tall, the Vision RS is longer, wider and lower than the current Rapid Spaceback.

It also has a longer wheelbase, which should liberate more space for passengers.

The new design should inject some excitement into the Czech hatchback, which is expected to be renamed ahead of its launch in 2019, in its effort to challenge cars like the new Toyota Corolla.

Based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB A0 platform, which also underpins the VW Polo, the new Skoda hatchback will later be joined by a production version of the Vision X SUV concept.

It's thought both the styling and name of the Vision RS signal Skoda's intention to make a high-performance hot hatch rival for the Volkswagen Golf GTI and forthcoming Toyota Corolla GR.