Octavia RS now just as strong as Golf GTI
The brand new facelifted Skoda Octavia also gets a sporty RS version. Unfortunately, that practical and potent Czech passes us by. Still, we would like to talk you through what you are missing.
Before the facelift, there were two sporty top versions of the Skoda Octavia. They both had ‘RS’ in the name, although one of them had the addition ‘iV’. The extra spacious alternative to the technical brothers Volkswagen Golf, Seat Leon and Audi A3 was available as an RS with a 245 hp 2.0 TSI and as a plug-in hybrid RS iV. That sporty plug-in version had the drivetrain that was also used by group members such as the Golf GTE. That hardware consisted of a 1.4 TSI and an electric motor, together good for a system power that, at 245 hp, was just as high as that of the plug-free RS. The plug-in hybrid Octavia RS iV came to the Netherlands, but the version with 2.0 TSI did not. The recently facelifted Skoda Octavia has not yet been presented with plug-in hybrid powertrains, but it will already receive one updated RS version. Indeed: the variant without partial electric power.
For the time being only without a plug and therefore with 2.0 TSI: the new Skoda Octavia RS.
After its freshening, the Skoda Octavia RS is stronger than before. The blown 2.0 four-cylinder petrol engine gains 20 hp and now produces 265 hp and 370 Nm. That new ability is not surprising. After all, the updated Golf GTI is just as strong. There is no need to shift gears yourself, because the power always goes to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. The Skoda Octavia RS is 1.5 centimeters closer to the asphalt than the non-RS versions, has progressive power steering, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and a black exhaust tip on either side of the rear bumper.
From the outside you can recognize the updated Octavia RS by a new RS badge in its grille, black side mirror caps, its sportier-looking bumpers with black elements and by its 18 to 19-inch alloy wheels. In the Skoda Octavia RS we see suede upholstery on the dashboard, aluminum pedals, electrically adjustable sports seats, a three-spoke leather-covered sports steering wheel with RS logo and the necessary red stitching. Fun fact: the RS badges have a ‘v’ in front of them, as is customary in the United Kingdom. So vRS. The V stands for Victory, RS for Rally Sport. In the Netherlands, however, Skoda calls its sporty top models RS.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl