Following the reveal of the new hybrid-powered Octavia RS this year, Skoda has launched the new Octavia RS with the same 2.0L turbo that’s headed to Australia.
The new-generation Skoda Octavia RS will go on sale in Australia early next year, with the sedan and wagon now officially available in Europe.
The fourth-generation of the Czech firm’s hot hatch and wagon will be offered with petrol, diesel and, for the first time, plug-in hybrid powertrains. However, Skoda Australia will not take the new hybrid drivetrain which is shared with the new VW Golf GTE, instead electing to use one or both of the petrol/diesel 2.0-litre turbos that carry over.
The 180kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and will eventually be offered with a six-speed manual transmission as well.
The diesel uses a 147kW 2.0-litre engine, which is DSG-only. Both variants can be optionally had with an on-demand four-wheel drive system. No performance or economy details have been released as yet.
Skoda first released details of the RS iV plug-in hybrid, which has a 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol engine mated to a 85kW electric motor for a combined system output of 180kW (identical to the petrol RS) and 400Nm. That’s enough for a 0-100km/h time of 7.3sec and a top speed of 245km/h.
Revealed in both hatchback and estate forms, the fourth generation of the hot Octavia receives typical vRS design cues including 19-inch alloy wheels, twin tailpipes, a wider front bumper, a black grille, air curtains and rear apron that includes a black diffuser. Black door mirrors also feature and the hatch receives a black rear spoiler, although the estate’s is body coloured.
Black wheels hide red-finished brake calipers, while full-LED matrix headlights and LED tail-lights are standard.
Inside includes Alcantara RS-branded seats that are electrically adjustable and heated for both driver and front passenger. The headlining and dashboard trim features Alcantara as well, and there are aluminium pedals.
Contrasting stitching for the sports steering wheel and seats aims to liven up the cabin, as does LED ambient lighting with 10 colours and the option of assigning different colours to the dashboard or footwell or creating “coordinated light scenarios”.
Further standard equipment includes a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Skoda’s latest ‘always online’ MIB3 interface and offering a variety of connected services. A 10-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display also features, as does adaptive cruise control, tri-zone climate control, an electric tailgate, front and rear parking sensors and keyless entry.
The Octavia RS is fitted with retuned ‘signature RS’ sports suspension, which (on petrol and diesel versions only) lowers the car by 15mm compared with the standard model. Progressive steering is standard, too.
Lawrence Allan