The Skoda Octavia RS (dubbed vRS in Britain) has been a very eagerly anticipated car for 2013, and now it’s here, in all its subtle glory. It looks exactly like you would imagine it to, it has the 220 PS (217 hp) we were expecting it to have, and its exterior modifications over the regular Octavia are visible, but they are characteristically subtle, again, like you were expecting.
If you were anticipating it to reach 62 mph or 100 km/h in just under 7 seconds, your guess was spot on, as it does it only two tenths faster than that at 6.8 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph (248 km/h). These figures are for the 2.0-liter petrol engine, while the other (predictable) option, the 2.0-liter diesel with 184 PS (181 hp) is a bit slower, but a lot more economical. It deals with the benchmark sprint in 8.1 seconds, and its top speed is 145 mph or 232 km/h.
However, even those who choose the DSG automatic gearbox (six-speed manual is standard) will only have six gears to play with. This is not necessarily a bad thing for the automatic that will use more of the engines’ torque, instead of shuffling through the gears for the most efficient one and not settling down, as you’d want.
Skoda claims that with the efficient overall construction and improvements in green tech, this third generation hot Octavia is 19 percent more efficient than the outgoing model, which wasn’t a thirsty car to begin with. It also sports improved handling over the previous model and features the XDS electronically simulated limited-slip differential, which is meant to reduce understeer tendency in corners and improve overall agility.
When it comes to exterior mods, there is really nothing to write home about, aside from the rims this first car comes with, which I quite fancy – they are easily the main focal point when looking at the car from its side profile, and one of four all-new designs specially created for the RS. They are available in 17-, 18- and 19-inch sizes to suit as wide a range of buyers as possible.
There’s a new bumper, new headlights and grille, as well as different side skirts, and a rear bumper that neatly houses two large tailpipes, but that’s pretty much all there is – the blue pain finish is also worth mentioning, because like in the case of the Maserati Ghibli, it’s often a nice color like this which turns a car’s appearance around for the better.
Skoda has not released any interior shots, but as with the exterior, don’t expect anything too fancy, in terms of flamboyant design or radical modifications. According to the manufacturer, “the interior of the new ŠKODA Octavia RS is characterized by the sporty, black interior.” This must mean that they have a black theme going with the passenger compartment, which should be spruced up with touches like special stitching, materials, seats as well as unique steering wheel and gear knob. We also anticipate seeing some subtle RS badging in and around the cabin.
The Octavia RS will be available as both a liftback (which looks like a sedan) and an estate, with the latter being the more expensive of the two. Pricing has not been announced yet, but with the multitude of safety, comfort and entertainment options one will be presented with, few will stick to paying it the basic price and will opt for a higher-spec car.
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
