Skoda Octavia RS explained in detail

The Skoda Octavia RS has been launched in India and has been priced at Rs 24.62 lakhs (all India ex-showroom). It’s the most powerful car that Skoda has ever brought to India and this time around, it’s the full blown RS spec car. This is the third Octavia RS for the Indian market and we have delved into the history of this performance vehicle since its launch here in 2005.   

Putting RS in the Skoda Octavia RS is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 230bhp/350Nm. The engine has been mated to a six-speed dual clutch gearbox and aiding all this power is a trick front differential, lowered ride height and stiffer suspension to give the car better handling.
Octavia’s have always been known to have an under-the-radar look, but this car is quite loud thanks to its bright hues, big wheels, RS badges and of course, that swanky body kit. Despite the sporty leanings, what you get is, in essence, a top-of-the-line version of the Octavia in terms of bits and features. Unique to this car are alacantera seats which add to the sporty quotient.
  
This Octavia RS is priced Rs 2 lakhs more than the top-of-the-line diesel AT variant of the car. This puts it in a price range where you get SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, SsangYong Rexton, Honda CR-V, Isuzu MU-X and possibly the Renault Captur, once it is launched. You can also have sedans like the lower spec versions of the Skoda Superb if you want something closer to the ground but with an equally large presence. 

However, the real competition for this car, when you take it for what it’s meant to be, is the Volkswagen GTI and the Mini Cooper S. This car sits smack in the middle of both performance machines in terms of pricing but is far more powerful than both vehicles in terms of what is on offer. It will also have the added advantage of being a sedan with four doors and a big boot as compared to the other two which are three-door hatchbacks.