Skoda planning to make limited edition 276bhp Octavia RS

Czech media has reported that Skoda is planning to roll out a special edition of the Skoda Octavia RS. The car will be powered by Volkswagen Group’s EA888 petrol engine and will be the most powerful model in the Octavia series ever produced. To be revealed next year, the car will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the company’s most important rally car, the 130 RS.

The Skoda Octavia RS will powered by the four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which, in its detuned form, produces 276bhp, down from 295bhp it churns out in the Volkswagen Golf R. Unlike the Golf R, which gets a Haldex all-wheel-drive system, the Octavia will continue as a front-wheel-drive car.

The same engine in FWD configuration is used in Volkswagen group’s other hot hatchback, the Seat Leon Cupra. As both Leon Cupra and Octavia are based on the MQB platform, we are sure Skoda won’t have much problem in making the sedan handle all the extra power. Also expect the special edition Octavia RS to sport new alloy wheels and badges to set it apart from the regular Octavia.

Currently in its third generation, the Octavia is offered in India with two petrol and one diesel engine option. The 1.4-litre TSI petrol produces 138bhp and 250Nm of torque while the 2.0-litre TDI diesel produces 141bhp and 320Nm of torque. The third option is 1.8-litre TSI petrol which is the dark horse of the line-up. Producing 177bhp and 250Nm of torque, the 1.8 TSI is a performance sedan with the perfect blend of practicality and performance. The Octavia competes with other D-Segment sedans like Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, Chevrolet Cruze and Renault Fluence.