Skoda Octavia RS 2009 Review
Fast, frugal and ultimately a lot of fun, the new RS range delivers bang for your bucksSkoda Octavia RS
Sydney, NSW
What we liked
>> Turbo engines
>> Balanced chassis
>> New visual cues
>> Where's the RS-P?
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 2.5/5.0
OVERVIEW
The Octavia had the heart of a German car (VW's Golf to be precise) but the price point of a Japanese model. It was a tidy-looking front-wheel drive vehicle that drove nicely. It was a good car that didn't sell in huge numbers because of unfamiliarity with the brand. Who was Skoda, and what did it stand for?
One of the key factors to marketing the Skoda name -- one of the few carmakers to post month-on-month sales increases thus far in Australia during 2009 -- was that it had a halo model. Enter the Octavia RS…
And now the RS has been given a facelift to match its humble stablemates with changes to the car inside and out. It features a more modern look complete with LED driving lights, improved interior ergonomics, a more modern centre console and a number of other touches that sweeten the deal.
On top of a tighter chassis, wider tyres and other performance upgrades over the standard models, the Octavia RS offers excellent bang for you buck priced at around $40k (not including dealer or statutory charges).
Starting at $37,990 for the 147kW Octavia RS 2.0 TSI petrol model with a six-speed manual, the value for money equation is very persuasive. The standard features list encompasses things like a three-spoke leather steering, alloy pedals, bolstered front sport seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning with pollen filter, an eight-speaker 'Bolero' stereo with six-disc CD stacker and MP3 player, plus an auxiliary input socket.
Cruise control and a multi-function trip computer come in handy on longer drives and other convenience features added as standard include automatic lights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, power windows and mirrors, an auto dimming rear view mirror, heated front seats, a plethora of different sized cup holder and a chillable glovebox, plus various other storage cubbies.
VAG's (Volkswagen Audi Group) excellent DSG six-speed automated sequential manual gearbox will add another $2300 to the price of any model and includes paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel rim.
Turbodiesel Octavia RS models command a premium over the turbo petrol variants of $2000, while the wagons add the same amount again. The most expensive model is therefore the Octavia RS wagon 2.0 TDI equipped with the DSG, priced from $44,290.
There's also an extensive options list which includes xenon headlights, an electric glass sunroof, front parking sensors, leather seats, metallic or pearl effect paint, satellite navigation system with a 30Gb hard drive, an alarm with interior monitoring, and an SD card slot.
MECHANICAL
This is one aspect of the new Octavia RS that hasn't been updated as part of the mid-life upgrade, but as anyone who's tested this 2.0-litre turbo engine will know, it's still a fantastic unit.
The diesel engine, meanwhile, is a 125kW/350Nm version of the latest VAG common rail powerplant.
Even when lugging around almost 1500kg, the liftback petrol RS is capable of accelerating from zero 100km/h in 7.3sec (8.4secs for the diesel). We had the car easily topping 180km/h quick smart at Camden airport during the launch drive. At least in performance terms, the RS (Rally Sport) badge is more than just an idle boast.
The manual version of the Octavia RS 2.0 TFSI petrol has a claimed average fuel consumption of 7.7L/100km and 7.9L/100km with the DSG.
The diesel-powered models return 5.9L/100km in the manual and 6.0L/100km in the DSG and carbon dioxide emissions are low, starting at 155g/km for diesel and 179g/km for petrol models.
The six-speed manual transmission that is fitted as standard equipment is a nice little unit, but Skoda predicts around 80 per cent of buyers will fork out the extra $2300 and opt for DSG.
Boasting a newly designed front end that incorporates progressive looking LED running lights that flank a larger air intake and revised front fascia, the new Octavia RS is a more dynamic proposition than the previous model. Indeed, sitting on larger 18-inch alloy wheels (16-inch spare), boasting red brake callipers, sports suspension, tinted windows, side indicators on the mirrors, and chrome exhaust pipes, the Octavia RS doesn't hide it's performance bent.
The interior is well equipped and has comfortable seats and there's enough room for two or three rear seat passengers, despite a relatively compact 4597mm overall length. The boot is surprisingly large: 560 litres in the liftback and 580 litres in the wagon, extending to 1420 and 1620 litres respectively, when the rear seats are folded down.
With a much improved centre console (controls and centre fascia are borrowed from the new VW Golf and Passat models), the Skoda Octavia RS has a quality feel. It does miss out on the metal trim and fancy extras that some of Volkswagen's more precious models get but offsetting that is the fact that some drivers will view the extra space -- especially in the wagon -- and practicality as more important than interior glitz.
Soft touch dash plastics are a nice inclusion and an in-depth trip computer with functions for time, external temperature, actual consumption, average consumption, mileage, driving time, average speed, service interval display and tank range will appeal to the careful driver.
On the other side of the coin, contrasting black/white sports seats with Alcantara inserts, alloy pedals and a 270km/h speedometer will appeal to the enthusiastic driver. Monotone black leather heated seats are a $2830 option.
Another nice feature of the Skoda Octavia RS is the AQS or air quality sensor, which is fitted as standard. It detects when the air quality drops and automatically switches to recirculation mode, stopping outside contaminants flowing in through the air vents. This came in handy when cruising through Sydney's M5 tunnel.
SAFETY
The Octavia has a four star safety rating from Euro NCAP, which is a good score, but not class leading as some of its pricier rivals boast more advanced features including stronger safety cells and more airbags.
Available in both liftback and wagon variants, the Octavia RS crosses over a number of segments -- notably the hot hatch arena.
Volkswagen's own GTi would be high on the list and you can also add Audi's A3 Sportback (and perhaps even entry-level A4 Avant models). The Golf and A3 share mechanicals with the RS so it would be interesting to test the cars back to back.
Outside of the Volkswagen group, the Octavia RS could be seen as a rival for the likes of the Mazda 3 MPS, Subaru WRX and Lancer Ralliart Sportback. Up the dollar trail and some Alfa Romeo models, such as the 159 Sportwagon, might even come into consideration. The Italian is one of the few sporty small/medium wagons on the market Down Under but is priced considerably higher than the Skoda.
While the liftback has many hot-hatch rivals, the wagon is in a class of its own with very few -- if any -- challengers that can match it for price, performance, and specification. There are no high performance versions of the Mazda6 or Ford Mondeo wagons (even though they are larger vehicles), which ultimately gives the Octavia RS wagon a nice little niche all its own.
ON THE ROAD
-- Back straight bandit
While the interior and exterior of the Skoda Octavia RS have been redesigned to provide a more modern ambience, the petrol Octavia RS's powertrain and chassis are largely unchanged.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing because the Octavia RS was always a plucky performer and as our full-throttle testing at Camden Airport west of Sydney proved, it'll take a lot of punishment too.
Before we got to the sizzling, heat-soaked brakes and white knuckled circuit impressions, it's fair to say that the Skoda Ocatavia RS is an accessible car. The six-speed automated manual gearbox, or DSG, which operates like a traditional automatic makes driving the Octavia RS a piece of cake, but even the six-speed manual is a nice shifter.
The only question you need to ask yourself as you pull away from standstill is whether you want to drive smoothly, or arc up the front wheels? Indeed, the surfeit of torque -- in both diesel and petrol models -- is immediate.
The DSG in particular put the Octavia RS's power to the ground with impressive efficacy from a standing start and, once moving, there's enough mid range urge to overtake slower moving vehicles with effortless ease.
After leaving Sydney airport and heading down the M5, it was evident that coarser surfaces contributed to some tyre noise from the 225/40 R18 hoops, and there was a touch of wind noise audible when the radio was turned off (the car has a drag co-efficient of 0.31).
Despite the sports suspension and low profile tyres, the ride quality in the Octavia RS was good. It was firm, yes, but not so stiff that you feel every little bump shoot up your spine, and it handled Australian roads well.
When push comes to shove, the Octavia's relaxed nature goes out the window, replaced with a hard-charging and confident countenance.
Skoda organised a day at Camden airport for the local launch, where Top Gear Australia films its track tests, and once out on the makeshift circuit the Octavia came to life, its chassis displaying balance and composure.
After an initial lap focusing on the circuit layout and getting a feel for the car, the Octavia RS exhibited good control at the limit. The nose did dive under hard brakes and the front end would push wide at times as body roll crept in under higher G-loads, but when driven well the car's components came together very nicely.
It's a communicative vehicle. Grip levels were good and steering, though light, was responsive. Brakes provided good feel and strong bite. Furthermore the stoppers stood up to repeated punishment as the gathered media continued to hot lap the cars for hours.
Some of the vehicles would enter the pits reeking of burnt metals with smoke pouring off the discs and though there was a touch of fade at times, the brakes stood up very well, particularly considering the high level and consistency of the thrashings they took.
The 2.0 TFSI petrol model with the DSG was definitely the pick in terms of outright lap times. While the Octavia RS diesel has more torque, its inability to rev past 4500rpm limited its usefulness on a track. It has a more economical engine with a creamier power delivery that gives the car a more refined feel at times, but if performance is your aim the turbocharged petrol engine should be your first port of call.
The Skoda Octavia RS is an accomplished car that deserves attention. It is just as composed cruising on the freeway as it is eating up apexes. Available in wagon and liftback guises, diesel or petrol, manual or auto, there are few cars out there that offer comparable levels of equipment, space and performance for the price.
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