Skoda Octavia RS 2009 Review - International

What we liked
>> Octavia's packaging and practicality
>> Petrol engine's sporty power delivery
>> Diesel's touring prowess

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine and Drivetrain: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

But the cars have already hit the roads in Europe and we've driven them. Indeed, from a day's drive through Hungary and Slovakia, we can say that Skoda hasn't tampered unnecessarily with the Octavia RS' virtues, but the new styling refreshes the look of the car and aligns it more closely with the new 'family' look evinced in the Superb we'll see this month.

If the new headlight styling seems a touch generic, there is at least the benefit of a slightly improved drag coefficient to reduce wind noise and fuel consumption. On the downside, it retains door handles that clearly owe much to the Volkswagen Golf -- and some will say that the combination of thick roof pillars, high waist and slab-sided doors don't do the Octavia any favours, facelift or not.

Skoda plans to introduce the facelifted Octavia RS here in September (more here).

As with the previous models, the new Octavia RS continues to produce 147kW of power and 280Nm of torque from its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, or 125kW and 350Nm from its 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel. Both engines deliver the same output, whether driving through the standard six-speed manual or six-speed DSG transmissions.

In Europe, fuel consumption figures based on combined cycle testing are 7.5L/100km (manual) or 7.7L/100km (DSG) for the petrol variants or 5.7L/100km (manual) and 6.0L/100km (DSG) for the diesels. CO2 emissions range from 150g/km for the manual diesel to 180g/km for the DSG petrol. These figures are unlikely to change for the Australian market.

Drive is transferred to the front alloy wheels, which measure 7.0Jx17 and are fitted with 225/45 R17 tyres. The cars driven were European-spec models, so there's a possibility we'll still see the 18-inch wheels that have been fitted standard on the pre-facelift Octavia RS locally.

MacPherson struts suspend the car at the front and there's a multi-link IRS system for the rear. Steering is an electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion system and braking comprises ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear.

ON THE ROAD/TRACK

Acceleration from the diesel RS was pretty stodgy once the engine had reached 4000rpm. It will rev higher, but there's no point, since acceleration will be faster in a higher gear once you reach that speed.

There was little doubt that the petrol engine has more verve at higher revs -- much like the sort of engine speeds you would use on a racetrack. The shift paddles that were unfailingly responsive on the road were of limited value with the diesel model on the track. Driving the diesel variant, you might as well leave the gearchanging to the DSG and just get on with the steering, braking and accelerating.

Short of a power-off flick, the Octavia RS TDi was more an understeerer on the track. In some ways, the new track -- and this reviewer's lack of familiarity with said track -- kind of highlighted what was already apparent from our drive of the diesel RS at Wakefield Park last year… The diesel variant requires more 'setting up' on a race track; power and torque delivery is never where you want them to be, when you want them and, despite the multitude of forward speeds offered in the DSG, the ratios were not right for a blast between corners on this track.

It seemed like the Euro Ring, being a significantly tighter track than Wakefield Park, coerces more understeer from the Octavia RS -- and that's exacerbated by the diesel drivetrain. On a more open track, the Octavia is much closer to neutral and will oversteer in the right circumstances.

Skoda has set up the electronic safety aids (antilock brakes and stability control) to provide some latitude for press-on motoring -- particularly handy on a racetrack. The Octavia's safety nannies allowed the wheels to lock up briefly before releasing pressure, for instance.

On the road, the Octavia is refined and composed. Either engine lends itself to high-speed touring and, in fact, both engines are happier with more revs in hand. At 1500rpm and below, the diesel's labouring is heard rather than felt. It's not quite as fuss-free in this circumstance as other diesels -- or indeed newer common-rail Volkswagen Group turbodiesel engines.

The petrol engine is sharper in its throttle response, but needs to be working above 5000rpm to give its best. The diesel's looking forward to an RDO at that sort of speed.

Shift paddles for the DSG box provided split-second response to the driver's input and were welcome on the road. With a manual transmission, the shift action for was acceptable, albeit slightly rubbery.

Octavia's steering and handling on the road were fine, although the ride may be a little too firm for some. How it 'translates' to our own roads will have to wait until a local drive later this year.

Either way, we would argue that if you find the Octavia RS's ride bone-jarring, then this car, the Renault Megane RS and the Ford Mondeo XR5 are not the sort of cars you should be considering.

But, if you are considering such a car -- and you're not constrained by a 'hot hatch' mentality -- the Octavia RS can exclusively offer you a 'warm wagon' as well...

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