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NEWS
Skoda Rapid RS feasible
All-new Skoda Octavia RS to be joined by go-fast version of the Rapid small car if demand is thereSkoda will officially reveal the high performance MkIII Octavia RS sedan mid-year, but if customer demand is strong enough a piping hot version of the smaller Rapid could expand the RS range.
The Czech car maker's new Rapid small car and Octavia are both slated for release in Australia, in the first half and last quarter of 2013 respectively, and though the Octavia RS is unlikely to reach local shores until 2014, it could be joined by a smaller, more affordable hottie.
Frank Welsch, Skoda Board Member for Technical Development, told motoring.com.au at the Octavia's global launch in Portugal the RS badges could easily make its way onto other vehicles.
"Right now, we have this RS Octavia. However if customer demand is rising, we are happy to have other RS versions."
When questioned whether the next performance model would be the Rapid RS, Mr Welsch was far from buoyant: "Because RS has to be about performance, you cannot have an RS with 66kW. This is not the way. Otherwise then the RS isn't an RS anymore and it's just a touch of paint."
The upcoming Octavia RS is based on the same MQB platform as the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It is also powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged, direct-injected petrol four-cylinder engine as the iconic Golf GTI. That means we can expect an output of around 162kW/350Nm.
A slightly more potent 169kW/350Nm GTI engine is offered with the Golf, fitted with bigger front brakes and a mechanical slippery diff.
Whichever engine tune the Skoda Octavia RS is packaged with, it is expected to outperform the GTI in a straight line because it's a lighter vehicle, explained a Skoda insider.
That would mean the high octane Octavia RS would accelerate from 0-100km/h in under 6.6 seconds, which would see it square off against cars such as the 6.5 second Ford Focus ST.
Images of the alleged car were leaked recently, showing off a more aggressive posture via sports body kit with scalloped side skirts, trapezoidal exhausts, and bigger alloy wheels.
Mr Welsch confirmed that Skoda would officially unveil the car "in the middle of the year" and said it will be offered in both wagon and sedan body styles exclusively as a front-wheel drive vehicle.
He also noted the Octavia Scout is on its way, a high-riding wagon version with all-wheel drive.
Just don't expect a go-fast six-cylinder RS model any time soon... Mr Welsch said that while a Superb RS could not be ruled out, it was highly unlikely.
"Superb is definitely no car which has any RS characteristic. It is more elegant, premium. This is what superb customers expect. Of course they like performance, but they prefer luxury."
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Written byFeann Torr
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