Skoda's hottest Octavia arrives

Skoda has today launched the RS halo model of its new Octavia range, which arrived in Australia last November.

Available in both sedan and wagon body styles – and with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines -- the new Octavia RS range opens at $36,490 (plus on-road costs) for the six-speed manual 162TSI sedan.

Choosing the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic version, which Skoda expects most buyers to do, bumps the price up by $2300, to $38,790 plus ORCs.

Moving to the diesel, available only with a DSG transmission, costs an additional $1000, taking the RRP to $39,790.

A wagon is available across the range for an additional $1350, bringing the 162TSI manual wagon price to $37,840, the DSG price to $40,140 and the top-shelf diesel auto wagon to $41,140 (all plus ORCs).

Skoda’s latest Octavia RS is based on the Volkswagen group’s familiar MQB platform and once again features specific performance tuning, includes a sport chassis which reduces ride height by 12mm in sedan and 13mm in wagon form.

Representing the third generation of VW’s venerable EA888 engine, the 2.0-litre petrol engine’s outputs have been bumped to 162kW/350Nm and it employs idle-stop technology, contributing to an overall reduction in fuel consumption to 6.4L/100km – down from 7.7L/100km in the 147kW model it replaces.

In 2.0-litre diesel form, the Octavia RS produces 135kW/380Nm, with economy down to 5.2L/100km.

Specific exterior RS tweaks include bi-xenon headlights with LED running lamps, LED tail-lights, twin bumper-integrated exhausts, specific 18-inch RS Design alloy wheels, a rear bootlid spoiler for the sedan and larger roof spoiler for the wagon. Red brake callipers are also standard.

Inside, the red theme continues with interior stitching on the three-spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear shifter and RS-specific sports seats with integrated head restraints.

The eight-inch colour display with ‘Columbus’ satellite-navigation is also standard, along with dual-zone climate-control, automatic headlights and wipers, and an auto-dimming rear-vision mirror. Drive mode selection will also be standard from April.

All RS variants gain variable-ratio steering, two-stage switchable stability control and nine airbags, along with Volkswagen’s familiar multi-collision brake, driver fatigue detection and electronic extended differential lock. Like its siblings, the RS version of the Octavia has a five-star ANCAP rating.

Options include an alarm, 18-inch ‘Gemini’ or 19-inch ‘X’treme’ alloys, a sunroof (sedan), panoramic roof (wagon), chrome plated window frames and an automatic boot release for the wagon.

The Tech Pack, which has proved popular on the regular Octavia range, will come on-stream from mid-year, though pricing hasn’t yet been finalised. It will include adaptive cruise control, city emergency brake and front assist, auto park assist, keyless entry and starting, 10-speaker premium sound and a rear-view camera.

Additionally, an ‘18-inch black pack’ consists of black wing mirror covers, grille, roof rails (wagon) and the black ‘Gemini’ wheels for $500. For a further $500 you can grab the 19-inch version that adds the aforementioned X’treme alloys.

Check back shortly for our full review, including driving impressions.

2014 Skoda Octavia RS pricing (plus ORCs):
162TSI sedan -- $36,490
162TSI wagon -- $37,840
162TSI sedan (a) -- $38,790
162TSI wagon (a) -- $40,140
135TDI sedan (a) -- $39,790
135TDI wagon (a) – 41,140

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