Following the debut of the new Skoda Octavia RS iV as a plug-in hybrid, the company has revealed more details on the rest of the sporty saloon offering. That Octavia RS iV utilises a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine working in tandem with an electric motor to give it an output of 245hp and a battery-only driving range of up to 60 kilometres.
Joining that version is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that will be available with the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed automatic, both driving the front wheels. Power output from the petrol engine is 245hp - matching the PHEV model - and torque is 370Nm, which is slightly less than the 400Nm of the RS iV. The 2.0 TSI engine will give the Octavia RS a top speed of 250km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds, which is a tenth of a second slower over that sprint than the previous Octavia RS 245. Skoda will also equip the TSI petrol model with its VAQ electronically controlled limited-slip differential. It uses predictive torque management and has a maximum locking torque of 1,600NM, much higher than the 500Nm that the XDS+ differential is capable of.
A diesel Octavia RS will join the range
For the diesel model, the Skoda Octavia RS will only be available to order with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Power output is lower at 200hp with torque being the same 400Nm as the PHEV. Buyers will be able to choose from either a front- or all-wheel-drive transmission with the diesel engine. It is a tenth of a second slower than the petrol in the dash to 100kmh, taking 6.8 seconds in the case of the all-wheel-drive version.
All models of the Octavia RS will get a sport chassis setup featuring specific spring and damper setups. The car's ride height is also 15mm lower than the regular saloon. Optionally, buyers can also specify Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) suspension that adds adaptive dampers to offer a broader range of performance. To ensure the TSI and PHEV versions have plenty fo stopping power, the Skoda wears 340x30mm front discs and 310x22mm rotors on the rear. The diesel variant will get 16-inch front and 15-inch rear discs.
Every version of the Octavia RS gets a progressive steering system that reduces the number of lock-to-lock turns from 2.7 in a regular setup to 2.1 turns. It receives a specific tuning for the RS to complement the rest of the chassis setup. Engineers say that it strikes a balance that owners will experience in driving conditions that range from inner city traffic and parking to twisting roads and more enthusiastic driving.
František Drábek, Head of the Compact Model Range at Škoda Auto, said: "No matter which drive concept you opt for as an OCTAVIA RS enthusiast, Škoda's RS models deliver exactly what you would expect: they combine the performance that has been cherished by customers for decades and supreme everyday practicality. All three drive systems are convincing with their consistent power delivery and excellent fuel consumption, and showcase the latest technology in impressive style."
Stylish interior and bespoke displays for the Octavia RS
The interior of the Octavia RS gets a lovely revamp, and it is by far the best one that Skoda has done to date. Supportive sporty seats are one of the standout features, and these come swathed in black fabric or the option of Alcantara with subtle red detailing. That same grey Alcantara continues across the central panel of the dashboard. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster gets a specific RS welcome screen and offers unique views depending on what drive mode is in use. The three-spoke steering wheel features a flat bottom and perforated leather upholstery. For cars fitted with the DSG automatic transmission, there is a short rocker switch for selecting drive or reverse, but the steering wheel still has paddles mounted for shifting manually if you wish.
Another first for the Octavia RS will be the introduction of a new centre airbag system that deploys between the front seats to add more protection for occupants in the event of a crash. The module is located in the side of the front driver's seat (or passenger seat in right hand drive markets) and deploys to fill the gap between the front seats and prevent head clashes. Skoda will also make this standard in the Octavia Scout, and it will be available as an option in the rest of the Octavia range.