They say the Octavia RS 245 is the most powerful Skoda ever made, but it's not. We think of it as the Czech model with the broadest athletic abilities. Considering one of these costs about €35,000, it's little wonder that the marketing department filmed so much video promo footage, not that we mind.
That's a lot of money to pay for a Skoda, but buyers figured out long ago that the BMW 320d isn't the only family car with a light under its bushel. So the VW sister brand has been able to inset even more into the development of the RS.
Powering both the "sedan" and Combi models is the ubiquitous VW Group 2.0 TSI, found in nearly every MQB car. In this case, the output of 245 PS (242bhp) and 370n Nm of torque go to the front wheels via either a standard manual or the new 7-speed DSG gearbox. The new Octavia RS model hits 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. Only the Superb 280 can outdo it, but their 250 km/h top speed is the same.
The only problem with the incremental change is that it creates very little difference between the old RS and new one. Would you sell your 230 PS car just to get a 245 PS one? And it's not like the XDS+ differential or adaptive dampers are new features either.
Unlike the Golf GTI, the Octavia hot hatch doesn't get a 12.3-inch digital dash option. But the screen for the 9.2-inch Columbus navigation system is bigger, more connected and rich in features.
Click the RS button on the center console and the dampers become stiffer, the throttle response is sharper and fruitier exhaust is produced... by a speaker. When you're not in the mood, things can also be dialed down with Comfort mode.
Standard on all 245 models is flashy black trim, 19-inch wheels wearing P-Zero tires and an interior geared towards space and an upmarket feel rather than boy-racer appeal.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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