2021 Octavia RS Should Have 200 HP for TDI and 245 HP Hybrid TSI

While Volkswagen's smaller Golf 8 stopped its output at 150 horsepower, Skoda has already announced a 200 hp version of the Octavia. It's a new 2.0 TDI system that, for now, has 4x4 and a 7-speed DSG. However, we believe this is also one of the engines for the next Octavia RS and should work with manuals.

It was like that before; the 184 hp 2-liter diesel powered the normal Octavia, the Scout, and the RS. Simple maths tells the output has gone up by 16 hp, while torque is increased by 20 (from 380 to 400 Nm). We know that many of you Skoda critics don't consider the TDI to be a true RS. But the setup was introduced over a decade ago and continued to be popular.

What's changing with the launch of the 2021 model is a "hybrid" model. Skoda officials have already stated that it will be part of the new RS lineup, though we're not sure what to expect here. On one hand, this setup could be the 245 hp 1.4-liter plug-in from the next Golf GTE. On the other, we could just be dealing with a 2-liter turbo that just adds energy recovery. Heck, we could even have both.

Everybody expects a bigger four-cylinder on their RS, so it will be interesting to see if Skoda tried the plug-in downsizing stuff. Their first fully-electric car, previewed by the Vision iV, could have 306 hp thus making it more powerful and potentially as quick as our hero here.

In any case, the segregation between the RS TDI and TSI could continue. For example, the TDI should get AWD but might lack the XDS+ diff or the active sound (inside). On the other hand, the TSI could take back the title of Skoda's most powerful car, stolen by the high-end Superb. We know that Volkswagen wants to take the next-gen GTI all the way to 300 HP, the same engine being planned for the Cupra Leon wagon. But if it does, this could end up being a €45,000 Skoda.