Photo: ABT Sportsline
The Octavia is still an odd looking car, but you can't hate the RS model. In the right color, this is one of the few family cars you can be proud of. Skip the TDI and go for the 2.0 TSI because you will then have access to an ABT power pack.
After the facelift, there are now two versions of the gasoline-powered RS, with 230 HP and 245 HP, respectively. The famous German tuner chose the latter because it's cheaper and more common.
A simple ECU update followed, and now she's purring to the sound of 315 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That's 85 HP and 100 Nm more, or about a Skoda Citigo's worth.
It won't make the Octavia RS faster than the Civic Type R, but the trips to Ikea will be more enjoyable... probably not for the passengers. We can't tell you how fast they will hit 62mph, but it's probably 6 seconds or thereabout.
Because it's not as popular as the GTI, ABT chose to enhance the Octavia RS using basic tech instead of fancy body kits. Thus, the suspension system is lower by 20mm, which improves the handling. But we would have loved to see a carbon-clad Octavia.
Stock 18-inch wheels were replaced by ABT-built aftermarket alloys measuring 8.5x19-inch in size, wrapped in 225/35 high-performance Continental tires. You can also buy some ABT floor mats, though we think that would be a strange thing to do.
At €30,890, the Octavia RS is not cheaper than a new Volkswagen Golf GTI until you realize the Germans charge extra for the doors and don't offer this big a trunk. But really, Skoda is just competitive that way.
The only part that's second-rate about this car is the fact that it doesn't come with a digital dashboard. But the seat comfort and a number of tech features compensate. As standard, the wagon version you see in the video manages 6.5 l/100km combined and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds. So it will move your furniture and drag race a Clio RS afterward. Nice!
A simple ECU update followed, and now she's purring to the sound of 315 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That's 85 HP and 100 Nm more, or about a Skoda Citigo's worth.
It won't make the Octavia RS faster than the Civic Type R, but the trips to Ikea will be more enjoyable... probably not for the passengers. We can't tell you how fast they will hit 62mph, but it's probably 6 seconds or thereabout.
Because it's not as popular as the GTI, ABT chose to enhance the Octavia RS using basic tech instead of fancy body kits. Thus, the suspension system is lower by 20mm, which improves the handling. But we would have loved to see a carbon-clad Octavia.
Stock 18-inch wheels were replaced by ABT-built aftermarket alloys measuring 8.5x19-inch in size, wrapped in 225/35 high-performance Continental tires. You can also buy some ABT floor mats, though we think that would be a strange thing to do.
At €30,890, the Octavia RS is not cheaper than a new Volkswagen Golf GTI until you realize the Germans charge extra for the doors and don't offer this big a trunk. But really, Skoda is just competitive that way.
The only part that's second-rate about this car is the fact that it doesn't come with a digital dashboard. But the seat comfort and a number of tech features compensate. As standard, the wagon version you see in the video manages 6.5 l/100km combined and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds. So it will move your furniture and drag race a Clio RS afterward. Nice!
Google News