Skoda Octavia RS launched at Rs. 24.6 lakh

The 227bhp Skoda Octavia RS has now been launched at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 24.62 lakh.

It’s been a long time coming, but the Skoda Octavia RS or more often called as Octavia vRS has now been launched at Rs 24.6 lakh (ex-showroom). Skoda had the previous generations of the Octavia on sale in the vRS avatar too but they sold few numbers due to limited demand. Skoda skipped the third-generation model in India, and have now directly brought in this facelifted version. 

At the heart of the Octavia vRS is a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline motor that pumps out 227bhp and 350Nm. This is the same motor that is also found in the Volkswagen Golf in the international market. The standard Octavia with the 1.8-litre petrol motor is good for 177bhp and 250Nm. The launch of the RS makes it the most powerful sub-30 lakh offering in the Indian market, a claim that was held by the Volkswagen Polo GTI until now. The Octavia RS comes mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission. to transfer the power to the front wheels. The Octavia vRS is also equipped with disc brakes all around and the suspension has been tuned to be stiffer and has been lowered by 15mm. The vRS also features cornering braking torque vectoring system. 

Although the overall design of the Octavia RS remains identical to the standard trim, Skoda has made a few changes to give it the sporty appeal that the engine flaunts. The front bumper has been redesigned and now has a larger air dam. At the back, there is the rear spoiler and the twin-trapezoidal exhaust pipes that add to the visual appeal. Skoda has also fitted it with alloy wheels that are exclusive to the RS variant. 

Inside the RS, you are greeted with sportier front seats with better side bolstering and vRS insignia on the Alcantara and leather upholstery. The seats and the steering wheel have contrast stitching to make it look sporty. Equipment levels remain the same as the top-spec standard Octavia. As for the exterior paint, the vRS will be offered with 10 different colours.`

The Skoda Octavia RS doesn’t quite have a direct competitor in the Indian market, but if the price is something to go by, it will hold its own against the VW Polo GTI and the Mini Cooper S.