The Skoda Octavia RS is confirmed for an India launch in 2025, returning as a high-performance sedan imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). Skoda India brand director Mr. Ashish Gupta confirmed the iconic sports sedan will be returning later this year. The Octavia RS will attract petrolheads and driving enthusiasts alike. It follows up on the introduction of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, with Indian buyers having two options for performance-oriented cars from the Volkswagen Group.
Engine & Performance
The Skoda Octavia RS is powered by a 2.0L TSI engine, producing 265 BHP and 370 NM of torque. It’s paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 KM/H in 6.4 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 KM/H. The Octavia RS shares its engine and core architecture with the Volkswagen Golf GTI, though the latter is slightly quicker off the line due to its lighter hatchback body.
Interior
Inside, the Octavia RS features a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10-inch digital driver’s display, ambient lighting, a premium sound system, electrically adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and wireless phone charging. It features special sports seats with extra bolstering and red stitching. The interior is fully blacked out to emphasise the sporty character of this special sedan.
The car is loaded with safety features and has a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. It comes with ABS, with EBD, electronic stability control, ISOFIX mounts, and a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Rivals & Market Positioning
Compared to entry-level luxury German sedans like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, the Skoda Octavia RS is larger, more practical and has better performance. The Octavia RS offers a longer wheelbase and more interior space, especially for rear passengers, making it better for family usage. In this segment, the luxury Germans offer power outputs of around 190-200 BHP, which are far below the Octavia RS’s 265 BHP output. The Octavia RS also provides a richer feature set at a lower price point, including a larger infotainment screen. Going with luxury brands gets you badge value, but the Octavia RS is a something you can use daily.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI, sharing its powertrain with the Octavia RS, offers a hatchback alternative with a slightly lighter build and sharper acceleration. Both models cater to enthusiasts, but the Octavia RS brings the added benefit of a larger boot and greater rear seat comfort which can be more practical and acceptable to families.
What About The Standard Octavia?
While the Octavia RS is moving forward, Skoda has put the launch of the standard Octavia, Superb, Superb diesel, and Kodiaq RS on hold. This is because the factory producing these models isn’t capable of producing CKD kits, and importing all these models as CBUs doesn’t make sense. The company had previously showcased the Superb diesel and evaluated the return of diesel powertrains.
