Skoda Octavia RS

Octavia RS at a glance

The RS badge marks the quickest Octavia in each generation. It combines the space of a large family car with lower, stiffer suspension, sports seats and more powerful engines, many of them shared with Volkswagen's Golf GTI and GTD. All Octavias are built by Škoda in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, where the first generation was made in the modernised factory. Other Octavia versions include the rugged Octavia Scout, and Škoda's range, from the Rapid to the Kodiaq, is in the Škoda catalogue.

First and second generations (2001–2013)

The first Octavia RS used a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 132 kW (180 PS) at 5,500 rpm and 235 Nm. In 2002 Škoda built 100 WRC Replica cars, all white with rally decals and with ESP, xenon headlights and heated front seats as standard. The second-generation RS arrived in October 2005 with a 2.0 TFSI engine producing 147 kW (200 PS) and 280 Nm, followed in 2006 by the first RS diesel, a 2.0 TDI with 125 kW (170 PS) and 350 Nm. A facelift, shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, went on sale in 2009. In August 2011 a specially prepared Octavia RS reached 365.43 km/h at Bonneville, a record for cars with engines of up to two litres.

Third-generation Octavia RS (2013–2020)

The third RS premiered as a liftback and a Combi estate at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013. Its 2.0 TSI petrol engine came from the Golf GTI and its 2.0 TDI from the Golf GTD. The facelift, unveiled in Vienna on 10 January 2017, introduced split front headlights and the RS 245.

The RS 230, unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, added an electronic front differential lock and lower, stiffer springs. According to the old 1cars text, the four-wheel-drive diesel version joined the range in autumn 2015.

Design and aerodynamics

According to the old 1cars text, the third-generation RS has xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights as standard, a black grille with an RS badge, a deeper front bumper with a large mesh air intake, red brake calipers and a rear diffuser with exhaust outlets at both sides. A rear spoiler on the tailgate adds downforce at high speed; it is prominent on the liftback and much less visible on the Combi. Wheels range from 17 to 19 inches.

RS interior and boot space

Inside, the old 1cars text describes an all-black cabin with carbon-look trim, a three-spoke perforated-leather steering wheel, sports seats with integrated head restraints, red or grey stitching, aluminium pedals and an 8-inch touchscreen. The liftback holds 590 litres, or 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded according to the old 1cars text; the Combi holds 610 litres, rising to 1,740 litres.

Chassis and dimensions

The RS uses MacPherson struts at the front, independent multi-link rear suspension, variable-ratio electric power steering and disc brakes, with settings tuned for sportier handling. The old 1cars text quotes the following dimensions for the facelifted third-generation liftback.

Safety equipment

The old 1cars text lists nine airbags, Front Assist with emergency braking, Lane Assist, driver fatigue detection, adaptive cruise control, Light Assist, traffic-sign recognition and Park Assist among the equipment available on the third-generation RS.

Fourth-generation Octavia RS (from 2020)

After the new Octavia was revealed in Prague in November 2019, the RS followed as a liftback and an estate from June 2020. The 2.0 TSI produces 180 kW (245 PS) and 370 Nm and reaches 250 km/h, with 0–100 km/h in 6.8 seconds (manual) or 6.7 seconds (automatic). The RS iV plug-in hybrid combines a 1.4 TSI with an electric motor for 180 kW (245 PS) and 400 Nm, reaches 225 km/h and emits about 26 g/km of CO₂. The facelift unveiled on 14 February 2024 raised the RS's power output further.

Rivals: how the Octavia RS compares

The Octavia RS competes with fast hatchbacks and estates such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Ford Focus ST and the Peugeot 308 GTi. Its strengths are a 590–610 litre boot, the choice of petrol, diesel, four-wheel-drive and plug-in hybrid versions, and an estate body. According to the old 1cars text, the Golf GTI and Focus ST of the time were slightly quicker to 100 km/h than the 220 PS RS.