Octavia RS will get you purring

By Gerry Murphy

Skoda has produced a curious combination of the bog standard and brashness with their sportiest car, the Octavia RS. Here is a car that offers the functionality of a family saloon-shaped car and the sportiness of a hot hatch. It is a mix that would keep and old man feeling young and a young guy fully satisfied with power that impresses and looks that are almost conservative.

It is fair to say that the Octavia is a rather ordinary car to look at in its regular form. The discreet three-box shape is run-of-the-mill and the form lends itself to big boot space and reasonable leg room.

However, there are a few tell-tale details that make it stand out from the regular car. It is fitted with 19” alloys – the styling will generate debate – red brake callipers, a black painted rear spoiler and door mirrors and a gloss black grille specially designed for this car. My test car also came with an optional panoramic glass roof that adds to the image.

This one, though, is something different, with 230bhp from its 2.0-litre TSI engine under the bonnet. It has a turn of foot that will leave many sitting with a 0-100km sprint time of 6.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 249km/h.

That’s pretty quick in any language, and while at the push of a button you can select it to be economical, normal or to suit your own driving style, in RS mode it takes off like a bolt when asked to do so.

Thankfully, the RS delivers handling to match the power for the most part. The ride and the steering weight also adjust to the driving mode selected and while it is a little harsh at its ultimate performance setting, it is never giddy and the cornering and sharpness is there to match. That’s what makes it so good to drive.

Inside, the cabin is tastefully designed to give a sporty feel. The quality of the red stitched, leather sports seats is outstanding. That sportiness is continued throughout the cabin with a tactile leather steering, gear knob and alloy foot pedals.

The five door configuration will seat four adults with comfort. The rear seat consists of two moulded rear seats separated by a centre spacer. Access to the gigantic boot is through a big rear tailgate offering 590 litres of space with the rear seats in place and up to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded.

Buyers of the RS will enjoy the punch that the 230bhp delivers and the slickness of the six-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption will depend on how hard you drive it. Overall I managed 7.8L/100km on a rigorous test throughout the week that I had it in my possession.

It should be noted that this figure can be reduced substantially when driven with a lighter right foot, but the car invites you to drive it on. CO2 emissions for the RS come in at 142g/km giving you an annual road tax bill of €390.

There is something quite smug about owning a car like the RS. It might look like a normal Octavia for the most part, but knowing that you have the clout underneath you gives a confidence that you get from any hot hatchback. It has a price tag of €35,995, which seems reasonable to me for what you get. The fun factor is evident with every squeeze of the accelerator and that is why enthusiasts will love it.