In 2017, Skoda launched the sporty 3rd-technology Octavia RS in India – dubbed the Octavia RS 230 – carrying a mouth-watering selling price tag of Rs 24.62 lakh. Due to its explosive general performance and value proposition, this restricted-run sporty sedan bought out like hot cakes. In 2020, Skoda reintroduced a far more highly effective variation in India, recognized as the Octavia RS 245, and this fully-imported version’s selling price has been set at Rs 35.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India), which is more than Rs eleven lakh higher than the 2017 variation. Even though there was news of the RS 245 staying bought out for India amidst the lockdown period, it seems there are numerous models even now on sale. So, should you be interested in the restricted-run Octavia RS 245 and does its packaging justify its premium selling price tag? We obtain out.
What is the Skoda Octavia RS 245?
Centered on the MQB modular architecture, the Octavia RS 245 carries ahead its transverse motor and front-wheel-generate layout. Its proportions and styling are identical to the outgoing variation. 1 of the critical new additions are its attractive 18-inch wheels, in contrast to the seventeen-inchers on the RS 230. Curiously, this RS 245 appears a lot higher over the floor than the outgoing variation, with an ungainly gap in its wheel arches. Skoda, even so, statements its floor clearance continues to be identical to its predecessor, at 141mm, which is 15mm reduce than the now-discontinued Octavia sedan, but 15mm higher than the intercontinental RS variation.
On the inside of, way too, there are barely any variations, and almost everything, together with the element-Alcantara sporting activities seats, flat-bottomed steering and fake carbon-fibre trims, is carried more than from the outgoing variation. The fully-electronic instrument cluster, with many customisable screens, is a new addition right here and so is the new ‘vRS mode’ button, which is a shortcut button for the many generate modes. The effectively-appointed cabin continues to be roomy and functional and at 590-litres, boot space is substantial way too.
In terms of features, the RS 245 is equipped with automobile LED headlamps, 18-inch wheels, digital cockpit, a slick touchscreen with Android and Apple connectivity, driving modes, ambient lights, 9 airbags, ESP, cruise manage and a lot far more.
What is the Skoda Octavia RS 245 like to generate?
Like the RS 230, this a person uses Volkswagen Group’s EA888 one,984cc direct and indirect-injection (it has 8 injectors), 4-cylinder turbo-petrol motor, which now tends to make 245hp and 370Nm of torque. It gains 15hp and 20Nm more than the RS 230 due to a revised camshaft, some application updates, a new turbocharger and some other motor parts. With a huge unfold of max torque from as lower as one,600rpm till four,300rpm, this motor feels incredibly powerful and keen to rev. Set your foot down and it scoots ahead, reaching foolish speeds in no time. Effectiveness continues to be strong as the RS 245 dispatches the -100kph sprint in just 6.39sec, which is .26sec more quickly than the RS 230, even so, the gap further more widens as the speeds maximize in kick-down. In-equipment acceleration instances are also a little bit more quickly than the outgoing variation. Even when driven sedately, there is constantly enough energy on supply. Interestingly, in Eco driving method, the gearbox engages neutral though coasting, in purchase to save fuel, and it will quickly interact a equipment as soon as your leg touches the accelerator pedal all over again. General, this motor is incredibly easy and silent, and it emanates a likeable ingestion sound when spun difficult, but the sound from the exhaust feels way too muted on this general performance-oriented vehicle.
Electric power is transmitted to the front wheels by a new 7-pace twin-clutch transmission (in contrast to the 6-pace DSG), codenamed the DQ381, not to be baffled with the DQ200 7-pace DSG which did its responsibility in the Octavia one.8 TSI. This new transmission is seamless and the upshifts are lightning-quick, even so, you will obtain oneself reaching out to the steering-mounted paddle shifters for rapid downshifts, as the transmission does consider a 2nd to react immediately, when you all of a sudden put your foot down.
What will help put down its energy is the new restricted-slip differential, what Skoda calls “electronically controlled front axle inter-wheel lock (VAQ- Vorderachsquersperre).” Compared to the RS 230’s XDS digital differential lock, which worked in sync with the digital balance method to slice energy to the front wheel that was shedding traction, the RS 245’s restricted-slip differential can transfer up to a hundred percent of the energy to the front wheel with greater traction. In easier words, the RS 245 now puts down its energy a lot far more cleanly than the outgoing variation, and it feels a lot sharper and incredibly agile though attacking corners. Course variations are a lot far more assurance-inspiring now and with so a lot mechanical grip on supply, the RS 245 claws on to the road like it is driving on rails. The steering feels direct and pointy, even so, a little bit far more excess weight, specially in Sport method, would have considerably enhanced its over-all really feel.
Reduced-pace trip excellent has taken a little bit of a beating due to the new 18-inch wheels. It feels significantly firmer than the outgoing variation, and it tends to crash by way of sharp bumps. The excellent news, although, is that, due to the rigid suspension, the RS 245 is less inclined to scraping its underbelly on frequent pace humps, even so you’ll will need to be careful more than the unusually significant kinds, due to its 2,679mm wheelbase.
Really should I acquire the Skoda Octavia RS 245?
The beauty of the Octavia RS lies in its duality – it is just as functional, roomy and usable as the frequent sedan and it’ll plaster a huge grin on your face when you want to love its explosive general performance and dynamic traits on your favorite road or a racetrack, without having sensation intimidated. But, at Rs 35.99 lakh (which includes the comprehensive brunt of import customs responsibilities), the Skoda Octavia RS 245 is evidently overpriced and treads into the rear-wheel-generate BMW 330i’s territory, which is just a several lakhs away. Driving fanatics, even so, will even now obtain even now value in the RS 245, which incidentally is a lot much better equipped than the pricier, reduce-spec BMW 330i. And it’s far more pleasurable to generate way too. In conclusion, if you want a characterful vehicle with stellar general performance and exception managing abilities, as effectively as a particular degree of exclusivity (restricted to 200 models in India), the expensive Octavia RS 245 is a pretty tempting supply.
Also read through:
New Octavia coming in 2021
Skoda’s ‘Clever Lease’ method
-200kph in a Skoda Octavia RS245 video clip
Skoda Vision IN notion initial glance video clip
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