New sport star arrives

Article by Andrew van Leeuwin

The Škoda Octavia RS TDI might just be the best car you’ve never heard of.

The sporty RS version of the Octavia has been available here for about a year but there are now two new reasons to consider it - the release of the turbo-diesel engine and the option of the DSG automatic transmission.

So now there is a sporty sedan that brings economy and efficiency to the table. And, the option of a DSG gearbox proves Škoda’s Australian products aren’t just getting hand-me-down technology from Volkswagen.

The diesel auto version of the RS might not be a Subaru WRX-beater but it’s closer than you’d think.

First, there is the 2.0 litre engine - with 125kW and 350Nm of torque, the diesel unit is surprisingly competitive with the identical capacity TSI petrol version that was already available (147kW and 280Nm).

Speaking strictly through the right foot, the TSI is faster and more responsive. But the TDI is hardly a slouch on either the road or track (I tried it in both situations) and with a claimed fuel consumption of 5.9 litres per 100Km (as opposed to 8.1 in the petrol version), there are definite benefits to going down the oil-burning route.

However, especially during racetrack application, it does take some time to adjust to your ears hearing a mildly tuned engine redlining under the bonnet, and your eyes seeing a tachometer reading only 4500rpm.

In short, in either engine choice the RS is a fun car to steer, especially when it is driven with a bit of gusto and the turbo diesel doesn’t dampen that fun at all.

Then there is the choice of transmissions.

The DSG is only available in the diesel option and was introduced after making positive waves in various models of the VW range.

Its six speeds seems nicely matched to the TDI and can be used in two different modes; normal and sport. They are fully automatic or you have the option of changing gears yourself.

They all work well, although because of a personal dislike of semi-automatic gearboxes, I preferred normal drive for the road and sport drive for the track. That said, the DSG was certainly a lot faster to respond to the driver’s request than most of the semi-autos on the market.

The chassis itself is as impressive as the engine and drive train.

It is as balanced as a road car is likely to be, in both wagon and sedan variants, even when being pushed on a circuit.

As one would expect from the platform of a mid-sized family car, there is a little turn-in understeer and a little mid-corner oversteer (if provoked). But then there is the capable ESP that makes it all very, very manageable, not to mention fun.

The car looks stylish and sporty, using the Octavia’s traditional box-like body shape, matched with a stance some 15mm lower than standard, 18-inch wheels and red brake callipers to generate an aggressive presence on the road.

Where the Octavia RS might have an edge over other four-cylinder performance cars is that it is actually quite roomy inside. It has plenty of sporty aspects to the interior too, such as a special RS steering wheel and nifty bucket seats, but has cargo space to burn, especially in the wagon model. This is a genuine sports/family crossover.

Even price-wise the car is competitive. At $37,490 for a petrol manual, through to $41,790 for a diesel auto (add $2000 for a wagon), the Octavia RS seems expensive in four-cylinder terms.

But given the capabilities of the engine and drive train, and the roominess of both sedan and wagon, it is better compared to medium six-cylinders cars available on the market, and in that range it is competitive.

And the best part about owning an Octavia RS over the other turbo-four sporty sedans on the market? You will probably be the only one in the street. For now, anyway.
 
ŠKODA OCTAVIA UPDATE
The current Škoda Octavia RS range will be completed next February with the option of the DSG transmission matched to the petrol-powered engine.

The update will also solve one of the curious features of the current Octavia RS – the total lack of buttons on the steering wheel. From February onwards, new RS models fitted with the DSG will come with wheel-mounted paddles for semi-automatic mode, along with controls for the radio.

The strange thing is that just a month after the update, the new facelift Octavia will land on Aussie shores. However, the RS version of the new-look Octavia isn’t due until the third quarter of next year.