Performance sedan returns to India with a 265 PS engine

The Takeaway

• Škoda has capped this completely built import at exactly 50 units for the Indian market.
• Customer handovers for the performance vehicle are scheduled to commence in the second week of September.
• Buyers receive a comprehensive ownership package that includes four years of complimentary roadside assistance and four labour-free services.
• The powertrain pushes the car to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Škoda brings back its most celebrated nameplate to Indian showrooms this week. Demand for the previous batch completely outstripped supply last year. The company is now offering another tiny allocation to satisfy eager buyers. This release celebrates 25 years since the original production model hit global roads.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre TSI engine. It sends 265 PS and 370 Nm of torque directly to the front wheels. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts fast. You can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.4 seconds. Drivers grip a progressive steering system tailored for sharp cornering. The exterior features 19-inch Elias anthracite alloy wheels and glossy black trims. You can pick Velvet Red or Magic Black paint. The signature Mamba Green is also an option. Inside, the cabin gets Suedia leather upholstery heavily detailed with red stitching. A 12.9-inch central screen handles wireless phone connectivity. The Canton sound system pushes 675 watts through eleven speakers and a subwoofer.

Most track-focused cars punish you on the daily commute. The Octavia RS takes a different approach by treating front occupants to electrically adjustable sports seats with standard memory and heating functions. Front passengers also get a standard massage feature. That is an extremely rare inclusion for a car built to attack tight corners. It still functions beautifully as a family hauler with a massive 600-litre boot. This space opens via a gesture-controlled virtual pedal. Those diving into the spec sheet will see how the high-performance Octavia RS arrives with track hardware to sharpen its handling. Auto portals report the Indian specification misses out on the dynamic chassis control system offered on global models.

Driving a low-slung imported sedan on Indian roads always requires some care over speed breakers. The stiffened sports suspension will feel firm on patchy city streets. You do get a 360-degree camera and an intelligent park assist system to keep the 4,709 mm body safe in tight parking spots. Ten airbags and adaptive cruise control round out the safety kit. The ₹ 56.69 lakh sticker price is quite steep for a front-wheel-drive car. It sits about ₹ 6.70 lakh higher than the batch sold during last year’s festive season.

Octavia RS price and specifications

The Unboxed Truth

We look at plenty of limited editions here at Unbox Daily HQ. Most of them just feature some fancy stickers. The Octavia RS actually delivers the mechanical substance to justify its hype. You are paying BMW 2 Series money for a Škoda badge. That sounds completely absurd until you actually drive it. The reportedly missing dynamic chassis control definitely stings at this price point. It remains a deeply engaging machine that can also swallow your family’s holiday luggage without a single complaint.

Best for: Track day enthusiasts who genuinely need one vehicle to do absolutely everything.

Who Is This For: Drivers between 30 and 55.

Courtesy: Škoda Auto India