THE NEW OCTAVIA RS is a fine machine. A dozen laps of the Top Gear Australia test track at yesterday’s launch left us in no doubt that even the ham-fisted will find it an entertaining and well-connected drive.
It also makes the perfect base for a project vehicle, in this case Skoda Australia’s Octavia RS-P (‘P’ for project). Built to showcase the new Octavia RS, the RS-P has clearly been engineered for track-style performance.
Based on an Octavia RS wagon, the visual cues are discreet: black 18-inch alloys, green brake calipers and unique RS-P badging separate the RS-P from the RS. A closer look however reveals that this is a comprehensive make-over and not just a light engineering tweak.
Fully adjustable dampers replace the stock factory items and Yokohama ADVAN AO48 225/40R 18 tyres wrap the black alloys.
Front and rear strut-braces have been added to firm up the chassis, the rear suspension cross-brace taking up much of the wagon’s rear cargo area.
Brakes have been upgraded to 355mm front discs with four-pot calipers and 310mm rear discs, clamped by single piston calipers.
Power is up 3kW– 5kWs over the standard RS’s 2.0-litre turbo, thanks to a three-inch stainless steel mandrel bent exhaust system and performance air-filter.
And there is more to come: Skoda Australia has confirmed that an ECU re-tune is planned for the RS-P that will see outputs rise to around 190kW and 350Nm.
RS-P badge-work features on the passenger side of the dashboard, tailgate and front grille making the whole ‘project’ look very production ready. Don’t hold your breath though as Skoda Australia says it has no plans to take the RS-P beyond ‘project’ status.
While Octavia RS-Ps will not be gracing the forecourt of your local Skoda dealer, the car’s existence tells us that there may be more to look forward to from Skoda Australia.
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Hmmm must have been pulling the handbrake a bit to get that pic eh? These things are FWD right?
A definite image-booster for the brand though
I want!
190kw / 350nM from the 2litre? pretty sweet
That is one very cool car!
I like the green indicators! :p
Grumps…. where are the green indicators? Maybe the park lights are green…
Wow !, I wouldn’t mind having at least one those.
Siggi Pe.
@Godspeed, just check out the Fifth Gear tests of the Mk5 GTI to see how you can get an FWD to oversteer.
Hello this is my car, i have the same in germany but withot the performance package. I have an new ECU, my New datas: 272Hp and 405Nm… This are good datas… The next what i will buy is an after Turbo Exhaust System with an 3″ Pipe from Turbo to the End with one Race Catalyter with 200Cells…
CU Markus
I complained heavily on a post i did for the Superb that Skoda seem to miss the mark on what Australia wants. You would have to be a brain dead moron to not see that this in a 4 Motion set up would break Skoda into the OZ market and be seen as DESIRABLE. People don’t desire your cars then the best you can hope for is to be the sensible choice………………………i wouldn’t be pumping millions of my dollars on being the sensible choice. This could be s shining light for them but this car will no doubt be like there advertising, none existent!!!!
Sorry, looks like grannys car (complete with Dame Edna glasses) that a 17 year old has inherited and put some cheap suspension setup in (’in the weeds bro’) and ridiculous wheels. I find the RS quite appealing, but needs some design work - the car looks cheap at the front and fat further back.
Bloody horrible , looks like it was built from the parts bins.
To those who like the look of this - take a closer look & you’ll see: Epica Headlights; HSV VE-2 Airdam [incl LED Lights]; HSV Wheels; Crewman Doors; Vectra Wagon Rear - with [old] Astra Taillights; Barina Wing Mirrors..
So - do you still like the look of it?
Wheelnut…. if you haven’t noticed - the LED lights originated from AUDI…. thus Skoda being part of the Volkswagen group…. that owns SEAT, Skoda, VW, Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche and Bugati (Correct me if I’m wrong) so Merc, HSV and a few other brands have copied Audi! This car doesn’t copy any Australian manufacture or design….. I doubt the Czech’s decided they’d copy a Korean design of the Daewoo Epica (Cough Holden). Have you looked at previous versions of the Octavia? MKI and MKII? Think they all blend into one and can see where the latest designs originated from. Next thing someone is going to say is that the Skoda badge looks like a Vauxhall! Yet Skoda has been around for over 100 years!
Очень скучная статья,нечего добавить!
Well done, Matt J.
I agree the badge is somewhat odd and dated. But remember, it has a history over 100 years. It deserves some respect and Skoda dares to be against all odds to preserve this legacy. What about the Rolls Royce badge? Will you say it ugly? Maybe not, simply because it is expensive.
I just bought a new Skoda Superb. Absolutley great car! I can confidently recomend Skoda to anyone who wants to drive a quality car.
Is an LSD included or available for the Octavia?