Skoda India’s brand director, Ashish Gupta, recently confirmed the Octavia RS India launch. The Octavia RS has a strong fan base in India, with previous iterations like the RS230 and RS245 earning popularity despite their premium pricing.
The new Octavia RS will arrive in India as a CBU import, which usually commands a higher price. However, it's expected to be priced close to or slightly below the recently launched Golf GTI, which retails at Rs 53 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
The key design upgrades include a blacked-out grille, larger air intakes, RS badging at the front and rear, a rear lip spoiler, and sportier alloy wheels. It also sits 15mm lower than the standard Octavia. Inside, the cabin will get red accents and sporty black seats.
Under the hood, the Octavia RS will be powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine producing 269PS and 370Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and drives the front wheels.
With the Octavia RS, the VAG Group continues to cater to performance car enthusiasts in India. Following recent launches like the Kodiaq and Golf GTI, the Octavia RS will further strengthen Skoda’s sporty image. The Skoda Superb is also on the way to India.