Order books for the new Skoda Octavia RS have now opened with prices starting from €32,745. For that buyers will get the hatchback model with a 184hp 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, but they will have to wait until September. This is because the more practical Combi estate will arrive earlier with prices starting from €33,745.
The high power diesel is likely to be the volume seller in Ireland, as it has been over the various RS generations, but a 220hp TSI petrol model is also offered making it the most powerful Skoda money can buy.
Compared to the second generation Octavia RS, the new engines offer more power, but use less fuel - up to 19 per cent less. A lot of this saving can be attributed to the stop-start system and Brake Energy Regeneration that are fitted as standard. Both the TDI and TSI engines will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic available from the options list.
Stepping up to DSG will add €2,250 to the asking price (for petrol models; diesels range between €2,500 and €2,900 depending on body style) with the variance being accounted for by the diesel DSG cars moving into a different tax (and therefore VRT) band.
In addition to the usual RS visual identifiers the model rides 12mm lower than the standard car (13mm for the Combi) and also features the same XDS electronic differential as the Volkswagen Golf. There is also new electro-mechanical 'progressive' steering that allows the driver to make tight turns with smaller steering wheel adjustments.
Compared to the outgoing RS the new model adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, bi-Xenon headlights with LED and twin exhausts.