Skoda Reveals the Octavia RS 245

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The Volkswagen Group is full of performance, and Skoda’s Octavia is the latest to get a bump in power. The Octavia RS 245 is the group’s “simply clever” addition to the fun-to-drive ranks.

As the name suggests, this smoking sedan (or warm wagon) pumps out 245 hp (15 more than the equally aptly named RS 230). That power is produced by VW’s trusty 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot, which also makes nearly 275 lb-ft of torque. All of which gets it to 62 mph in just 6.6 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155 mph.

Like its chassis-mate, the Golf GTI, the Octavia RS 245 funnels its power to the front wheels exclusively. The power reaches those wheels through a trick diff, though, that can channel all of it to either wheel, so that the wheel with traction is always getting power.

Those front wheels are also 30 mm farther apart, which should help with traction. With that width, though, comes a controversial double headlight arrangement, following the Octavia facelift.

The Octavia’s engine is attached to a six-speed manual transmission or, for the first time, a lesser one (7-speed DSG). Occupants also get access to a 9.2-inch infotainment display and 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels.

Europeans can expect to see the Octavia RS 245 on the streets in the coming months. Americans cannot.

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