“The fastest Octavia ever.” That’s what’s up with this new, limited-edition Skoda.
Currently wearing a loose 70-unit cap, the hot Octavia makes its debut on our shores about a year after Micheal Irmer, director of Skoda Australia confirmed its offering here. It arrives in two bodystyles, with prices at $41,490 for the five-door liftback, and $43,190 for the wagon (exc. ORC).
At the top of the list of revisions for the hot RS230 is the engine, receiving the same 2.0-litre turbocharged unit from the Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance. Pushing out 169kW and 350Nm, the Octavia RS230 rockets from rest to 100km/h in just 6.7 seconds (only +0.1 second for the wagon), all the way up to a top speed of 250km/h. And to ensure that nothing bad happens, the Octavia RS230 comes standard-fit with an electronically-controlled locking front differential.
Differentiating the powertrain in the Czech from the German (on which this car is based) is the gearbox: The Octavia benefits from a six-speed manual as the only transmission choice, whereas the Golf gets a six-speed DSG automatic exclusively. The Czech express also gains gloss-black styling bits and pieces (spoiler, mirror, grille, exhausts), and rides handsomely in 19” Xtreme alloy wheels, also finished in black.
Inside, the RS230 starts by adding a lap timer function on the multifunction screen between the binnacles, before offering leather trimmed seats and steering wheel, all stitched with contrasting red, and finishing off with stainless steel pedals. The remaining features are all usual fare, like electric front seats with memory, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and an 8” touchscreen with GPS and support for both Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto.
Options for the RS230 come in the form of a Tech Pack at $1,700, adding automatic parking, lane assist, keyless entry and start, and a 10-speaker Canton sound system on top of the already generous spec list. With only 70 models available, fans of this hot Skoda will have to move fast.
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