Skoda has launched the premium Laurin & Klement (L & K) version of the Octavia, as well as the Rider, with a few upgrades. Now finally, they are ready with the Octavia RS 1.8 Turbo. It is a proper petrol-powered, 20-valve, DOHC, turbocharged inline-four which displaces 1781cc.

 

 

The RS gets an aggressive front end, xenon headlamps, a rear spoiler, a sunroof, leather/fabric combo upholstery borrowed from the Elegance version. Forced induction means that the 1.8 T is as powerful as the Opel Vectra 2.2, which is more than what either the Honda Accord 2.4 i-VTEC or the Toyota Camry 2.4 VVT-i can say for themselves.

 

It delivered 0-60 kph in 4.81 seconds and 0-100 takes only 9.10 seconds.  The Octavia has always had a competent chassis/suspension combination, which is happy being thrown around corners as hard as you dare. The 1.8 T something which lesser Octavias don’t have – something Skoda calls ‘Anti-Slip Regulation.’ ASR is Skoda-speak for traction/stability control and it works extremely well.

 

The newest TT uses a V6, but the earlier one used the same 1781cc, 20-valve, DOHC, turbocharged inline-four which the Octavia has. This engine was in a different state of tune and used to make 225 horsepower – 78 more than the Skoda. Apart from the TT, this 1.8 Turbo has also powered the VW Golf, the SEAT Leon, the Audi A3 and the 180 bhp, top-of-the-line Octavia RS.

 

The engine, which offers great performance in the Octavia, features electronically, controlled injection and combustion, 3-way catalyser, 5-valve distributor and a pressurised air cooler. There’s also a dashboard diagnostic system which continuously monitors those parts of the engine that influence the composition of emission gases. And as soon as these values go beyond acceptable standards, a control light on the dashboard reminds the driver to visit the service shop. When it’s launched, the Skoda Octavia 1.8 Turbo will be one of the most performance-oriented and technologically advanced cars around.

Filed under: Skoda Cars in India