2.0L turbocharged petrol engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission: The Octavia RS is powered by the same 1,984cc, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol that has been used in the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG AT. This powerplant puts out 261 BHP and 370 Nm. Compared to the previous-gen Octavia RS, that is a jump of 16 BHP, but the torque figure remains unchanged. The new RS weighs 1,528 kg. This means that the car has a power-to-weight ratio of 171 BHP/ton and a torque-to-weight ratio of 242 Nm/ton, which is pretty healthy. After an orientation lap with an instructor, we had 3 laps on the track – a sighting lap, a flying lap, and a cool-down lap. Of late, the only fast cars I have driven have been EVs, and out of the pits, it was obvious that the Octavia RS is the fastest ICE car I have driven this year. Acceleration is very strong. Skoda claims a 0-100 km/h time of 6.4 seconds, which is believable. I was driving in Sport mode, so the engine was in its most aggressive setting. Throttle response is very sharp, and the transmission holds the revs in the power band, so you get instant acceleration when you are exiting corners. There is no turbo lag at low revs, and the mid-range is strong. The car gains speed rapidly, and on the back straight, I could cross 200 km/h effortlessly. Skoda claims an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h for the Octavia RS. I reckon, with a long enough straight, this can be achieved with ease. On the cool-down lap, the speed was kept steady at 100 km/h. At that speed, the car felt as if it were just coasting. This means, in the real world, the Octavia RS will be an effortless long-distance cruiser. The gearbox is not disappointing either. It is in the right gear most of the time, and kickdowns are fast. I played with the throttle to try and confuse it, but that didn’t happen. While paddle shifters have been provided, I did not get to try them out due to the limited time available.Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)On idle and at low speeds, the engine of the Octavia RS is barely heard inside the cabin. The car gets a sports exhaust, which is louder than the standard car. Still, it makes a very likeable sound that is not disturbing at regular speeds. I revved the engine hard as I was on the track, and things got loud. But then, that’s what track driving is all about. In real-world conditions, where speeds are low, there should be no problem. Wind and tyre noise are also well controlled. Bonnet gets insulation on the underside. The unpainted part is an eyesore:Mileage & Fuel economySkoda has not revealed the exact fuel efficiency numbers of the Octavia RS. But then, this is a car for enthusiasts. Those who have bought one are not likely to be driving to achieve high FE figures.SuspensionThe Octavia RS comes with MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a four-link setup at the rear. The suspension setup is stiffer than the regular Octavia. In India, the car does not get Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). However, the car comes with XDS+ (electronic differential lock), which is claimed to optimise grip and handling. The car rides on 19-inch wheels, shod with 225/40 section tyres. Since the drive was on super smooth tarmac, we can’t comment on the ride quality at this moment. However, a stiffer suspension and low-profile tyres mean that in the real world, the ride may not be as compliant as the regular Octavia, but we got a good chance to push it hard to check out its stability, handling, steering, and braking. Not only did we test the car on the race track, but we also put the car through a curated moose test, slalom, and a handling circuit. On the high speed sections of the track, the car was extremely stable even at speeds in excess of 200 km/h. There was no nervousness at all, and the car never felt like it would lose its composure. In long sweeping curves, the car holds its line well. The chassis is very capable, and body roll is controlled. In the corners, the RS can change direction with ease. However, push it too hard and it will ultimately understeer, but that’s when the XDS+ comes in handy. The steering wheel of the Octavia RS is just perfect in size and thickness. It has thumb contours and is a joy to hold and operate. The car is equipped with progressive steering. It feels direct, but I would have liked some more feedback from it. The Octavia RS gets disc brakes at the front and rear with sporty red calipers. The braking performance is strong. The car can come to a halt from high speeds very quickly. However, the pedal travel is a bit longer than I would have liked, particularly on the track. Disclaimer: Skoda invited Team-BHP for the Octavia RS test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event. Those who want to know more about the car, here is Team-BHP’s full 2025 Skoda Octavia RS Review.
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Behind the wheel of 2025 Skoda Octavia RS at BIC: Driving impressions
