2018 Skoda Octavia RS launched in Australia

Arriving a couple of months after its regular siblings, the facelifted 2018 Skoda Octavia RS has been launched into Australia, with updated styling and equipment levels now part of the mix of Skoda’s best selling model locally.

Skoda Australia have also confirmed that the hotter RS245, previously only rumoured for Australia, will arrive in November with both manual and DSG automatic options. Unlike the RS230 limited edition, the RS245 will be a permanent addition to the local Octavia range and offer more power and torque, as well as a limited-slip differential as standard.

Still sharing a platform with the latest Volkswagen Golf – and everything else based on the MQB platform – the Octavia RS continues with its six model range, with two available engines and two available transmission options.

Starting from $38,890 plus on-road costs, the Octavia RS continues with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, this time producing 169kW of power (up 7kW) and an unchanged 350Nm, matched to a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. Both Australian RS drivetrains are front-wheel drive, with Skoda Australia again rejecting the 135TDI DSG 4×4 option available overseas.

As before, the RS 135TDI continues in the local RS lineup priced from $42,490 matched to a six-speed dual clutch automatic only. Its 135kW power output is less than the 169TSI petrol engine’s, but its 380Nm of torque is actually 30Nm more. Skoda claims 0-100km/h for the 169TSI as 6.7 seconds, and 7.9 seconds for the 135TDI.

Standard equipment for Octavia RS models has been increased with its facelift, with redesigned LED headlights replacing the previous bi-xenon units, a larger 9.2-inch infotainment system replacing the previous 8.0-inch system, LED interior mood lighting now available, the previously optional Black Pack is now standard and previously unavailable equipment such as adaptive dampers, and blind-spot monitoring are now on the options list.

Otherwise, equipment for the Octavia RS is quite lengthy, including 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring technology, inbuilt satellite navigation, part-leather seat trim, RS front sport seats, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, progressive steering and selectable driving modes – eco, normal, sport and individual, which allows drivers to select various parameters about the car and suit them to their personal taste.

As before, the Octavia RS continues to offer option packages for buyers to further enhance their car’s equipment levels, with Skoda claiming that a significant number of buyers choose either one or both. A $2,300 Tech Pack offers buyers a ten-speaker Canton sound system, automatic parallel and 90-degree parking, keyless entry and start, adaptive dampers and Manoeuvre Braking Assist.

Choosing the $2,800 Luxury Package adds ten-way electric front seats with driver’s memory settings, heated front and rear seats with two rear USB inputs, half-leather/alcantara seat trim, auto-dimming electric-folding mirrors with puddle lamps, blind-spot monitoring and lane keep assist.

There are also standalone options for the Octavia RS, including $700 19-inch alloy wheels, $500 electric bootlid for the Octavia RS wagon and a $1,500 sunroof – $1,700 for the wagon because it’s panoramic. Metallic paint is $500.

Skoda also announced that the hotter Octavia RS245 will be joining the Australian range in November, and unlike the previous RS230 limited edition, it will be a permanent addition to the lineup. While pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to its launch, the R245 is powered by the same uprated 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine as the Golf GTI Performance Edition 1, producing 180kW (or 245hp, hence the name) of power and 370Nm of torque, matched to a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Crucially, the RS245 puts its power through a limited-slip differential.

Like the RS230, the RS245’s styling is largely the same as the standard RS, with subtle styling differences such as black tailpipes and black inserts for the 19-inch alloy wheels. The RS245 is likely to receive more standard equipment such as adaptive dampers as standard, and will likely incur a ~$4,000 premium over standard RS 169TSI models.

2018 Skoda Octavia RS pricing (plus on-road costs):
Sedan
169TSI manual – $38,890
169TSI DSG – $41,390
135TDI DSG – $42,490

Wagon
169TSI manual – $40,390
169TSI DSG – $42,890
135TDI DSG – $43,990

Options:
19-inch alloy wheels – $700
Metallic paint – $500
Tech Pack – $2,300
Luxury Pack – $2,800
Sunroof (sedan) – $1,500
Panoramic sunroof (wagon) – $1,700
Electric bootlid (wagon) – $500