What does it take for a Skoda model to wear the “RS” badge?
RS stands for Rally Sport, a badge first used by Skoda in motorsport in 1974. And it is not a badge that can be easily earned.
For a Skoda to wear the RS badge, it must embody the abilities and characteristics found in Skoda’s successful rally cars.
Skoda has 118 years of motorsport heritage. In rallying, the brand has had the most success in WRC2, where it won the manufacturer’s title four years in a row from 2015 to 2017.
Rallying, like any other motorsport, is gruelling. Depending on the race and location, rally cars take on various surfaces from tarmac to mud to snow.
But it’s not just these surfaces that are challenging. Rocks, ruts and trees can derail progress. And there are routes that encompass mountain roads with no barriers between the cars and the sheer drop on the other side.
Engines, suspensions and bodies (both the cars’ and the drivers’) take enormous punishment. Enduring these ordeals is one thing. Winning them is another.
It is with this experience that Skoda has engineered the Octavia RS 245. Its turbocharged 2-litre engine pumps out 245bhp and 370Nm, which take the Octavia RS 245 from 0-100km/h in 6.6 scintillating seconds.
These outputs are channelled to the driven wheels via a rapid-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Sports suspension and the standard 19-inch wheels enhance the Octavia RS 245’s nimbleness. Meanwhile, the motorsport-derived VAQ limited-slip differential ensures optimal power transfer to the road.
All this means that the Octavia RS 245 is ready to slice through the next corner you show it.
The Octavia RS 245 isn’t just built for performance. It also possesses many of Skoda’s Simply Clever features.
Said features include convenient compartments beneath the front seats that can hold compact umbrellas and handy hooks in the boot. A cargo net is also included to help you secure your belongings.
And speaking of cargo, the Octavia RS 245 offers 590 litres with the rear seats up. If you have bulky items, folding the seats expands this capacity to 1580 litres.
The Skoda Octavia RS 245 is a brilliant all-rounder. It can go from high-performance car one moment to practical family car the next. Few rivals can match this.
That’s exactly what makes the Octavia RS 245 such a compelling drive.
No wonder it won over the hearts of the Straits Times–Torque judging panel, which named it “Best Performance Fastback” at the 2019 ST–Torque Awards!
