Nother CarGuy

It’s been 19 years since Skoda unveiled its first modern Octavia RS (or vRS) passenger car, which at the time was powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter gasoline engine with 180 PS (178 HP) and 173 lb-ft (235 Nm) of torque. This latest iteration however stands far removed from such simple beginnings, featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.4-liter TSI four-pot with an 85 kW electric motor for a total output of 242 HP (245 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. “By introducing the Octavia RS iV, we are starting a new chapter in the success story of our RS portfolio. We are using plug-in-hybrid drive in a sporty top-of-the-range model for the first time. In the new Octavia RS iV, this both increases performance and reduces fuel consumption as well as CO2 emissions,” said Skoda exec Christian Strube. What’s unfortunate about this flagship plug-in hybrid RS variant is that it doesn’t exactly put its predecessors to shame when it comes to straight line performance. I...

Skoda’s best-selling model, the Octavia, has been significantly overhauled. The compact model has debuted during an internal event hosted in Prague, Czech Republic, in both Combi (estate) and liftback body styles. It might be based and closer related to the updated version of the Volkswagen Golf, but Skoda’s newest, fourth iteration of the Octavia, seems to be geared towards being, or at least been seen as by consumers, a way more pocket friendly and, ultimately, sensible alternative for those who can’t afford an Audi A4 and still want a VW product. To do so, it has been given an elegant re-styling and a more upmarket interior. Based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, it promises better driving dynamics wrapped up into an even more practical and roomy body style. Mind you, the Octavia has always been the roomiest compact car, and the fourth generation has improved in all major aspects. With a length of 4,689 mm (186.6 in), the Octavia liftback is 19 mm (0.8 in) longer than...

Skoda keeps working to improve the Octavia RS. Now it has revealed yet another  new version  of its  solitary performance model , and it's billed as the most powerful yet. Based on the  revised Octavia  revealed mere weeks ago, the latest RS model offers a choice of 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The gasoline version now comes standard with 230 horsepower, while the diesel carries over at 184 hp. The former is quoted for a 0-62 time of 6.7 seconds, while the latter – though torquier and more economical – takes 7.9 seconds. The new RS (or vRS in the UK) also benefits from all the upgrades made to the base Octavia, including the new front-end styling with adaptive LED headlights. But the performance model takes things further with a sportier appearance. Inside it's all black, with well-bolstered sport seats upholstered in either a combination of leather and fabric or Alcantara. Compared to the previous Octavia RS, the new model also sits 15 milli...

Skoda has been quietly working on a  facelifted version of the Octavia , which will become available to order by the end of the year.  On the visual front, the  brand's best-seller  now sets itself apart from the current models with dual headlights, which can be fitted with the full-LED technology on request, a reworked grille, slightly tweaked bumpers on both ends, and  new patterns  for the light alloy wheels that range from 16 to 18 inches. The revisions have brought new infotainment systems to the  2017 Skoda Octavia , with a 9.2-inch display on higher grades, WLAN hotspot, and SIM card module, joined by the safety assistance systems that include Predictive Pedestrian Protection on the Front Assist, optimized  Parking Assistant , Blind Spot Detection, Rear Traffic Alert, rear radar, and rearview camera.  The  engine lineup  remains untouched, as Skoda continues to offer the compact car with five petrol and four diesel mills...