Skoda Octavia RS Confirmed For India Launch In 2025
The Czech automotive giant Skoda, at the Bharat Mobility Global Auto Expo which was held in January of this year, showcased the Octavia RS. It was shown alongside the Kodiaq RS. At the time, no confirmation of the launch of this sports sedan was provided by the brand up until now. However, recently the Brand Director of Skoda India has confirmed that the company is planning to launch the Octavia RS in India in 2025.
Skoda to launch Octavia RS in India
While talking to ACI, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda India, stated, “The Octavia RS is something that we will definitely bring to India this year.” He did not reveal the exact date of the launch of the Octavia RS. However, it is believed that it will be making its debut around the festive season of 2025. This high-performance version of the Octavia will be brought in via the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route.
As for the pricing, it is expected to be launched with a price tag of Rs 50 lakh. On the outside, the upcoming Skoda Octavia RS will get a much more aggressive and sharper design than the standard model. Its highlights will include a blacked-out front grille, dual exhaust tips in the rear, sportier front and rear bumpers, and a lip spoiler on the rear decklid.
Additionally, it will also get a set of 18-inch alloy wheels with the option of choosing 19-inch wheels. Moving on to the interior, it will come equipped with an all-black interior. Its highlights include black seats and door panels. Also, it will come with red contrasting stitching and a black headliner. The Octavia RS also gets sports front seats with integrated headrests, and its infotainment system and virtual cockpit both get RS-specific graphics.
Coming to the main highlight of the Skoda Octavia RS, it will come with a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol motor. This high-performance motor is capable of producing an impressive 265 bhp and 370 Nm of torque. As for transmission, they both get a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Along with it, both cars get variable-ratio progressive steering as standard, and the Octavia RS comes with a lowered sports suspension.
Octavia, Superb Diesel and others not coming
In addition to the confirmation of the arrival of the Octavia RS, Gupta also shared some unfortunate news. He stated that the standard Octavia, new Superb, new Superb Diesel, and the Kodiaq RS are not coming to India. Gupta mentioned, “With talks of the FTA agreement, new policies and tariffs, the market is very uncertain.”
He added, “Even if I want to bring about a structure for my upcoming product portfolio, the variables are so many that every strategy is currently fraught with risks. Although we do have a plan in mind about what cars can make it to India and should make it to India, all these uncertainties do not allow us to take decisions.”
Current focus on budget SUV Kylaq
When asked about the brand's current focus, Skoda India's Brand Director highlighted that the company is currently focused on the newly launched Kylaq sub-compact SUV. He stated, “We definitely want to focus on models from our global line-up, but I want to do it in a structured manner. I do not want to carpet-bomb the market and ourselves.”
Gupta added, “I want to focus on what matters at this point, and that is the Kylaq and the current portfolio that we have. Our objective is to have a portfolio that is consistent and always present. I’d rather have less and be consistent with it than have more and not be consistent with it.”