Škoda Octavia RS

[Galaxy]

The Octavia gets the 220hp engine from the new GTI, however without the differential lock. Choice of 6 speed manual, or DSG.

I really, really like the current Škoda design language. So uncluttered.














They really are beautiful vehicles imo.

[Colin]

Probably the best car in the "real world" (despite what the press claim, a £40k 3 series is not truly "real world" for that many people).

[Madman]

As an aside, both CAR and Automobile are reporting Škoda is seriously considering coming to North America.  Automobile reports their entire fleet will be "US legal" (whatever that means, exactly?) by 2015.  So maybe we'll someday see this car over here, after all?

I've always thought Škoda had the potential to do well in America.  It's strengths in the US are conservative styling (wouldn't want to shock all those Camry-loving appliance shoppers, would we?), proven mechanicals, spacious and robust interiors and strong value for money.  With the US car market on the upswing and no growth projected in Europe for the foreseeable future, Škoda's expansion into new markets like North America is a no-brainer.  Now if only somebody could give that message to the French!

[cawimmer430]

Anyone want to hear a base 4-cylinder Camry joke? 

[mzziaz]

Great car. I'd love the diesel wagon.

[Raza]

Very much yes.  Is the sedan still a liftback?

[SVT666]

I'm not surprised Raza likes it.  It looks like a VW.

[Catman]

I might take a wagon.

[CALL_911]

I highly doubt Skoda's coming here. It would either flop, or cannibalize VW sales.

[Madman]

I highly doubt Skoda's coming here. It would either flop, or cannibalize VW sales.

That was my initial reaction, too.  I first saw a brief blurb in CAR about it and immediately dismissed it.  Knowing how paranoid VW is about potentially cannibalising sales in the US (still no US market Scirocco, due to unbased fears of how it might impact GTI sales), I found it strange that Škoda would suddenly be interested in America.  Then I saw a slightly more in-depth article in Automobile and began to think they may be serious.

Then again, Alfa Romeo has been promising to be back in America any day now for the past 15 years and I still don't see any new Alfas anywhere.  (And a handful of hyper-expensive 8Cs doesn't count, either.)  Based on this experience, I'll believe Škoda is coming to America when I can walk into a showroom and can actually touch one with my own hands and not a minute before!

[CALL_911]

I'm 99.9% sure we will not see Skoda here anytime soon.

[Galaxy]

Is the sedan still a liftback?

[Raza]

Perfect Z4 companion.  Come on Skoda, come to the US!

[Raza]

I'm not surprised Raza likes it.  It looks like a VW.

I like Volkswagens.   

[Northlands]

I might take a wagon.

I would take that wagon. I love it.

[cawimmer430]

Here is the predecessor (original / facelift) Octavia RSs - in wagon for of course. 

[Raza]

I think the pre-facelift version of the old car looked better (it lacked the surprised looking upswept headlamps), but this is an attractive car.  I've wanted an Octavia vRS since I read this article:

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/60582/skoda_octavia_vrs.html

[MrH]

As an aside, both CAR and Automobile are reporting Škoda is seriously considering coming to North America.  Automobile reports their entire fleet will be "US legal" (whatever that means, exactly?) by 2015.  So maybe we'll someday see this car over here, after all?

I've always thought Škoda had the potential to do well in America.  It's strengths in the US are conservative styling (wouldn't want to shock all those Camry-loving appliance shoppers, would we?), proven mechanicals, spacious and robust interiors and strong value for money.  With the US car market on the upswing and no growth projected in Europe for the foreseeable future, Škoda's expansion into new markets like North America is a no-brainer.  Now if only somebody could give that message to the French!

Proven mechanicals?  A large portion of the US doesn't trust VW. Skoda is completely unknown to 99% of the public, and associating them with VW wouldn't put many at ease.

I highly, highly doubt this would ever happen.

[TurboDan]

I like it. Kinda looks like an updated front to:

[CALL_911]

^The LS was a properly good looking sedan.

[giant_mtb]

Still is. Shame it was a total flop.

[Raza]

It's a stretch, I think.  It does look like an updated version of the old Octavia. 

But yes, the LS was a good looking car.  My boss used to have one, back when he wasn't my boss. 

[cawimmer430]

I think the pre-facelift version of the old car looked better (it lacked the surprised looking upswept headlamps), but this is an attractive car.  I've wanted an Octavia vRS since I read this article:

You can now pick up a used example for an average of 13,000 Euros. 

http://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/anzeigen/s-autos/skoda-octavia-rs/k0c216


^Most of them are wagons. The sedan wasn't very popular.^

[TurboDan]

^The LS was a properly good looking sedan.

I agree. It gave us all hope, at the time, that Lincoln could be competitive with the Europeans. So much for that, but the LS was/is still a great looking car.

[cawimmer430]

The LS was also available with a manual transmission I believe for the V6 or V8, right? Raza, sign up for one!!! 

[Madman]

The LS was also available with a manual transmission I believe for the V6 or V8, right? Raza, sign up for one!!! 

The LS V6 was available with a manual from 2000 through 2002.  They sold three.

[cawimmer430]

The LS V6 was available with a manual from 2000 through 2002.  They sold three.

Is this a sarcastic Madman joke or a fact?

[giant_mtb]

Both, probably.

[2o6]

Somewhat related, but PSA would not succeed here, neither would Skoda. I keep reading that PSA is using old as fuck platforms, some dating back to the early 90's. That seems like it would explain why most auto mags say they're pretty mediocre to drive.

[Raza]

Somewhat related, but PSA would not succeed here, neither would Skoda. I keep reading that PSA is using old as fuck platforms, some dating back to the early 90's. That seems like it would explain why most auto mags say they're pretty mediocre to drive.

99% of people have no concept of Skoda.  What makes you so sure it would fail?