There are a few badges that stir the enthusiast’s soul quite like RS. And among them, the Skoda Octavia RS holds a special corner of reverence. It’s the kind of car that manages to blend everyday practicality with spine-tingling performance. It’s a sleeper sedan that’s equally happy carving up racetracks as it is idling in rush-hour traffic. The fourth-generation Octavia RS, though, feels like something different. Maybe it’s the exclusivity. Only 100 units have come to India as CBUs, all sold out in a blink. Or maybe it’s the bittersweet feeling that this could be the last of its kind. At the Buddh International Circuit, I had the chance to experience it for what it truly is: a car that doesn’t just go fast, but feels fast. Three laps were all I had. But sometimes, three laps are enough to leave a mark.
The Lap Dance Begins
The Octavia RS greets you with subtle aggression. It doesn’t scream for attention, but rather, asserts it. The sleek silhouette, sharp LED matrix headlamps, and signature RS detailing give it that purposeful stance. But there’s one design choice that’ll divide opinions: those black plastic wheel inserts. They look like a cost-cutting afterthought on an otherwise stunning design. It’s a minor gripe, but on a car that’s meant to be special, it stands out.
Inside, Skoda has kept things refreshingly simple. The minimalist cabin layout is driver-centric. It’s got clean lines, intuitive controls, and a driving position that immediately feels natural. The suede on the dashboard is a welcome touch of texture and warmth, breaking up the sea of dark tones. Then there are the stainless-steel pedals, with just the right amount of give, and seats that hug you in all the right ways. They’re sporty, yes, but surprisingly comfortable even after long stints. You sit low, hands resting perfectly on the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel, with a 13-inch infotainment screen sitting neatly in your peripheral view. Everything feels tight, measured, and engineered with intent.
The 2.0 TSI Roar
Fire it up, and the familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI engine clears its throat with a deep, resonant note. It’s not overly theatrical. It strikes just the right balance between refinement and rawness. Skoda claims a little over 240 horsepower, and you can feel every one of them waiting to be unleashed. The first lap was all about getting acquainted. Learning the car, the corners, and the grip. But even with caution dialled in, the RS immediately feels planted. There’s a certain confidence in how it dives into tight corners, holds the line, and exits with poise. You can sense the chassis flexing just enough to communicate what’s happening underneath, without unsettling the balance.
The tyre noise, however, does make its presence felt, especially around sharper bends. It’s not intrusive, but noticeable enough to remind you that grip doesn’t come quietly. In fact, while I was waiting in the paddock for my turn to drive it, I could hear tyres screeching from as far as the fourth, fifth, and even the sixth corners. This sort of added to the immersion. The soundscape of rubber and tarmac complemented the turbo’s whistle and exhaust’s growl. By the second lap, the confidence set in. I braked later, turned sharper, and let the car stretch its legs on the straights. The DSG gearbox was lightning quick, always anticipating your next move. There’s something addictive about how the RS builds speed. It doesn’t explode forward; it surges with purpose, like it’s wound tight and waiting to be uncoiled.
Power Meets Poise
Where the Octavia RS truly shines is in its composure. The suspension feels perfectly tuned. It’s firm enough for track aggression, yet not punishing over kerbs or imperfections. Through turns 10 and 11, the car holds steady even when you expect a hint of body roll. It’s the sort of balance that defines great driver’s cars. You trust it, and it rewards that trust. By the third and final lap, I’d stopped thinking about specs and numbers altogether. It was just me, the track, and the machine, almost perfectly in sync. The RS had found its rhythm, and so had I.
The Practical Performer
Off the track, the Octavia RS continued to make its case as a car that blends performance with real-world usability. Its boot space alone puts most hot hatches to shame and acts as a reminder that this isn’t a toy; it’s a tool for those who want thrills without compromising on everyday needs. The Golf GTI, brilliant as it is, feels more niche, more indulgent. The RS, on the other hand, feels like it could be your daily driver and your weekend escape.
Heartbreak in a Bottle
Here’s where the story takes a twist. Those 100 cars are all sold out. And Skoda knows exactly what that means for enthusiasts. Their entire marketing campaign for the Octavia RS has been designed not around selling it, but consoling those who can’t have it. At the drive event, they even handed out a bottle of perfume with the in-car fragrance titled “Driver’s Seat.” A tongue-in-cheek nod to the heartbreak of never being able to actually sit in one. It’s clever, slightly cruel, and entirely in tune with the cult following the RS badge commands.
The Final Word
Driving the fourth-gen Skoda Octavia RS on the Buddh International Circuit felt like catching up with an old friend. One who’s gotten sharper, faster, and maybe a little more elusive. It’s not a perfect car (those wheel inserts still haunt me), but it’s one of those rare machines that connects on a visceral level. As the laps ended and I handed back the keys, the perfume bottle in my hand felt like a souvenir from a fleeting romance. A reminder of what performance, precision, and personality feel like when they come together just right. Because for the lucky hundred who own one, the RS isn’t just a car. It’s the last great goodbye.