Propelled by a 230 bhp two-litre petrol engine, ‘230’ in the new RS model’s name refers to its horsepower.

ŠKODA has upgraded the two-litre TSI, used in the ŠKODA Octavia RS, by 10 hp – and combined with the manual six-speed gearbox accelerates the Octavia RS 230 saloon from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds. Top speed potential is 250 km/h. This makes the ŠKODA Octavia 230 RS the fastest production Octavia of all time. The 2.0 TSI can also be combined with an automatic six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The car comes in a choice of hatchback or Combi (estate) version and is the flagship of the Octavia RS range.

Features in addition to the rest of the RS range include the Black design package (black glossy door mirrors, grill and roof rails for the combi), black glossy exhaust tailpipe, a sports exhaust tailpipe with a sports sound, 19” “Xtreme” alloy wheels with a black glossy finish, and a black grid on the bumper.

Inside, the car gets a special black leather interior, a colour Maxi Dot display with a Lap Timer, a 3-spoke Supersport multi-function steering wheel with controls for the phone and radio and in DSG models, there are paddle shifters behind the wheel. It also features electronically controlled front seats, with a memory function.

The ŠKODA Octavia RS 230 is the brand’s first car to feature an electronically-controlled front axle inter-wheel lock (front differential lock) as standard – a feature that is particularly well suited to dynamic cornering. This provides greater traction, reduces understeer during acceleration and provides more accurate vehicle behaviour.

The RS 230 has a starting price of €35,995 for the hatchback model with a six-speed manual gearbox and €37,095 for the Combi version.