Skoda Octavia RS: sporty sedan, wagon here in 2014

Unveiled in both sedan and wagon guises, and arriving locally in early-2014, the new Skoda Octavia RS is the Czech brand's quickest series-production Octavia in history with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds – half a second faster than the previous generation.

Powered by a 162kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine borrowed from the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7, and up 15kW on the previous model’s 2.0-litre unit, the RS will hit a top speed of 248km/h.

As offered previously, the RS is also available with a diesel alternative. Now a 135kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, an extra 10kW helps the oiler reach three figures in 8.1 seconds.

Both engines are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and come with engine stop-start technology as standard.

New sports suspension that places the RS models 12-13mm lower than the standard Octavia, joins a new electronic differential lock, dark-tinted bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, red brake calipers, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and trapezoidal chrome exhaust tips.

The arrival of the flagship Skoda Octavia RS will follow the launch of rest of the third-generation Octavia range taking place at the end of this year.

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