[volkman10]

Bookings open on 1st March 12:00pm- online only

features a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine, which now puts out 245hp and 370Nm of torque (15hp and 20Nm more than before). Paired with a 7-speed DSG, the Octavia RS 245 has a quicker 0-100kph time of 6.6sec (the previous car did it in 6.8sec), while the top speed remains the same, at 250kph

[ethanhunt123]

This is really atrocious pricing .... 45L for a FWD Octy. Pay a little more and get 330i mSport .... maybe even cheaper if BMW launches 330i in lower trims.

[Santoshbhat]

I think the pricing is pretty much on expected lines. They have to sell just 200 units, so they aren't really under much pressure. There is a huge void between the performance sedan options of Octavia 1.8 TSI and the 330i and this sits bang in the middle.

Would I buy one? Maybe, maybe not. I love my GTI and love how special it is to own and drive. But if I was in the market for a performance sedan right now, I don't know whether I could escape the lure of the new G20 330i which by all accounts is one brilliant car.

[Ashish0485]

The previous vRS (230 hp) didn’t have any price-based competition that allowed it a unique positioning. Many enthusiasts that bought that car (including me) did it because we couldn’t have afforded a 330i. The upcoming vRS with a 36 lacs ex-showroom price tag has inadvertently pitted itself against the premium sedan offerings from the three Germans. It would just not be the power figures for comparison but factors such as interior cabin quality, material plushness, badge value would come into play. It would be difficult for the car and the brand to stand a chance in these dimensions. My prediction, it’s a dead-on-arrival product.

[Stribog]

This just begs the question, why doesn't Honda launch the Type R, priced attractively (it comes in at around Rs 21lakh in the USA for the base version, so assume it comes in as a CBU with all the duties, it can still retail at around Rs 30-32 lakhs, and with its mammoth (for Indian conditions) 300 BHP engine, it will definitely sell well amongst enthusiasts and give Honda a fresh breath.

Yet they persist with models like the BRV!

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by Stribog

This just begs the question, why doesn't Honda launch the Type R, priced attractively (it comes in at around Rs 21lakh in the USA for the base version, so assume it comes in as a CBU with all the duties, it can still retail at around Rs 30-32 lakhs, and with its mammoth (for Indian conditions) 300 BHP engine, it will definitely sell well amongst enthusiasts and give Honda a fresh breath.

Yet they persist with models like the BRV!

Cause they are busy giving VRS to their employees and then getting ready to retire themselves.

[gururajrv]

I’m a die hard fan of Skoda now - the adrenaline this car creates visually only is so attracting, I can only imagine how would it be to drive one of these

This version of Octavia is extremely sexy compared to any of the previous / upcoming ones too.

[Pancham]

I don't understand why we are comparing this to the 330i. Skoda is selling exclusivity packaged with emotions that only high end Porsche/Ferrari buyer feel when they procure a GT3 or a Speciale. I mean it's only 200 units and IT WILL SELL faster than this car touches 100KMPH. On the other hand, 330i, although can hold its candle, is a mainstream sedan that will be on sale for another 6 years.

[Ashish0485]

Originally Posted by Pancham

I don't understand why we are comparing this to the 330i. Skoda is selling exclusivity packaged with emotions that only high end Porsche/Ferrari buyer feel when they procure a GT3 or a Speciale. I mean it's only 200 units and IT WILL SELL faster than this car touches 100KMPH. On the other hand, 330i, although can hold its candle, is a mainstream sedan that will be on sale for another 6 years.

Because at similar price point:
Skoda + exclusivity + a 245 bhp fwd car < bmw + mainstream + a 258 bhp rwd car

[kiku007]

I look forward to the sales report at the end of the year. I don't know if BMW was able to sell 200 330i cars in a year. If Skoda manages to sell 200 cars at 45L on-road then that'll be epic.


The pricing is dangerously close to the 330i but are people more open to modifying the hell out of a Skoda than a BMW?

[reignofchaos]

Only people who would buy this are hardcore modders who would want to boost the power to significantly higher numbers. The BMW B48 in comparison is a pretty terrible engine for tuning.

Everyone else would move towards the G20 330i. This car is DOA at that price.

[vj123]

330i (258 bhp with RWD) is a great option on paper. I have not driven a G20 and cant really comment on this specific vehicle but in general BMW has moved far away from their tagline - The Ultimate Driving Experience. Most of their entry level vehicles are targeted towards the masses and not enthusiasts.

On the other hand, vRS might be just another FWD vehicle with 245 bhp. Its very hard to appreciate the potential of this platform unless someone experiences it. 36 lakhs exshowroom price is very reasonable considering the fact that only 200 units will be sold as CBU. GT2RS costs almost twice as that of base 911 and its ex showroom price on par with 488 & Huracan. But GT2RS is more desirable than a mainstream Ferrari or a Lambo.

I might disagree with most people here but I am glad that Skoda is bringing this vehicle to India.

[Mad Max]

Would have definitely gone for this if it was south of 30L. As many have said, once you cross this barrier, the options open up quickly to include luxury sedans.

Two things that may go in favor for this

1. The maintenance costs vs. the luxury brands - I believe it's much cheaper to maintain the Skoda than a BMW / Merc. Owners / enthusiasts - please comment

2. I don't think the FWD will be too much of an issue. The LSD would definitely help keep things in place during launch. Unless we are using this for drag racing or track days, much of the on-road dynamics would be a bit degraded or at par to a RWD.

If these get sold out, I'm sure Skoda will be enthused to bring in the newer RS to our shores as well.

[Turbanator]

Saw One at Auto expo yesterday and it looked very regular, not a bad thing but I am not sure if many people will like that. It looks mostly the same as the one they had before. The Red Superb at their stall looked more sportier to me.

Looking the response here we can assume safely that Skoda has erred on the prices. We might not know for sure what happens to 200 units as they will ship to dealerships to take care at later date in case there are not enough online orders.

[Guna]

After watching the video of the new Octavia, I don't know who would go for this car, unless someone only cares about performance and is not bothered much about the design. I know new RS may be still sometime away but once that is launched, this version is going to feel really dated.