Skoda is for the first time offering all-wheel drive on its sporty Octavia RS model (vRS in the UK). The Octavia RS 4×4 is available as a 2.0 TDI model with the six-speed DSG transmission. Also available as a Combi wagon but no AWD for the 220 PS/350 Nm 2.0 TSI petrol RS.
The 2.0 TDI makes 184 PS and 380 Nm of diesel torque between 1,750 and 3,250 rpm. With AWD, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 228 km/h (7.7 seconds and 224 km/h for the Combi). Fuel consumption is 4.9 litres per 100 km (5.0 l/100 km for Combi).
The AWD system is based on an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch and torque distribution to all four wheels is dependent on the situation. It doesn’t just improve driving dynamics, but also active safety, Skoda says. Useful for winter driving in the brand’s main market, Europe.
Like the front-wheel drive RS, the Octavia RS 4×4 comes with a sports chassis with multi-link rear axle and electronic differential lock XDS+, but the adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is new to the range. Seen in VW cars, DCC has Normal, Comfort or Sport modes selectable by a button in the centre console. Driving Mode Select also features Eco and Individual modes.
Another new feature for the third-gen Octavia family is the 4×4’s wireless smartphone charger, which connects the smartphone wirelessly to the car aerial and then charges via inductive coupling, using the Qi standard. Electricity flows from a coil in the bottom of the phonebox to the receiver coil in the smartphone.
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