Škoda Introduces Gas and Diesel Octavia RS Sedans, Wagons for Europe—Could They Point to Future Jettas?

Fans of sporty European oddities, consider your fancy tickled. Škoda has introduced compact Octavia RS sedan and wagon models for Europe, both of which offer turbocharged gas or diesel power. The Octavia is based on the versatile MQB platform that underpins the seventh-gen Volkswagen Golf and GTI, and much like (fellow VW Group member) Audi's S branding, Škoda's RS badge is applied to its sportier offerings.   The gas version is powered by a 217-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four, while the diesel's 2.0-liter four makes a healthy 181 horsepower. Either engine can be paired to a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and engine stop-start and brake-energy recuperation systems are standard. Škoda claims the gas-fed Octavia RS can hit 62 mph in 6.8 seconds, a time that roughly mirrors the performance of the U.S.-market Jetta GLI; the diesel chugs to benchmark speed in 8.1 seconds. The automaker also re-tuned and lowered the front strut and multilink rear suspension and fitted 17-inch aluminum wheels and the requisite body kit. Buyers can step up to 18- and 19-inch wheels to, uh, have bigger wheels.  Comparison Test: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid vs. Jetta TDI, Jetta GLI, and Jetta 2.5 First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen GTI Instrumented Test: 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Because we're automotive journalists and therefore obligated to love such things under penalty of death, we think the coolest Octavia RS variation is the Combi wagon with the diesel and six-speed manual. Of course, the Octavia Combi diesel wagon—or any Octavia, for that matter—will never come to the U.S., at least not in Škoda guise, but keep in mind that the diesel/manual/wagon golden trifecta exists on our shores in the form of the regular-grade Jetta TDI wagon. And that's likely to continue in the future, when the next-generation Jetta Sportwagen (or whatever it ends up being called) arrives next year, albeit likely without the option of go-fast gear and maybe with a less-powerful version of the 2.0-liter engine. But should the next Jetta sedan switch to VW's MQB architecture, the Octavia RS line could be the starting point for both the next GLI and a car we'll call the GLD. Indeed, with VW seriously looking selling the GTD diesel hatchback on our shores—it's essentially a diesel-powered GTI—it's not unreasonable to imagine the company whipping up a high-output, diesel-powered Jetta GLI. There have been whispers that such a car exists within VW in the purgatory between idea and production—who's up for starting a petition? from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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