Speed is the thing that scares as well as thrills with joy everyone. Skoda Auto considering this, is ready to launch, the new RS (Rally Sport) — the sports icon of all Skoda cars. Previously, Skoda, the Czech car maker has launched of its new Laura and Superb in the “C plus” and “D” segments, respectively (both premium segments). 

In India, probably the RS will be available in two variants: With a 2.0-L TSI engine with 200 PS on tap and a 2.0-L TDI oil burner that churns out 170 PS, which means more power for the buck. 

“The appeal of the RS lies in the fact that it is an everyday sports car i.e. you can enjoy the space of a four-door family car as well as go full throttle when you desire speed,” told Ashutosh Dixit, senior GM (sales & network development), SkodaAuto India to SundayET. 

The base of the new RS will be 160-PS Laura (known as the Octavia abroad and already the fastest car in its class here) platform and will have sporting cues in its interior and exterior design. The RS car will be with a lower drag coefficient (read better aerodynamics), sports suspension and a new sporty body kit. This comes on the back of the fast 4-wheel drive 3.6-L 260-PS V6 Superb that Skoda launched in India recently. 

This car will be in India only after the launch of the Yeti, SkodaAuto’s soft roader, later this year. SkodaAuto is the only company to have had a true-blue “sports” version of its regular sedans in India and company officials also confirmed that it will soon be showcased in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. The turbocharged 1781-cc car spewed 150 PS, which was much more than what a “normal” Skoda Octavia produced. 

Even Honda, Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi and Maruti Suzuki tried same thing by launching sports versions of their regular cars in India. Honda did it by launching a sports variant of its Civic. Ford still sells the Fiesta 1.6S. 

Mitsubishi run in the race with its Cedia Sports. And before few months Toyota also launched a sports version of its popular sedan, the Altis. Except only Fiesta 1.6S, which at least has a retuned suspension, No other carmakers offered any hint of real performance in their sports offerings, apart from looks 

an industry insider on conditions of anonymity said that, “For most, it was just a marketing gimmick to renew consumer interest in their products”. New fog lamps, fresh bumpers, sporty seats, fake aluminium pedals, boot spoiler and stickers were dished out to buyers who wanted some excitement in their daily commute. Skoda Auto with its aggression will make things different soon.

Popular Skoda Car Models:
Skoda Fabia Classic (Diesel)
Skoda Fabia Elegance Mpi (Petrol)
Skoda Fabia Ambiente (Diesel)
Skoda Octavia Rider 1.8 Turbo (Petrol)
Skoda Octavia 1.8 RS Turbo (Petrol)
Skoda Laura Elegance (Diesel)
Skoda Laura 1.9 PD L and K (DSG) AT (Diesel)
Skoda Superb 2.8 V6 (Petrol) (Petrol)
Skoda Superb 2.5 V6 TDI (Diesel)

Related News:
Skoda Auto achieves positive results in the first half of 2009
SkodaAuto opens its first Boutique Showroom in New Delhi
Yeti from Skoda to be assembled at Aurangabad plant
Skoda Octavia & Laura prove the hottest selling cars in C+ segment in India

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Posted by Naresh Koshti on 10 August, 2009 2:41:43 PM IST #