The Octavia RS wowed the Indian market with the performance it offered at the price, and it seems likely that Skoda is going to launch its successor by Diwali. The Laura RS is available in overseas markets with a host of goodies like optional 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inchers are standard) LED daytime running lamps, and most of all, a 170PS diesel engine! Rumour has it that the Indian version will not have either the 200PS petrol or the 170PS diesel, but the same 160PS petrol that is found under the hood of the current Laura TSI.
This is a very quick car, but it's also so refined and progressive that the excitement seems to have been lost a little. The change of suspension, tyres and bodykit will undoubtedly make it a much more appealling driver's car, but we can't help but hope Skoda takes the plunge and offers the 170PS diesel - it is, after all, now available in the VW Passat already and should make its way to the Superb soon. A diesel car that can outrun most other cars on the road and still return good running costs... It'd be every Indian petrolhead's dream. Expect pricing to cap off the Laura range, which currently stops at Rs 19-odd lakh. This won't make it as much value as the old RS, but we're sure it will be a success if sold as a limited edition and in small numbers.
