Škoda Octavia RS Returns to India: Only 100 Units Coming in 2025

After discontinuing its high-end Octavia sedan in 2023, Škoda Auto India is set to reintroduce the Octavia RS to the Indian market, this time as a fully built unit (FBU) import.

Pre-bookings will open on October 6, 2025, and deliveries are expected to begin on November 6, 2025. Only 100 units will be brought in for the remainder of 2025. 

Import Strategy & Regulatory Framework

Using GSR-870 Rule

Škoda plans to use the GSR 870(E) rule to import the cars from the Czech Republic. Under this regulation, up to 2,500 fully built vehicles per fiscal year can be imported without local homologation testing, provided they meet UK or Japan specifications.

Local Assembly Considerations

For now, the Octavia RS will be imported as an FBU, but Škoda says it will “evaluate the business case” for local assembly later, depending on factors such as demand, regulation, cost, and viability. 

Price, Specification & Positioning

Expected Price & Variant Details

• The UK price for the Octavia RS is £39,965 (about ₹ 47.7 lakh), but since the Indian version will be imported fully built, the price in India is expected to be higher, likely in the ₹ 50-55 lakh (ex-showroom) range. The price will be officially announced on October 17, 2025. 

Engine, Performance & Features

• The Octavia RS will come powered by a 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine producing about 265 PS and 370 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 7-speed DSG (dual-clutch) automatic gearbox. 

• Performance specs include 0-100 km/h in ~6.4 seconds and a top speed of around 250 km/h. 

• Some UK-spec features will be carried over; however, certain options like Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) even as optional are not available in the Indian-spec import due to import regulation constraints. 

Heritage & Sales Context

Octavia’s Legacy in India

• The Octavia first entered the Indian market in 2004. The fourth generation was locally assembled until the model was discontinued in 2023 due to new emission norms (BS6-II).

• There are currently around 100,000 Octavia cars on Indian roads. 

Sales Momentum & Market Share

• In the period January to August 2025, Škoda sold approximately 46,600 units, up from about 35,000 units in the same period the previous year. Around 30,000 of these were its compact SUV Kylaq, the rest were Kushaq and Slavia. This corresponds to a growth of ~135%. 

• Škoda aims to double its market share in India by the end of 2025; in 2024 it was about 0.8%.

• The company is expanding its presence in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with a large share of new showrooms and workshops in smaller cities. For example, Itanagar has been added to its dealership network. 

Conclusion

The return of the Octavia RS to India marks Škoda’s attempt to revive a halo sedan in a segment that has been shrinking, especially for performance-oriented sedans.

By importing a limited number under the GSR-870 rule, Škoda retains exclusivity, limits regulatory complexity, and caters to enthusiasts who seek powerful, well-equipped sedans.

The pricing, expected to be in the ₹ 50-55 lakh range, positions it as a premium alternative to compact luxury sedans, though its success will depend on how well the Indian buyer perceives value relative to features, running costs, and after-sales support.

If demand proves strong, moving to local assembly could help reduce costs and broaden appeal. For now, the Octavia RS’s revival is both a celebration of heritage and a strategic bet in India’s evolving premium automotive landscape.