Czech Stormer

The Skoda Octavia RS245 is a titillating fastback with pace and space in equal measure.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE cars typically come with high price tags.

In other words, the more ponies a car has, the more dollars you’ll have to pony up to own it.

Skoda, however, has bucked this trend with its Octavia RS245, which delivers serious bang for the buck.

And it will also go “Bang!” when you put the pedal to the metal.

For the uninitiated, the RS245 is the hot-blooded model of the Octavia range.

Beneath its bonnet is a turbocharged 2-litre four-cylinder that delivers 242hp and 370Nm of torque. With these outputs, the RS245 zips from rest to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Meanwhile, the tamer Octavia Ambition and Ambition Plus models have turbocharged 1.4-litre engines that deliver 148hp and 250Nm, and a zero to 100kmh time of 8.2 seconds.

You can tell the RS245 apart from its siblings just by looking at it.

It has more aggressivelooking front and rear bumpers, larger 18-inch wheels and black wing mirror covers.

Compared to the normal Octavia models, the RS245 sits 15mm closer to the ground, thanks to its standard sports suspension.

Inside, front passengers get electrically adjustable sports seats.