Pussy Galore

comprises new, more stylised headlights, plus
revised front quarter guards and wing mirrors,
and a different bonnet, bumper and grille.
The larger, boomerang-shaped headlights will
come with the option of Xenon globes and an
adaptive light function, while the redesigned
bumper features a wider air intake, fog lights
with cornering function and, for the first time,
daytime running lights. The RS also scores
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new tail-lights while a new 18-inch alloy wheel
design can be had instead of the standard 17inch
items.
Styling is a subjective thing, but few could
argue the Octavia’s smooth new look has the
greatest visual impact in range-topping RS
guise. Gone are the flat, boring headlights of
the current RS, which projected a downcast
and decidedly eastern European look, in favour
of a more contemporary headlight shape that
makes the Octavia both far more aggressive
and upbeat in equal measure. The heavily
chromed Skoda grille still nestles in between
but somehow looks prouder ahead of a more
bulging bonnet and quarter guards, and above
a deeper, more purposeful bumper.
Certainly, the exterior changes are far easier
to pick than the interior upgrades, but it could
be argued the Volkswagen-esque cabin design
and build quality, which is as convincing as its
ergonomics, wasn’t in need of fixing anyway.
Surprise-and-delight cockpit features
continue to abound, like the hidden high-grip
surfaces applied to the inside of the interior
door-pulls and on the floor of the upper
dashboard compartment.
A large, flip-out dash box, easy-to-read
Reign Czech: Skoda’s sportiest model comes in hatch
and wagon body styles, with petrol and diesel power.
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