Skoda would be launching its Laura with badges of the RS on the front and rear including a lot of goodies loaded along with it. We can start with the cosmetic upgrades, which include the RS to be available in white, sprint yellow, black, and racing blue colours. The racing blue and sprint yellow colours look very good. The car also features xenon headlamps and fog lamps with cornering function in the front. Daytime LEDs look all illuminated and new.
Headlamp washers and lip spoilers are also fitted on the front bumper. Exteriorly, the cosmetic upgrades include chequered doors for the RS with rear spoiler and twin tailpipes. Interiorly, the floor mats of the RS look good and alloy inserts for the Onyx hue. Interiors also feature the Alacantra seats made up of leather and active headrests. It also comprises of a three spoke steering wheel which is wrapped with leather and the car has metal pedals. The other features included in the RS are parking sensors, audio unit that is L&K derived, rain-tracking wipers, electric sunroof and pressure monitor for tyres.
The car retains what the standard TSI had that is 1.8 motor paired with six-speed transmission manual gearbox. Power is still the same with 160 bhp of output, but 10 bhp more than Skoda Octavia RS. Better suspension changes are made and the tyres are now 205/55 R16.
All in all, there is a sense of excitement in the new RS. Tentative launch date of the RS would be August 31, 2011, and the price is expected to be Rs. 17,00,000.
