Volkswagen and Skoda are finally giving Indian enthusiasts something to smile about. The Golf GTI, the original hot hatch, is landing on our shores while Skoda brings back the Octavia RS. Both share the same 2.0-litre TSI engine and 7-speed DSG gearbox, but they have very different characters.
The Golf GTI is the scrappy younger sibling who lives for backroads. The Octavia RS is the grown-up one who behaves most of the time but knows how to misbehave when the road opens up.
The Golf GTI looks tidy and confident. Short, low and just the right amount of aggressive. The red grille strip, honeycomb fogs and subtle badging tell you what it is without shouting about it.
The Octavia RS takes a bolder approach. The blacked-out grille and mirrors, the larger 19-inch wheels and the wider stance make it look properly sporty. It is longer too, at around 4.7 metres, compared to the Golf’s 4.3, which means more space inside but a touch less agility.
Both look fast standing still, but each plays a different note. The Golf whispers performance while the Octavia flexes it.
Inside, both cars show Volkswagen Group's knack for quality and simplicity. The GTI gets red stitching, sports seats and that signature tartan pattern that’s been around since the Seventies. It feels focused without being austere.
The Octavia RS goes darker with Alcantara and red accents. It feels more substantial, more sedan than racer. Both get large touchscreens, digital driver displays, wireless smartphone connectivity and enough ambient lighting to turn the cabin into a lounge on wheels.
Under the bonnet sits the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. The Golf GTI produces 242bhp and 370Nm of torque. The Octavia RS squeezes out a bit more power at 261bhp, but the same 370Nm of twist.
The Golf’s lighter weight makes it the quicker one. It hits 100 kmph in 5.9 seconds while the Octavia takes 6.4 seconds. Both top out at 250 kmph, electronically limited to keep things civil.
The Golf will likely feel more eager thanks to its shorter wheelbase and tighter suspension. The Octavia will be calmer, better at soaking up bad roads and long drives.
Expect to pay around ₹52 lakh (ex-showroom) for the Golf GTI. The Octavia RS should come in between ₹45 and ₹50 lakh. These are not cars you buy with your head. They are cars you buy with your heart and a strong justification to your accountant.
The Golf GTI is the sharper and more playful one. It’s a car you drive for the sheer joy of driving. The steering is quick, the chassis tight, the grin instant.
The Octavia RS will be the one you can actually live with. It seems practical, refined and still fast enough to make your daily commute interesting. It’s the car for the enthusiast who has grown up but not gone soft. Either way, it’s good to see Volkswagen and Skoda remembering what made us fall for them in the first place. Turbo engines, slick gearboxes and that unmistakable European charm. About time, too.
