The Škoda Octavia Combi RS has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Golden Steering Wheel in the mid-sized car category. Initially, readers of the German publications Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag voted the Škoda Octavia Combi RS into the top three out of 16 cars in this category. Following this, a panel of experts conducted a rigorous test drive on the Lausitzring race track in Germany. This victory marks Škoda Auto’s ninth Golden Steering Wheel award. Škoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer received the award at a ceremony in Berlin.
“Škoda is always committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations, and this prestigious award from Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag readers, along with the expert jury, is a testament to that goal. I am deeply grateful. The Octavia, our bestseller, is a true brand icon, consistently praised for its hallmark Škoda qualities: spaciousness, practicality, and outstanding value. These features helped the Octavia Combi become Europe’s best-selling estate car last year and in the first half of 2024. The fourth generation continues this success, with the Octavia Combi RS representing the sportiest variant. I’m proud to have driven it up to the awards stage!”, said Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto.
This year saw 78 new cars compete for one of the coveted Golden Steering Wheel awards. Each manufacturer was able to nominate up to three models. The readers of “Auto Bild” and “Bild am Sonntag” then decided which of these would ultimately make it into the final round with expert test drives on the Lausitzring. Vehicles competed in seven different categories. 16 new models entered the field in the mid-sized segment. The Škoda Octavia Combi RS wowed readers with its overall package and was awarded a ticket to the finals at the Lausitzring. During the demanding test drives, the bestselling model series’ sporty range-topper also impressed the 21-strong jury of racing drivers, journalists and celebrities with its driving characteristics. The judges included rally world champion Sébastien Ogier and motorsport legend Hans-Joachim Stuck, a former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner. The vehicles had to score points in numerous areas such as brake feel, acceleration, agility, steering and many more.
The Octavia Combi RS offers 195 kW (265 hp) of power. It has a 7-speed automatic DSG transmission and delivers a top speed of 250 km/h. Its turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit comes from the EA 888 engine family. The top version of Škoda’s bestseller, which has sold over seven million units to date, features black exterior accents and the RS Design Selection for the interior. The equipment includes LED Matrix beam headlights, heated sports seats and a modern infotainment system incorporating ChatGPT for enhanced voice assistant functionality. Representing an excellent value proposition, the Octavia Combi RS is equally suitable as a comfortable fleet vehicle and as a versatile family car.
