Skoda has announced that its Australian range will shortly expand with the introduction of Octavia RS models powered by a 125kW turbodiesel.

The Octavia RS -- already blessed with plenty of mumbo from its turbocharged 147kW 2.0-litre TFSI direct-injection petrol engine -- will gain a further torque boost with the introduction of 125kW common-rail turbodiesel variants later this month. Generating 350Nm of torque from as low as 1800rpm, the new engine has a 70Nm head start over the petrol engine.

The Octavia RS TDI will be the first Skoda model to be sold in Australia with this new engine, which is Euro IV-compliant and features a diesel particulate filter. Unlike the 'pump jet' induction system diesels that Skoda currently offers throughout Australia, the new engine employs the latest generation of common-rail induction and will also power the company's Superb large car when that arrives here early next year.

As yet, the specification for the Octavia RS is not set in concrete -- according to Skoda -- but the new engine will be available in both the liftback and wagon models. Skoda also says the six-speed DSG transmission will be "available", which presumably means it will be offered as an extra-cost option over a six-speed manual transmission, such as is the default for the petrol models. On the other hand, depending on landed cost and what Skoda thinks the prospective buyer will pay for the car, the DSG box may be the standard fitment with the 125kW TDI engine.

Skoda has settled on 18-inch alloy wheels and 225/40 R18 tyres, as fitted to the petrol variants. There's no word on pricing at this stage, but given the petrol wagon Octavia RS is priced at $39,490, it's not a strong chance that either the liftback or wagon variants of the Octavia RS TDi will come in below $40,000, although a manual liftback variant might sneak in below that figure.

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