I had the keys to fastest car in the OD Garage this month, the Octavia RS. So did I go berserk clocking 200kmph? Or dump the clutch at 3000rpm to revel in the smell of burnt rubber and go bragging about my 0-100kmph times? Nope. I just went ahead and did a few fuel efficiency runs!
Well, call me what you like - a dried up petrol-head or an environmentalist, but I was just too fascinated with this instant fuel consumption thing. And I wanted that figure to stay at zero! So I would shift at below 1500rpm to keep that instant consumption figure below the 11-litre to 100kmpl mark, driving not with a feather touch of the throttle, but just blowing on it. And would jump with joy when the figure dropped to 2.8. Finally, after all my devotion all I could achieve was a measly 11.53kmpl.
But then, asking the RS to return zillion kilometres to a litre instead of tearing up the tarmac is like asking Mallika Sherawat to preen and crimp in salwar-kameez instead of strutting her stuff in halter and thong! Okay, the archetype might not be the best you have heard, but you get the point.
Yes, every car has her qualities. Let’s take our long-term fleet: The Scorpio - she evokes emotions. For all her flaws, you can’t help falling in love with her. The VTEC on the other hand, even though cold, was such a brilliantly challenging car. Yes, I know it might not seem such, but drive her hard and if you are in for it, she is as rewarding as it gets.
The Octavia RS meanwhile is something of a polished fire breather. Composed, but heart-poundingly fast. Nothing seems to disturb her, be it low flying in a straight line or going around corners you won’t attempt in most other cars. In a Mercedes maybe, or maybe even an Accord... The point is, it’s bloody difficult trying to get the car to her limits. Push her to 200kmph and it still feels as if the car is pottering around. No drama whatsoever. Frankly, it gets boring after a while.
That’s why I like driving the car for fuel efficiency. It’s a more involving and challenging experience. You are constantly looking at the meter, and it’s talking to you, telling how much fuel per 100km you are actually consuming.
But she is also a poser. Take her out in the evening, and the hoi polloi gawk at you with respect if not awe, thanks to that vRS badge. Then there’s the sunroof quality that’s nothing less than charming. I love to say my goodbyes every morning after I am seated in the car, up to my waiting wife and dog. While in other cars I have to fall out or maybe open the door to wave bye bye, in the RS, I just turn the roof mounted knob and voila! The first time I did it, my missus couldn’t help hold her ‘I am truly impressed’ smile back. And for me that’s a day made!
She isn’t perfect, however. And I mean both, the two-and four-legged kind, but we’ll just stick to the latter here.
The ride on the car is stiff and noisy and the seats though supportive, are hard. Over decently long journeys, the RS does get uncomfortable. She is also physical. If you own one, try driving around your building at the designated speed of 10-20kmph and you’ll know what I mean – the steering is heavy, as is the clutch for city use.
For a brimming petrol-head though, the RS is just what the doctor ordered.
