Explore Vietnam’s newest high-performance petrol models – the VW Golf R Performance and Skoda Octavia RS – and learn how they challenge the electric wave. Find out more now!
Vietnam’s auto market is buzzing with electric and hybrid launches, but a surprising counter‑trend is emerging. European manufacturers are re‑introducing high‑performance gasoline models, giving enthusiasts a new way to enjoy raw power alongside the green wave.
Volkswagen Golf R Performance – The Hot‑Hatch That Packs a Punch
The Golf R Performance arrives with a 2.0‑litre turbocharged TSI engine delivering 320 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Coupled with a 7‑speed DSG dual‑clutch gearbox and permanent all‑wheel drive (4Motion), it rockets from 0‑100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 270 km/h.
- Engine: 2.0 L TSI turbo
- Power: 320 hp (236 kW)
- Torque: 420 Nm
- Transmission: 7‑speed DSG
- Drive: 4Motion AWD
- 0‑100 km/h: 4.8 s
- Top speed: 270 km/h (electronic limit)
- Price: VND 1.898 billion
Priced lower than the soon‑to‑exit Honda Civic Type R, the Golf R Performance positions itself as a more affordable gateway to genuine German performance. However, with a price approaching VND 2 billion, it remains a niche offering for dedicated enthusiasts.
Skoda Octavia RS – Czech Power in a Compact Sedan
Skoda’s answer to the performance segment is the Octavia RS, a C‑segment sedan equipped with a 2.0‑litre TSI engine that pushes out 265 hp and 370 Nm of torque. The power is sent through the same 7‑speed DSG, but the car is front‑wheel‑drive, achieving 0‑100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and a top speed limited to 250 km/h.
- Engine: 2.0 L TSI
- Power: 265 hp (196 kW)
- Torque: 370 Nm
- Transmission: 7‑speed DSG
- Drive: Front‑wheel drive
- 0‑100 km/h: 6.4 s
- Top speed: 250 km/h (electronic limit)
- Price: VND 1.608 billion
At VND 1.608 billion, the Octavia RS becomes the most expensive model in Skoda’s Vietnam lineup, underscoring its status as a specialist vehicle rather than a volume seller.
Market Reality: Who Will Actually Buy These Machines?
Both the Golf R Performance and Octavia RS sit at the top end of their brands’ price ranges in Vietnam. While they showcase impressive engineering, sales forecasts suggest modest numbers:
- The Honda Civic Type R, a direct competitor, sold only 19 units in 2023 and 11 in early 2024. Even if all remaining units are snapped up, total sales won’t exceed 50 cars.
- Local‑assembled Skoda models such as the Slavia and Kushaq dominate the brand’s volume, thanks to lower pricing and local production advantages.
- Volkswagen’s eTSI Golf variants (priced under VND 1 billion) and the GTI (VND 1.288‑1.468 billion) are likely to attract far more buyers than the R Performance.
In other words, these high‑performance gasoline cars act more as brand ambassadors—proof that European manufacturers can still deliver thrills on the road—rather than as revenue drivers.
Why Launch Them Now?
The timing may appear counter‑intuitive amid a strong push toward electrification, but there are strategic reasons:
- Brand positioning: Offering a halo model helps reinforce a perception of technical prowess and broadens the product portfolio.
- Customer segmentation: A small, affluent segment still craves the sound and feel of a high‑revving petrol engine.
- Future‑proofing: As electric infrastructure expands, a modest volume of performance petrol cars can fill the gap while brands develop hybrid or electric equivalents.
What’s Next for Vietnam’s Performance Segment?
With the electrified wave still gathering momentum, we can expect more manufacturers to experiment with niche, high‑output gasoline models—especially as they seek to differentiate themselves from the flood of Japanese and Korean mainstream offerings.
For now, the Volkswagen Golf R Performance and Skoda Octavia RS stand as bold statements on Vietnam’s increasingly diverse automotive stage, giving true enthusiasts a reason to smile amid the quiet hum of electric cars.
