The fastest production Octavia in history, the new third-generation Skoda Octavia vRS, will cost between £22,990 and £25,450.
Offered with high-performance petrol and diesel engines in saloon and estate bodystyles, it is capable of 0-62mph in 6.8sec and a top speed of 154mph in its most potent petrol-powered state.
Set for a global reveal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week, the Skoda comes equipped with either a 217bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine from the Volkswagen Golf GTI or a 181bhp 2.0 TDI diesel unit from the Golf GTD. The vRS diesel manages 0-62mph in 8.1sec and a 144mph top speed.
A six-speed manual gearbox is standard for both versions, whereas a six-speed DSG dual-clutch is optional. Fuel economy is said to be improved by 19 per cent over the previous-generation Octavia vRS.
Sports suspension is standard on the front-drive Octavia vRS, with an electronic XDS differential equipped as standard to help improve traction and reduce understeer. A ‘progressive’ steering set-up with a quicker rack also features.
The Skoda Octavia vRS is easily distinguished from more humble Octavias thanks to a series of sporty design changes. There is a new front grille, honeycomb air intakes, new front and rear bumpers, a black rear diffuser, chrome trapezoidal exhaust tips, a rear spoiler, LED rear lights and bi-xenon front headlights with integrated LEDs.
Alloy wheels of 17in, 18in and 19in in diameter are all offered, with 225/45 tyres offered on the 17s and 225/45s offered on the 18s and 19s. Sat behind the alloys are red brake calipers.
Inside, there are sports seats, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and sill plates, and a new instrument panel. Black trim and vRS badging also feature.
The new Skoda Octavia vRS is due on sale in the UK in August.
Skoda Octavia vRS prices
Octavia vRS hatchback 2.0 TSI - £22,990
Octavia vRS hatchback 2.0 TSI 220PS DSG - £24,380
Octavia vRS hatchback 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DPF - £23,260
Octavia vRS hatchback 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DSG DPF - £24,650
Octavia vRS estate 2.0 TSI 220PS - £23,790
Octavia vRS estate 2.0 TSI 220PS DSG - £25,180
Octavia vRS estate 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DPF - £24,060
Octavia vRS estate 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DSG DPF - £25,450
Skoda Octavia vRS standard specification
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Skoda have a pretty good market position
I have a current vRS estate DSG petrol and it's due for replacing shortly and the only other car that looks like it could do the trick (that is less than £25,000) is the Focus ST estate but whilst it has a lot going for it i'm not sure it would be big enough, were this would be fine. Insignia estate too expensive, Focus ST estate too small, Mazda 6 estate too slow. Looks like i might end up with another Skoda.
Private Hire
The jokes about private hire just prove that Skoda are there in terms of reliability and running costs. I'm beginning to think that VAG may have shot themselves in the foot with Skoda. Who is going to want a boring old Passat estate or A4 "Avant" when this is cheaper, looks so much better and won't leave everyone regarding you as a knob.
Price will be the key factor
If these positive reactions are anything to go by, then perhaps I can assume that someone I know will also buy this rather big old lump for C-Segment, thus making him/her first among my acquaintances who bought a Skoda. Perhaps someone who seeks VW's "perceived quality" at cut price or travels with large dogs in the back or a shed load of garden tools.