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Skoda shows off new Octavia vRS hot hatch
Skoda reveals more details about the high-performance model that will sit at the top of the recently revised Octavia range.
- Range-topping Octavia available as both hatchback and estate
- Petrol-engined version is most powerful Skoda ever put into production
- Wil go on sale in 2017, along with rest of the recently revised range
These are photographs of the high-performance model that will sit at the top of the recently revised Skoda Octavia range. The vRS will be available as both a hatchback and estate, and with the choice of petrol or diesel engines.
The unveiling of this revised flagship model follows on from the announcement of a facelifted version of the Octavia, but several detail changes make the vRS stand out from the regular models. At the front, the bumpers have been redesigned and incorporate wider air intakes in the honeycomb structure; the grille is also wider and flanked by full-LED headlights. Meanwhile, at the rear, there’s a spoiler, as well as a black diffuser and a red reflector under the bumper, while the red brake calipers that show through the alloy wheels are unique to the vRS. The standard specification brings 18-inch alloys, but 19-inch wheels are available as an option. The new look is finished off inside with part-leather (or, as an option, Alcantara-trimmed) sports seats and a sports steering wheel, with ambient lighting as standard.
The unveiling of this revised flagship model follows on from the announcement of a facelifted version of the Octavia, but several detail changes make the vRS stand out from the regular models. At the front, the bumpers have been redesigned and incorporate wider air intakes in the honeycomb structure; the grille is also wider and flanked by full-LED headlights. Meanwhile, at the rear, there’s a spoiler, as well as a black diffuser and a red reflector under the bumper, while the red brake calipers that show through the alloy wheels are unique to the vRS. The standard specification brings 18-inch alloys, but 19-inch wheels are available as an option. The new look is finished off inside with part-leather (or, as an option, Alcantara-trimmed) sports seats and a sports steering wheel, with ambient lighting as standard.
What hasn’t changed is the 2.0-litre diesel, which continues to be available with both two- and four-wheel drive, averaging 62.8mpg and giving the car a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine, on the other hand, has been uprated, making this latest vRS the most powerful and fastest car that Skoda has ever put into production. It comes only with front-wheel drive, but with 227bhp, it dashes off the 0-62mph sprint in 6.7 seconds, while averaging more than 43mpg and emitting 149g/km of CO2. As befits the flagship model in the Octavia range, the vRS comes with the very latest touch-screen infotainment systems, as well as the most up-to-date driver-assistance systems. These include Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect and Rear Traffic Alert. There’s no confirmation from Skoda about how much the new vRS – a rival for cars such as the Ford Focus ST – will cost. However, we expect to see it not long after the rest of the range – deliveries of which are expected to start around March – and anticipate only a slight rise in price, suggesting the vRS models will start at about £26,000.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine, on the other hand, has been uprated, making this latest vRS the most powerful and fastest car that Skoda has ever put into production. It comes only with front-wheel drive, but with 227bhp, it dashes off the 0-62mph sprint in 6.7 seconds, while averaging more than 43mpg and emitting 149g/km of CO2. As befits the flagship model in the Octavia range, the vRS comes with the very latest touch-screen infotainment systems, as well as the most up-to-date driver-assistance systems. These include Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect and Rear Traffic Alert. There’s no confirmation from Skoda about how much the new vRS – a rival for cars such as the Ford Focus ST – will cost. However, we expect to see it not long after the rest of the range – deliveries of which are expected to start around March – and anticipate only a slight rise in price, suggesting the vRS models will start at about £26,000.