Skoda Octavia vRS
Published: 13th September 2005
Engine
At the heart of any great sporting car is a great engine, and new Octavia vRS is no exception. The 200bhp TFSI 2.0-litre turbo engine fitted to the Octavia vRS is the most powerful ever offered by Skoda. It’s also the most flexible with an amazing 280Nm of torque on tap from just 1,800rpm. On the road, this gives the Octavia vRS breathtaking performance. With a 0-62 time of just 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 149mph, the Octavia vRS is a fully paid-up member of the hot-hatch pack.
The Octavia vRS engine is also something of a technical marvel. This advanced engine is the first turbocharged petrol powerplant to feature direct injection. Unlike conventional turbo engines where the fuel injectors are located in an intake manifold, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. The injectors on the cylinder head use the high pressure injection system with a pressure reservoir and work at a pressure of up to 11 MPa (110 bar). The advantage? With direct injection under very high pressure, fuel flow can be controlled more accurately. This gives a cleaner burn which in turn improves power output and fuel economy.
The cylinder block is made from cast iron which is strong and has excellent acoustic characteristics. Two balancing shafts ensure that it remains a smooth performer at all speeds. A specially-designed exhaust system has been developed to further enhance the vRS driving experience.
Despite its amazing power output, the TFSI 2.0-litre turbo engine is friendly on both the wallet and the environment. It complies with EU4 emissions regulations and has a combined consumption of 35.8mpg. The CO2 output is 190g/km.
Standard Equipment
In true vRS tradition, the new Octavia vRS is packed with standard equipment. On the safety front, all models are fitted with four airbags, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). In addition, the Octavia vRS is equipped with ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as standard.
Those with a taste for the finer things in life will appreciate the standard-fit Climatic air-conditioning, CD player and remote central locking. All cars are covered by Skoda’s comprehensive warranty package.
A wide range of optional equipment includes curtain airbags, electric sunroof, 18" alloy wheels and satellite navigation.
Pricing
The new Octavia vRS will go on sale in the UK in December 2006, with retailers able to take advance orders from the Autumn. The hatch version will be priced at £17,500 OTR, with the estate at £18,200; both continue the outstanding value that is such an integral part of the Skoda brand.
Summary
Based on the Octavia hatch and estate, launched in 2004, and the winner of a string of awards including the What Car? Best Small Family Car and overall Silver Award, the Octavia vRS is the newest definition of Skoda’s "extra bit of car". The extra bit this time includes a staggering helping of sportiness along with the Octavia’s legendary equipment levels and carrying capacity. These combine to make the Octavia vRS, the most powerful road-going Skoda yet, an unrivalled combination of performance and practicality.
Skoda Octavia
Our Skoda Octavia Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Octavia range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £11,145 - £20,070
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 15
We have road tested the Skoda Octavia, to read our in-depth car reviews:
Skoda Octavia Review - Nov 2004
Skoda Octavia Review - Jan 2007
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 21st Sep 2008
