The Skoda Octavia is one of the best do-everything, no-nonsense, back-to-basics family saloons you can find today, though you might argue that it’s a bit too ‘vanilla’. It’s a pretty refined car, but you do have to wonder just how much more exciting Skoda could make it… Maybe with a bit more power, perhaps? If you’re curious, worry no more, as Skoda has imbued the Octavia with exactly that, with the introduction of the new vRS and SportLine models, respectively. It’s an exciting little mid-life update to the Octavia, which is certainly right up my alley, and Skoda even gave the vRS trim some rally-inspired upgrades, too. And that’s no exaggeration!
Specifically, the new Skoda Octavia vRS makes this the most powerful production Octavia ever made, with its new 2.0-litre inline-4 petrol engine. Based on VW’s EA888 family of engines, the Octavia vRS thus shares the same lineage with Skoda’s championship-winning Fabia RS Rally2 car. In the all-new Octavia vRS, power output is up by 20 PS – now rated at a rather healthy 265 PS – from the outgoing model. Additionally, maximum torque has been raised to 370Nm, which Skoda then mates to a quick-shifting 7-speed DSG transmission. If you opt for the Octavia vRS hatchback, a 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in 6.4 seconds, or 6.5 seconds for the Estate.
A Potent Championship-Winning Rally Lineage
Yet, despite all these tasty performance upgrades, the new Skoda Octavia vRS has shockingly good fuel economy figures. Choosing the lighter hatchback variant yields WLTP fuel efficiency numbers of around 40.8 MPG, while the estate model is pretty close behind, at 40.3 MPG. It’s not just raw power that Skoda has tinkered into the new Octavia vRS, as they’ve made ample improvements to the base Octavia’s chassis. Both vRS models are now lower by 15mm, which should subsequently lower their centre of gravity, giving you much sharper and more responsive dynamics. Additionally, there are the ‘VAQ Electrohydraulic’ differential locks, too.
The latter helps to optimize your traction by more effectively distributing power between the wheels, particularly during cornering. In so doing, it’s able to prevent excessive slippage with the inside wheel, thus further improving cornering speeds and providing more stability. Besides that, the new Skoda Octavia vRS has been given a racier design treatment. Inside and out, you get a tonne of blacked-out trim pieces, a sportier look, a handful of ‘vRS’ badges, as well as a lot more standard equipment over the regular Octavia. If you want to, you could also spec a few fetching options for the vRS models, such as a cool-looking heads-up display.
Adding Excitement To Skoda’s Do-It-All Family Car
Thankfully, if you can’t afford or don’t want the extra power of the vRS models, the refreshed Skoda Octavia sees an updated SportLine trim level. Slotting below the vRS, you can now spec one new engine option in addition to the existing 1.5-litre engines – a 2.0-litre TDI powertrain, with its modest 150 PS output. This new diesel engine is paired with a familiar 7-speed DSG auto transmission, which offers one excellent benefit over the vRS – superb fuel economy. Based on WLTP figures, you’re looking at an impressive 60.6 MPG for the SportLine hatch, or 59.9 MPG for the estate model. This makes either body style a perfect long-distance road trip machine.
On top of that, the now-expanded Octavia SportLine range features plenty more sporty design elements, with their 18-inch alloy wheels and gloss black exterior trim. Inside, you get carbon-effect trim and sports bucket seats, too. If you’re interested, the new Octavia vRS and updated SportLine models are available to order now, with a very attractive starting price, respectively. You’re looking at a starting price of £35,775 and £36,805 for the 2.0 TDI SportLine hatch and estate, in addition to £38,670 and £39,775 for the vRS hatch and estate. So, if you’re looking for a bit more speed from Skoda’s popular Octavia, these are definitely worth considering.
