Skoda Octavia vRS megatest: each mannequin pushed

When the Skoda Octavia was launched within the UK in 1998, it was the Czech model’s first new mannequin underneath Volkswagen possession. Even again then, VW’s large ambitions for Skoda had been clear to see as a result of it did not cease there. Skoda additionally tried its hand at making a efficiency sub-brand – the consequence was the Skoda Octavia vRS.

There was appreciable motorsport heritage at Skoda to underpin this enterprise into the quick highway automotive world: as not too long ago as 1996, the model had completed a outstanding third within the RAC Rally, with legendary driver Stig Blomquist on the wheel of a Felicia Equipment Automotive. The Felicia was changed the next yr by – you guessed it – the Octavia itself. 

Skoda’s sporty sub-brand was initially referred to as RS, however this upset Ford within the UK, which had used the Rally Sport nomenclature for a while. The lowercase ‘v’, which stands for ‘victory’, was added to create one thing distinctive.

As a part of our Octavia twenty fifth anniversary celebrations, we drove all 4 Skoda Octavia vRS fashions back-to-back, so scroll down under to learn our ideas on every of those landmark automobiles in reasonably priced efficiency…

Skoda Octavia vRS Mk1

The vRS branding was utilized to the Octavia first. Sharing its tech with the VW Group as soon as once more had its benefits, and on this occasion, it was the supply of some potent powertrains. The Octavia had the 1.8-litre, 20-valve turbo petrol unit that was utilized in the whole lot from the Golf GTI to the Audi TT.

Within the Octavia, the motor pumped out 178bhp. But it surely was greater than merely a case of shoehorning an enormous engine underneath the bonnet. This mannequin additionally gained larger brakes, additional physique strengthening, firmer shock absorbers and 15mm-lower springs, plus a brand new design of anti-roll bar.

Regardless of this, it nonetheless feels very enjoyable by fashionable hot-hatch requirements. The journey is forgiving, and there’s an considerable degree of physique roll. It’s on no account missing management; if something, the set-up lets you movement with a typical B-road higher than its extra fashionable equivalents. The turbocharged engine isn’t as responsive because the very newest efficiency models, however that increase brings with it sturdy mid-range acceleration and a way of event all of its personal. It’s paired with a five-speed guide gearbox, which in all fairness exact in its operation.

The subtlety to the styling is one thing that extra fashionable hatches can study from, too. Inexperienced brake callipers and a modest physique equipment apart, it’s a reasonably understated look. The 2-tone seats and good three-spoke steering wheel can’t fairly raise the darkish cabin atmosphere, although.

The early vRS fashions are certain to be collectable sooner or later sooner or later, and whereas the ultra-high-milers go for lower than £1,000, we’d purpose to spend a little bit over double that to get a a lot much less used instance. We will’t see them getting any cheaper.

Skoda Octavia vRS Mk2

For the step as much as the Mk2 vRS, the purpose was to provide one thing that wasn’t essentially the sharpest scorching hatch, however one which mixed a little bit of enjoyable with touring capability, but extra sophistication due to unbiased rear suspension. However the Mk2 automotive weighed 150kg greater than its predecessor. Energy took a helpful step as much as 197bhp – dropping the 0-62mph time to 7.3 seconds – and a DSG twin-clutch automated gearbox was provided for the primary time. There was even a diesel model obtainable, which flaunted the sporty vRS seems whereas providing a lot stronger gas effectivity.

Second-generation vRS fashions begin from little greater than the unique automobiles and are extra plentiful on the used market. Most have mileages comfortably into six figures, with good, low-mileage petrol property fashions creeping in direction of £9,000.

Skoda Octavia vRS Mk3

Skoda needed to stress simply how grown up the efficiency potential of the Mk3 actually was giving the automotive its grand debut on the 2013 Goodwood Pageant of Pace. Energy took a helpful hike to 239bhp by the point the facelifted mannequin was revealed later within the mannequin’s manufacturing run. A brand new electronically managed differential saved all of the torque in verify, whereas a revised steering geometry was designed to offer a extra grown-up really feel.

Many hot-hatch followers fairly rightly rave concerning the Mk7 Golf GTI, however with this automotive sharing a lot underneath the pores and skin, it makes it a really perfect alternative if you’d like a barely extra sensible scorching hatch. It’s good enjoyable to drive on the fitting highway, and holds up pretty strongly on monitor.

The one exception is the diesel model. Regardless of promising significantly better gas financial system, the facility supply may be very flat (even within the later 197bhp diesels), so there’s little incentive to make use of the rev vary’s full potential. It didn’t fairly match the invoice as a bona-fide scorching hatch, though it regarded the half, due to black exterior highlights and a chin spoiler.

Skoda Octavia vRS Mk4

As with the usual fourth-generation Octavia, the vRS’s design and know-how mark the best enchancment. The brand new form definitely makes the present automotive look essentially the most menacing, and lashings of Alcantara trim make it really feel like a highway racer inside.

On the transfer, it’s doable to really feel a steering rack that has been returned to make its response each faster and extra exact. A plug-in hybrid model can also be provided, which mixes a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol with a 118bhp electrical motor. However as with the diesel choices of its Mk3 predecessor, it’s too heavy and its powertrain not thrilling sufficient to suit the hot- hatch invoice. Deal with the PHEV model as a fast cruiser, nevertheless, and it begins to make a whole lot of sense.

Click on right here for our record of the greatest scorching hatchbacks on sale proper now…