Mervyn Stewart Skoda, Boucher Cresent, Belfast lent UsedCars NI the fastest production Octavia ever: the new ŠKODA Octavia vRS celebrates its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the 10th of July. The Czech manufacturer continues the most comprehensive model campaign in the company’s history with this latest model. The third generation Octavia vRS/Octavia estate vRS really creates a strong impression with its powerful and efficient engines, racy design and innovative technology.
“The new ŠKODA Octavia vRS is in a sports league of its own,” says ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “Our latest model stands for horsepower and fuel efficiency and, at the same time, for emotion and rationality. Never before has an Octavia vRS been so fast and dynamic and yet so spacious, convenient, safe and comfortable as the third generation of our compact sports car. In this perfect combination, the new Octavia vRS and Octavia estate vRS set new standards in the sporty compact class and also takes the brand’s sporty genes with it on the road. A perfect car for free time and everyday use, maximum power, the latest technology and great value for money,” explains Vahland.
The new Octavia vRS accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 154 mph (with manual six-speed gearbox). The new model also offers all the outstanding features of the new ŠKODA Octavia: highest functionality, plenty of room, top-safety, state-of-the-art assistance systems in terms of safety and comfort, as well as being excellent value for money. The new ŠKODA Octavia vRS will be available for retail in European markets as of July, starting in the UK. Two new engines power the new ŠKODA Octavia vRS. There is a choice of the two-litre petrol 220 PS ortwo-litre diesel 184 PS. The 2.0 TSI-petrol, in conjunction with the six-speed manual gearbox, thrusts the Octavia vRS from 0 to 62 mph in only 6.8 seconds. The maximum speed now lies at 154 mph, making it 4 mph faster than the second generation Octavia vRS. The new Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI-diesel manages 0 to 62 mph in 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 144 mph (with six-speed manual gearbox).
Compared to the second generation Octavia vRS, the new engines provide more power whilst consuming up to 19% less fuel. Start-Stop and Brake Energy Regeneration are fitted as standard. A manual gearbox or DSG dual clutch transmission are available as options for both engines, each with six gears. Modern suspension optimises the handling of the compact sports car. The new ŠKODA Octavia vRS is fitted with sports suspension as standard. The body has also been lowered by 12mm compared to the standard Octavia (Octavia estate vRS body: 13 mm). The newly developed multi-link axle is used as the rear axle. For precise track guidance, there is a MacPherson strut with underlying triangle wishbone. Electronic differential lock XDS integrated into the electronic stability control (ESC) now comes as standard. This function improves the traction of the wheels and reduces the tendency to understeer in fast cornering. For better handling and greater agility comes the new electro-mechanical progressive steering. Thanks to this technology, the driver can make smaller movements in steering to achieve the desired turning radius. That means less grip is needed for tight corners.
Speed and class are conveyed in the new ŠKODA Octavia vRS design from the word go. Either as Octavia vRS or Octavia estate vRS, the latest ŠKODA model really shows off its lean sporty genes. It is clear to onlookers from the start that this is the new sporty Octavia vRS and the brand’s new design language shines through. The front view is dominated by the creative interplay of the characteristic ŠKODA front grille sporting the vRS badge, distinctive honeycomb air intakes, a new vRS-style front bumper and fog lights as well as the new bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights now fitted as standard. From the side view,the car is considerably lower compared to the standard Octavia body. In comparison to the second generation Octavia vRS, the vehicle has grown significantly in length ( 88 mm, estate 86 mm) and width ( 45 mm). At the same time the wheelbase has risen by 102mm, enhancing the powerful image of the car as the shortened overhang. The series standard, red-lacquered brake callipers provide pure emotion, as do the powerful proportions, high tornado line and sharp, precise edges and lines.
The Octavia vRS’s new light-alloy wheels lend the car a particularly sporty look. The designers have created four new 17”, 18” and 19” wheel designs. The tyres have an impressive, racy two-tone look, a distinctive outfit, visual lightness, sharp edges and a finish precise to the smallest detail. The new Octavia vRS drives on the series standard ‘Dorado’ 17” light alloys fitted with 225/45 tyres. Then there are the optional 18” ‘Gemini’ and ‘Pictoris’ alloys (each for 225/40 tyres). Two colours are available for the ‘Gemini’: silver und anthracite. Anyone who appreciates ultra-sporty wheels will love ŠKODA’s accessories for the Octavia vRS and there are yet more treats in store like the ‘Xtrem’ 19” light alloys in black. The rear is dominated in the lower section by a strong black diffuser element and the overlying wide reflector spotlight.These elements are also distinctive features of the new Octavia vRS just like the two large, trapezoidal-shaped chrome exhaust tailpipes. Then there are the rear lights fitted as standard with LED technology in the brand’s typical C-shape. And the designers have not forgotten about the spoiler, which, on the estate vRS, is fitted as a roof-edge spoiler.
The interior of the new ŠKODA Octavia vRS is characterised by the sporty, black interior. The interior of the front doors is newly equipped with integrated ambient lighting for the internal door handles. There are newly developed vRS-design sports seats for the driver and passenger and a sporty three-spoke steering wheel with perforated leather is fitted as standard. The gear stick and handbrake are also made of leather. The sill plates and pedals are made of stainless steel. The instrument panel with a rich-colour Maxi DOT display has its own unique vRS design. The steering wheel, gear stick, door sill panels, seats and floor mats all sport the vRS logo. In addition to its sporty features, the new ŠKODA Octavia boasts all the outstanding attributes that distinguish it as the new Octavia in both body versions. These primarily include the superior interior space and numerous ‘Simply Clever’ solutions. ŠKODA’s well-known quality is also an integral part of the sporty version.
Space like no other: no other compact sports car offers more interior length (1,782 mm), more legroom (73 mm) or more headroom in the back (980 mm). Even the boot sets another record in the class: The boot volume in the Octavia vRS increased by 5 litres to 590 litres, and the estate vRS has increased to 610 litres. Added to that, there are a whole host of other ‘Simply Clever’ features, such as the foldable cargoitems as well as the double-sided boot flooring, an ice scraper in the fuel cap and the high-vis jacket under the driver’s seat. There are also litter containers, multimedia holders and a number of storage compartments, holders and hooks fitted as standard in the new Octavia vRS. The new Octavia estate vRS has an optional adjustable boot floor. The jacket shelf under the boot cover is new in the estate vRS. The roller cover for the boot can be removed and stowed under the adjustable loading floor. The backrest of the rear seat can also be folded 60:40.
The new ŠKODA Octavia vRS boasts the highest level of safety. Included in the newly developed safety system are the Front Assistant with city emergency braking, Lane Assistant to keep you on track, Automatic Post Collision Braking System with automatic brake intervention in the event of an accident, Crew Protect Assistant to protect the vehicle under accident conditions and the Driver Fatigue Sensor. In the event of an accident, a comprehensive package of passive safety features work to provide the best possible protection for the driver and passengers with up to nine airbags amongst other things. The car leaves nothing to be desired in terms of comfort thanks to the many on board comfort systems. As an option, the new ŠKODA Octavia vRS comes with Adaptive Cruise Assistant, which keeps a set distance from the car ahead. The new Intelligent Light Assistant automatically switches the long-beam lights on and off. The Automatic Parking Assistant supports you getting in and out of tight spaces. The road sign detection in the ‘Traveller Assistant’ package indicates traffic signals.
KESSY Keyless-Entry-Start-and-Exit-System is also available upon request for the new Octavia vRS along with the electric panoramic sunroof for both body versions. In addition, there is a completely new generation of infotainment radio and navigation systems. Swing – the CD/radio with TFT monochrome display is also fitted as standard in the brand’s latest model with four front and rear speakers. Up to eight full-size touch screens with proximity sensors are fitted in higher systems. The CANTON Sound System offers passengers sound-optimised audio for pure listening pleasure.
Photos: Graham Curry
