New Skoda Octavia vRS line-up completed with arrival of new diesel variant

Skoda has completed the new fourth-generation Octavia vRS line-up in the UK by introducing the third and final variant: the vRS diesel, which is on sale in Britain now.

It joins the petrol powered vRS and the first ever plug-in hybrid version of the brand’s performance halo car, mirroring the hot trio of Golfs now offered by Volkswagen (GTI, GTD and GTE.)

The petrol powered Octavia vRS TSI is priced from £30,605, with an estate version from £31,835. It is uses the Volkswagen Group’s familiar turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is also found in the latest Golf GTI. It has an output of 247bhp and 370Nm of torque – enough, says Skoda, for a 0–62mph time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. 

Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed automatic, with no fuel economy or CO2 discrepancy between the transmissions. The estate bodystyle is slightly heavier though, so its 40.2mpg and 159g/km CO2 figures are slightly down on the 40.8mpg and 157g/km numbers claimed by hatchback versions of the vRS TSI. 

The plug-in hybrid Octavia vRS iV is powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and a 113bhp electric motor. Like the GTI’s unit, the vRS shares this with a hot Golf – in this case the GTE – and develops 242bhp and 400Nm. 

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Skoda claims that the Octavia iV can go from 0–62mph in 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 139mph. From a full charge of its battery, it offers a 37-mile range on electric power alone. Both petrol and electric drive is sent to the front axle only, via a six-speed DSG gearbox that can be controlled using paddle-shifters found on the back of the steering wheel. Fuel economy and emissions for the hatchback are claimed at 249.9mpg and 26g/km, with the vRS iV Estate model returning 233.3mpg and 27g/km based on WLTP testing. 

The hatchback variant of the Octavia vRS iV has an entry price of £35,645, while the estate model starts from £36,875. 

The new vRS diesel is priced from £32,260 for the hatchback and £33,530 for the estate. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 197bhp and 400Nm torque, and uses a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard too. 

However, alongside front-wheel-drive versions, the diesel is also available with four-wheel-drive, priced from £33,745. Front wheel drive versions of the vRS diesel achieve 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, with the added traction of four-wheel-drive dropping 4x4 versions to 6.8 seconds. Top speed is 155mph in the basic vRS diesel, which also claims 56.6mpg and 130g/km CO2. 

Standard equipment for the new Octavia vRS includes 19-inch alloy wheels, an aggressive body kit, LED Matrix headlights, privacy glass and chrome finishers for the exhaust tips. Buyers also get front and rear parking sensors, red brake calipers and a new tailgate spoiler.

Inside, buyers get heated sports seats, a leather sports steering wheel, Alcantara trim for the dashboard and aluminium pedals. There’s a few technology upgrades over the standard model, too, such as keyless go, an LED ambient lighting package and a pair of 10-inch screens – one behind the steering wheel and one mounted in the centre of the dashboard.

Skoda has also fitted a range of chassis upgrades for the vRS line-up, including 15mm lower sports suspension, adaptive dampers, a unique steering profile and a limited-slip differential for the petrol-powered models. The TSI versions come with 17-inch disc brakes all round, while the upcoming diesel gets 16-inch brakes up front and 15-inch brakes at the rear.

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