Thursday 28th July 2016

Skoda Octavia vRS 230 Estate: PH Fleet

A (relatively) quiet month for the hard working Skoda

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After weeks and weeks of racking up huge mileages, the Skoda has been taking it slightly easier for the last month. Of course, all things are relative and the Octavia has still been back to Le Mans for the third time in its four-month lifespan, this time for the Classic. On top of this it also took centre stage at our recent Sunday Service, hosted by Skoda. Well, it would have been rude not to!

Most of the stickers are off now. Honest

Over these past few months I've spoken a few times about how the Skoda has managed to win me over, and this shows no sign of abating. I live a fairly strange life - I love cars and am lucky enough to drive something different on a regular basis, with new cars often on the horizon. This should mean that I get bored of cars very quickly, or at least become very picky about what I drive. However, not once have I ever felt like I got the short straw when driving the Skoda.

Even when the other option is a Range Rover. For logistical reasons I've ended up in Dan's SVR for the last week or so, which remains damn impressive despite plenty of prior experience. It is fast, comfortable, prestigious, it sounds great and is worth about four times more than 'my' Skoda. But you know what? I am genuinely looking forward to getting back into the vRS.

I suspect that this is at least in part down to the fact that I feel so comfortable in it - who wouldn't after so many miles? But saying that, I also like the combination of comfort, performance, practicality and - dare I say it - image.

Always a talking point at PH events

That's right folks, I like the image that driving a Skoda portrays. Being in my mid-thirties, I can still remember a time when Skoda jokes were really common. And they were common because Skodas really were pretty dreadful things. Since the company's acquisition by the VW group in 1991, they've been working hard at turning the image around. I think it is fair to say that they've been pretty successful in this regard. OK, so there will always be some people unwilling to forgive and forget; my mother-in-law being a prime example. She doesn't especially like cars or know much about them, but when I told her I was getting a Skoda she pretty much laughed in my face. Saying that, when the car turned up she did say "I thought you were getting a Skoda, isn't that an Audi?". This shows her lack of knowledge, but also how far the styling has come too.

It seems that I'm not alone in feeling this way about Skodas too. Since I've been driving the car it has received a startling amount of attention. Even when parked next to the aforementioned Range Rover SVR during our Le Mans Pit Stop it seemed to attract more attention. I suspect that this is down to people seeing the appeal of a car that is a very 'real world' proposition, with an excellent blend of price, performance and practicality.

Sun is shining, James is happy!

As I'm sure many of you will also find as fellow car nerds, I'm often asked for my opinion when friends are considering a new purchase. I seem to regularly find myself asking my friends if they've considered a Skoda when they start talking about Golfs, A3s and so on. Initially they're surprised, but many of them seem to end up taking the advice.

I suppose that if you were not into cars you wouldn't understand just how similar a Skoda is to its VW, SEAT or Audi stablemates. Being car enthusiasts, does that then mean that we end up being the earlier adopters and champions of a brand like Skoda? Judging by the interest in our Octavia vRS both online and in the metal, I think we might be.

So I'm going to continue enjoying the car and the image it portrays of its driver. The next month has plenty in store for the car, so it is time for some brief TLC before a European road trip beckons.

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FACT SHEET
Car: 2016 Skoda Octavia vRS 230 Estate
Run by: James
On fleet since: April 2016
Mileage: TBC, a fair bit though!
List price new: £29,910 (Basic list of £27,800 plus £550 for tow bar, £765 for Adaptive Cruise Control, Crew Protection Assist for £150, Heated seats for £200, Simply Clever package for £85 and Meteor Grey paint for £360)
Last month at a glance: James embraces the fast Skoda image

Previous reports: 
Yes, really, a grey Skoda estate on the PH Fleet
Practical family estate into track car does go!
Two trips to Le Mans down, another one to go...

[McAndy]

I recently bought a Mk2 facelift vRS hatch. Many mocked me when I told them I'd bought it, but then they saw it. It really does generate a lot of positivity!

[McAndy]

James Drake said:

Agreed - I think that they're genuinely good looking cars. Jury is still out on the vRS 230 "extreme" alloys though... so far the only conclusion is that they definitely look better dirty!

JD

I'm not a fan of the diamond cut look, to be honest. If I ever go Mk3 I'll be avoiding/changing them.