Tuesday 20th December 2016

New Skoda Octavia vRS announced

A tad more power, new assistance tech and a, er, distinctive new look for the fast Octavia

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While the 280hp Superb may have taken the Octavia vRS's title as the most powerful Skoda, there's still plenty to recommend the flagship Octavia. Just ask James. Now, in line with the updated standard car, the vRS models have been facelifted too.

The big news is additional power for the petrol car, now up to 230hp from 220hp. Presumably this has been allowed now that the Golf GTI boasts more power, although there's no mention yet of the VAQ limited-slip 'diff' being available yet as in the previous 230hp model. Skoda claims a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds and 155mph flat out with the standard six-speed manual; a six-speed DSG is again available as an option.

The diesel carries over unchanged, with 184hp and 280lb ft. It is capable of 7.9 seconds to 62mph, a top speed of 144mph and 119g/km. No jokes about what the actual CO2 is, please. The diesel is available in front-wheel drive with a manual or DSG, plus there's an all-wheel drive variant that's DSG only.

For the chassis, Skoda says this car is 15mm lower and 30mm wider at the rear track than the old vRS. 17s are standard, with 18- and 19-inch wheels available as an option. The usual raft of VW acronyms, including DCC and XDS+, are there to keep you on the straight and narrow.

New technology for this Octavia vRS includes Trailer Assist - even better as a track day tow car then - Crew Protect Assist and an improved Front Assist. There's also a revised range of infotainment systems.

And the new look? "Masculine and dynamic", says Skoda, with the focus on widening the look of the front end. Right. The headlights are now full LED as well.

UK pricing and specs aren't available just yet, Skoda only releasing general market information. Expect those at some point in 2017. Until then this 'old' vRS 230 estate looks like a bargain - 1,200 miles and £20K!

[patmahe]

'Challenging' new face on that. Much prefer the previous version.

[kambites]

Euw, that front end is nasty.

[Truckosaurus]

Still no 280/290 variant. For Shame.

[dmitry]

Design inspired by Henning Wehn

[stuart_83]

Just bought a 65 plate VRS 230 yesterday. Glad I'm not really missing out on anything as I still have the diff

[loudlashadjuster]

Skoda had managed to evolve their look into a handsome and sharp design language, with the current Superb and the not-this-facelift Octavia being the best looking cars they've ever made.

I'll be generous and say that this sets the clock back somewhat. Reminds me of the last Scorpio in many ways.

[rob.e]

dont like the front - my MY16 230 looks much nicer IMO

glad they're finally getting the message about the ride height and track - seems bizarre that they've fitted wheels that sit so inboard in the arches for with a big arch gap in what is (meant to be) a performance car. no wonder so many get eibachs and spacers fitted

[hondansx]

I actually think it looks good!

[anonymous-user]

Why not give the new Octavia Vrs the superb 280 engine? And the 4wd?

Seems pointless having a 'sporty' octavia that have its doors blown off by a standard run of the mill superb?

Foolish.

[AH33]

It's gone from "bland" to "bland and squinty"

[Jonno02]

Oh dear. How to ruin a good looking car 101.

[kambites]

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

Why not give the new Octavia Vrs the superb 280 engine? And the 4wd?

Brand hierarchy, I'd imagine. They don't want it to end up faster than the Golf GTi.

[Truckosaurus]

kambites said:

Brand hierarchy, I'd imagine. They don't want it to end up faster than the Golf GTi.

But they seem to have allowed SEAT to use the more powerful engines.

[kambites]

Truckosaurus said:

kambites said:

Brand hierarchy, I'd imagine. They don't want it to end up faster than the Golf GTi.

But they seem to have allowed SEAT to use the more powerful engines.

Seat is meant to be the "sporty" sub-brand though, Skoda isn't.

ETA: I think from a market positioning point of view, a 4wd version of the Octavia VRS would make a lot of sense though.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 20th December 11:28

[Jonno02]

Truckosaurus said:

But they seem to have allowed SEAT to use the more powerful engines.

SEAT is a different market to Skoda.

[David87]

I recently read that Ian Callum said facelifts offer the opportunity to implement changing trends into the original design.

You heard it here first: looking like a giant fking mess is very 2017.

[anonymous-user]

kambites said:

Truckosaurus said:

kambites said:

Brand hierarchy, I'd imagine. They don't want it to end up faster than the Golf GTi.

But they seem to have allowed SEAT to use the more powerful engines.

Seat is meant to be the "sporty" sub-brand though, Skoda isn't.

ETA: I think from a market positioning point of view, a 4wd version of the Octavia VRS would make a lot of sense though.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 20th December 11:28

But the Vrs is meant to be a sporty skoda model, also which is more embarrassing;

A 'sporty' skoda Vrs maybe being faster than the golf gti,

Or the boring (but comfortable) 280bhp skoda superb almost certainly being faster then a golf gti!!!

[kambites]

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

Or the boring (but comfortable) 280bhp skoda superb almost certainly being faster then a golf gti!!!

The Superb is more expensive than the Golf GTi, though. The Octavia is cheaper.

I could certainly see the argument for a model above the VRS marketed as a sort of "sensible, budget Golf-R" but it would have to be priced above the Golf GTi to work.

[ambuletz]

what a dopey looking front, it's like it's some extinct dinosauer. it's like someone photoshopped the current octavia and made the headlights smaller. that typical cartoon character face where they have a big face/nose but tiny far apart eyes.

[ahenners]

Can anyone keep a straight face and say that the design is "progress" for Skoda?! Facelift looks hideous from the front. Power hike is barely noticeable, and the DSG is still only 6 speed, despite the new Golf GTI getting the 7 speed. Those used pre-facelift examples are starting to look like good value!