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Skoda has unveiled the fourth-generation Octavia vRS line-up in full. The range is due to go on sale in the UK this autumn and when it arrives, it’ll act as a more practical alternative to traditional hot hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renaultsport Megane.
Buyers will be offered their pick of either a hatchback or estate, as well as a choice of three engines, which includes a petrol, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid powertrain - a first for the vRS.
The petrol engine is the Volkswagen Group’s familiar turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, which is also found in the Golf GTI. It produces 242bhp and 370Nm of torque and it sends power to the front wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox – all of which offers a 0–62mph time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.
Skoda’s diesel Octavia vRS uses Volkswagen’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, which develops 197bhp. The engine will be offered with a choice of either front- or four-wheel-drive and a seven-speed DSG transmission – although Skoda is yet to officially confirm the engine’s performance specs.
Finally, the plug-in hybrid Octavia vRS iV is powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 113bhp electric motor. It’s the same powertrain as the new Golf GTE, developing 242bhp and 400Nm, while CO2 emissions could be as low as 30g/km under WLTP rules.
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As well as that CO2 figure, Skoda claims that this hot Octavia can go from 0–62mph in 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 139mph. And that’s all while being able to cover 37 miles on electric power only – just as long as you can regularly recharged the car’s 13kWh battery pack. Power is sent to the front axle only, via a six-speed DSG gearbox that can be controlled using paddle-shifters found behind the steering wheel.
Skoda has also fitted a range of chassis upgrades across 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 also feature 17-inch disc brakes all round, while the diesel gets 16-inch brake up front and 15-inch brakes at the rear.
Design and interior
Elsewhere, the latest Octavia vRS gets a sporty visual transformation. It has a body kit with new, aggressive cuts, and air vents with gloss-black surrounds, a new front bumper, rear diffuser and roof spoiler, while wheels of up to 19 inches can be specified. Gloss-black 18in wheels come as standard, along with full LED-matrix headlights and LED tail-lights.
• Best hot hatchbacks on sale now
Inside, the Octavia vRS gets an Alcantara headlining and dashboard trim, Alcantara sports seats, aluminium pedals and a pair of 10-inch screens – one behind the steering wheel and one mounted in the centre of the dashboard. The new sports steering wheel is also a unique three-spoke unit, compared with the two-spoke wheel on the normal Octavia.
2020 Skoda Octavia vRS: pricing
Prices for the plug-in iV version are likely to start from £32,000, and it will be positioned as the most expensive version of the new Octavia vRS trio. UK specifications and standard equipment levels have not yet been finalised, however.
Do you like the look of the new Skoda Octavia vRS iV? Let us know your thoughts below...
Continue reading...
Buyers will be offered their pick of either a hatchback or estate, as well as a choice of three engines, which includes a petrol, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid powertrain - a first for the vRS.
The petrol engine is the Volkswagen Group’s familiar turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, which is also found in the Golf GTI. It produces 242bhp and 370Nm of torque and it sends power to the front wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox – all of which offers a 0–62mph time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.
Skoda’s diesel Octavia vRS uses Volkswagen’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, which develops 197bhp. The engine will be offered with a choice of either front- or four-wheel-drive and a seven-speed DSG transmission – although Skoda is yet to officially confirm the engine’s performance specs.
Finally, the plug-in hybrid Octavia vRS iV is powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 113bhp electric motor. It’s the same powertrain as the new Golf GTE, developing 242bhp and 400Nm, while CO2 emissions could be as low as 30g/km under WLTP rules.
image
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image
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As well as that CO2 figure, Skoda claims that this hot Octavia can go from 0–62mph in 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 139mph. And that’s all while being able to cover 37 miles on electric power only – just as long as you can regularly recharged the car’s 13kWh battery pack. Power is sent to the front axle only, via a six-speed DSG gearbox that can be controlled using paddle-shifters found behind the steering wheel.
Skoda has also fitted a range of chassis upgrades across 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 also feature 17-inch disc brakes all round, while the diesel gets 16-inch brake up front and 15-inch brakes at the rear.
Design and interior
Elsewhere, the latest Octavia vRS gets a sporty visual transformation. It has a body kit with new, aggressive cuts, and air vents with gloss-black surrounds, a new front bumper, rear diffuser and roof spoiler, while wheels of up to 19 inches can be specified. Gloss-black 18in wheels come as standard, along with full LED-matrix headlights and LED tail-lights.
• Best hot hatchbacks on sale now
Inside, the Octavia vRS gets an Alcantara headlining and dashboard trim, Alcantara sports seats, aluminium pedals and a pair of 10-inch screens – one behind the steering wheel and one mounted in the centre of the dashboard. The new sports steering wheel is also a unique three-spoke unit, compared with the two-spoke wheel on the normal Octavia.
2020 Skoda Octavia vRS: pricing
Prices for the plug-in iV version are likely to start from £32,000, and it will be positioned as the most expensive version of the new Octavia vRS trio. UK specifications and standard equipment levels have not yet been finalised, however.
Do you like the look of the new Skoda Octavia vRS iV? Let us know your thoughts below...
Continue reading...