As combinations go, 197bhp in a family hatchback is just about right. There is plenty of power for safe overtaking and even when loaded to the gills there is no loss of get up and go. Starting at under €32,000, the hot Skoda ‘vRS’ Octavia is the company’s most powerful production model to date. 0-100km/h takes 7.3 seconds and top speed is 240km/h. 280 nm of torque means the vRS pulls strongly from less than 2,000 revs.
The Octavia vRS is able to cruise with the best GTis out there, yet manages to attract very little of the wrong type of attention. Where Octavia scores highly over the undeniably classier Golf GTi is in boot space. The Octavia’s 560-litre boot is bigger than most student accommodation!
On the road the front-wheel drive vRS feels solid and is capable of breaking traction if provoked. The slightly dull steering offers little feedback but this doesn’t really take away from the fun factor the car generates.
Skoda first made cars in 1905 but in the last few years, thanks to German investment, the company has really come along in leaps and bounds. In 1991 Volkswagen bought a 30% stake in Skoda. This could only happen because of the Velvet Revolution bringing down communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989. In 2001 the German manufacturer bought out the company in full.
Launched in 1998 the Octavia was the first full VW-Skoda, so to speak. The Felicia in 1994 didn’t really benefit much from VW’s involvement. Octavia was the first Skoda to use a full VW platform. Overall build-quality improved greatly and the price was just right. Octavia was genuine value for money. Overnight, it put a full stop to Skoda jokes as the Czech brand pulled its socks up, permanently!
New additions
Skoda Ireland has just launched a couple of new additions to the Octavia range, with the most interesting being a 170bhp diesel vRS. The new 2-litre diesel will do the sprint to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds. It’s available as a hatchback for €33,190 or ‘Combi’ estate for €33,390.
Skoda has also put the a 140bhp TDi unit in the excellent ‘Combi’ four-wheel drive estate. This unit offers hotter performance over the standard engine found in the four-wheel drive Combi, namely the workhorse 1.9 TDi. Prices for the 140bhp car start at €33,245 and rise to €34,485 for the Elegance version.
Those wanting a crossover estate can expect the four-wheel drive Octavia ‘Scout’. Due in early 2007, the scout sits a little higher than the standard estate and looks a little tougher too.
€17,915 will get you on the Octavia ladder (1.4-litre) but for me, despite 17,000 sales in Ireland, the Octavia makes most sense secondhand.
The Octavia is a conventional car that usually goes about its business without attracting too much attention. The vRS is a stealthy machine that will surprise you.
Smart money buys a Skoda.
Michael Sheridan
