The top of the range Skoda Octavia vRS 245 has been revealed. Head this way for everything you need to know, including the 0-62mph time, what gadgets you get and how it compares with the standard Octavia vRS.
Not quite content with the Skoda Octavia vRS, a more powerful version has already been shown to motoring journalists. The Octavia vRS 245, as it is known, will enjoy its world debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. In the meantime, let us tell you what we know so far.
1) No other Octavia is as powerful
Skoda has managed to eke out an extra 15bhp from the 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol. That and 273lb/ft (370Nm) of torque from between 1,600 and 4,300rpm should ensure ample forward motion, with 0-62mph coming and going in 6.6 seconds for the Octavia hatchback and 6.7 seconds for the less gainly Octavia estate. 50 to 75mph, meanwhile, takes 6.6 seconds for the former and a tenth of a second slower for the estate.
2) It has a Sporty McSport design
The front end has been tweaked to make the Octavia vRS 245 look more aggressive and purposeful. Changes include a wider radiator grille, wider honeycomb air inlets, redesigned front bumper and redesigned LED headlights clusters with LED technology. It also gets a spoiler (located on the roof in the case of the estate), vRS logo with a gloss-black ‘V’ logo and black mirrors and trapezoidal exhaust pipes for added stealth appeal.
3) The interior continues the sporty theme
The cabin of the Octavia vRS 245 is predominantly black, with silver-coloured pedals breaking things up. A sporty leather steering wheel with multifunction controls and paddles for the optional seven-speed DSG gearbox, Alcantara sports seats with vRS logos and ambient lighting in one of ten colours all do their bit to help justify the higher price and make the cabin more exciting.
4) It comes with a limited-slip differential
Performance enthusiasts will appreciate the fact Skoda has fitted a VAQ limited-slip differential to the Octavia vRS 245 to help make it more effective at speed. It is also 14mm lower and has a 38mm wider rear track than its predecessor, while 19-inch alloys fit snugly under the arches. Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), available on faster Skodas, can be specced for a potentially better drive.
5) It can be a very expensive router
WiFi hotspot functionality is becoming more common and the Octavia vRS is another benefactor – if you pay extra for the top-of-the-range Colombus navigation system, which features a 9.2-inch display and optional LTE support for potentially faster data speeds. Destinations can be entered using your voice and the driver can ask for help finding a parking space, check local fuel prices and even check the weather. Although you can look out the window for that.
6) You can unlock the vRS 245 using an app
Into your apps? The Skoda Connect app can be used to control the windows, lighting, doors and sunroof remotely just in case, for instance, you manage to lock yourself out or want to check how much fuel you have left. It even shows where your car is, in case you forget where you parked, and can put you in touch with a breakdown service with one button press.
7) Safety matters to the Octavia vRS 245
An array of safety systems can be had on the Octavia vRS 245, including adaptive cruise control, city emergency braking, manoeuvre assist, rear traffic alert, blind spot detect, predictive pedestrian protection and trailer assist. All should, in theory, make the car safer and make life easier for the driver.
8) It has special bottle holders
No, really. In case you struggle opening a bottle of water while driving, the Octavia vRS has what it calls ‘special bottle holders’ that let you open PET bottles using one hand. Not only that, you get two USB ports in the front for charging two gadgets at the same time and a heated steering wheel for brisk mornings. One model even comes with a removable LED torch that recharges when not in use.
9) It should prove popular
More than 200,000 RS and vRS models have been sold to date, according to Skoda, with 100,000 of those in the form of the third-generation Octavia, which has been on sale since 2013. 20 per cent of those have been of the vRS variety so the vRS 245 could be a solid earner for Skoda.
10) It could cost this much
As is so common these days, car manufacturers like to hold back UK prices until after the grand unveiling, so we have a while to wait before we know how much the new Octavia vRS 245 will cost. But a range-topping model means a range-topping price and that means it will undoubtedly cost more than its predecessor (blame Brexit), which started from £25,130.
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