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Fast Skodas are more popular than ever. The manufacturer has sold 163,000 Octavia vRS models worldwide since 2001, with 57,000 of those accounted for by the current-generation car.
To further boost sales, Skoda is adding what is effectively Volkswagen’s GTI Performance Pack to the already potent Octavia vRS. It accounts for a 10bhp jump in power, as well as a new exhaust, bigger brakes, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
The upgrades cost £2,520 across the board, whether you opt for manual or DSG, hatchback or Estate. However, in addition to the performance tweaks listed above, vRS 230 buyers also get a set of unique 19-inch ‘Xtreme’ alloy wheels, gloss black details, leather sports seats and a trip computer with lap timer. Park assist is also included, as is sat-nav (standard cars get a touchscreen but no nav) and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.
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The increase in power knocks a tenth of a second off the standard vRS hatchback’s 0-62mph time (now 6.7 seconds), while also claiming the title as the first Skoda to be electronically limited to 155mph (up from 154mph). It returns exactly the same fuel economy (45.6mpg) and emissions (142g/km) as before, but there is no upgrade for the super-frugal vRS diesel.
In theory, the diff alone should be worth the premium. We loved the setup in our long-term Golf GTI, and the idea of a faster, grippier Octavia came as music to our ears. The fact it adds loads more kit – yet still comes in at £1,050 less than a standard five-door GTI – only adds to the 230’s compelling argument.
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The problem is, while these upgrades likely translate into a really flattering road car, the Slovakia Ring race circuit allowed the car to wildly understeer and judder under hard braking. The wide and fast track felt a long way from this car’s natural habitat - this is certainly a car for the road.
The steering is well weighted and the six-speed manual gearbox is just as precise as before. UK buyers also get the option of a six-speed DSG auto, but while steering wheel mounted paddles are standard fit in Britain, the car we tried went without – resulting in a frustrating lack of control on the limit.
There’s no option for adaptive dampers like there is in the Golf, but you can use the car’s vRS button to change the steering, diff, engine and exhaust from ‘Normal’ to ‘Sport’ modes. Selecting the latter firms everything up and makes the car more eager, but we found the steering offered a degree more feel in its default setting.
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Engineers say the clever differential will allow drivers to provoke the vRS into a touch of lift-off oversteer, but we were too busy stopping the car going straight through the super-quick corners at the test circuit to enjoy any sort of action at the back end.
On smooth tarmac the ride was nothing short of sublime, but with no tweaks the suspension and even larger 19-inch wheels it’s likely to feel firmer on pitted UK roads. We’ll reserve judgment on whether or not the upgrades come at the expense of the Octavia’s normally compliant ride until we try it here in the coming months.
- Price: £26,350
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
- Power/torque: 227bhp/350Nm
- Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 6.7 seconds
- Top speed: 155mph
- Economy/CO2: 45.6mpg/142g/km
- On sale: Now