Skoda Octavia is one of the most selling sedans of Skoda and has given pleasing number of sales since its launch in India. Skoda is gearing up to launch its high end model which is named as Octavia vRS. The Octavia vRS was already launched globally at Frankfurt motor show in September 2013. It is expected to launch in India very soon this 2014. The added features and the new platform put the Skoda Octavia vRS in the D- Segment. We expected Skoda to launch the vRS soon after the Octavia itself, but slowing sales have made them vary of launching it as it is more of a halo product. The current generation vRS was launched in September last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The car runs on the same engine as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and his time around, has larger proportions that the old Octavia vRS i.e. the Laura vRS. Cosmetically and of course mechanically, the vRS is ahead of the regular Octavia. Not only is there an escalation in segments but expect the price to be slightly higher as well as the Octavia is locally assembled from completely knocked down (CKD) kits imported from Czech Republic hence attracting more taxes.
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Exterior
The Skoda Octavia vRS features the same overall design as the standard car but with much sportier overtones. It’s basically a go-faster Octavia with Skoda’s vRS touch which sees more aggressive bumper work- bigger mesh riddled air dams, subtle side skirts, and revisions to the rear bumper to accommodate a diffuser and twin exhausts. On the sides, the Octavia vRS has a similar profile to the standard car but gets a new 18 inch alloy wheels and consequently bigger tyres which gives to the overall sporty appearance. The rear profile includes dual quad-shaped exhausts and a small rear wing that has been fitted to the boot door.
Interiors
The vRS gets all the features of the standard car in addition to sports-style bucket seats, a three-spoke steering wheel and ambient lighting. Standard kit includes rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, DAB tuner and dual-zone air, a touch screen infotainment system, rear legroom and a humongous 590-litre boot. The Octavia vRS is available in estate body styles as well. We also expect features like paddle shifters, traction control and ESP to be standard on this car.
Engine
The vRS version is powered by two engine options; petrol and a diesel. The petrol motor is a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 220bhp power hitting 100kph in 6.8 seconds. The diesel engine is also a turbocharged 2.0-litre unit that develops 184bhp power and 380Nm torque aiding a 100kmph drag time in 8.1 seconds. Both engines will have six speed manual gear box. Skoda has turned the suspension and directed the handling to focus on the sportier side.
Price
The current Octavia is available with 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre petrol engines along with a 2.0-litre diesel. Prices range from Rs 14.25 Lakh to Rs 19.75 lakh. The performance sedan may come to India sometime soon, but we will have to wait for longer than expected. Skoda Octavia vRS is expected to a tough competition to Audi A4 and Volkswagen Passat if priced and positioned correctly for Indian market.