Skoda Octavia vRS 230: Review

Fastest Octavia ever hits UK roads

Skoda’s special-edition Octavia vRS 230: the fastest incarnation ever of the stalwart hot hatch

5 November 2015

A value-for-money family car that’s also a track-day demon - is that even possible?

Well, yes it is! Welcome to Skoda’s special-edition Octavia vRS 230, the fastest incarnation ever of the stalwart hot hatch.

The vRS’s ‘best of both worlds’ character is well established, but it’s never been as well honed as in this £26,150 newcomer.

The Skoda shares more than a strand of DNA with its venerable VW Golf GTI cousin

The Skoda shares more than a strand of DNA with its venerable VW Golf GTI cousin – in fact, the MQB chassis is the same, the 2.0-litre petrol turbo is similar, and in this guise it has an electronic differential as well, albeit more softly tuned for a better street/track compromise.

Only the GTI’s adaptive dampers are missed off the spec list, but then, the Octavia’s price differential has to be accounted for somewhere.

The TSI engine and exhaust system have been tuned to deliver 10bhp over the standard model

There are certainly few other indications that this is the VW Group’s ‘bargain’ hot hatch, as the trick bits come thick and, appropriately, fast.

The TSI engine and exhaust system have been tuned to deliver 10bhp over the standard model, boosting output to 227bhp and 258lb ft.

The extra power is more than hinted at by the vRS 230’s muscular, mildly aggressive exterior styling complete with gloss-black grille, spoiler and exhaust trim.

It’s all nicely complemented by the red brake calipers and 19-inch alloy rims.

The red is picked up inside the cabin with bright stitching on the electrically operated leather sports seats

The red is picked up inside the cabin with bright stitching on the electrically operated leather sports seats, and extra standard kit also includes sat-nav and a lap timer.

That latter comes in handy in a car that can shrug off its family-friendly nature so easily on the track, with a 6.7-sec 0-62mph time (0.1 seconds faster than the standard model) and 155mph top speed. It’s not quite as fast as the lighter GTI, but still offers plenty of performance thrills.

Well specced, well built and well sorted on street and track; the vRS 230 belies its value status

The e-diff keeps things exciting though quick corners, as it can direct all the torque to only one wheel when required. The Octavia’s free-revving nature and excellent manners make it an easy, predictable car to drive fast, and it demands few compromises in day-to-day use.

This latest offering makes an excellent buy

Well specced, well built and well sorted on street and track; the vRS 230 belies its value status. Today the brand exhibits a classy feel it couldn’t dream of even a decade ago, and this latest offering makes an excellent buy.

You can even get it in super-practical estate form. An impressive all-rounder.

Skoda Octavia vRS 230

On sale: Now

Price: £26,150

Engine: 4cyl, 1984cc, turbocharged, petrol

Power: 227bhp @ 4700-6200rpm

Torque: 258lb ft @ 1500-4600rpm

Gearbox: 6spd manual

Kerbweight: 1445kg

0-62mph: 6.7sec

Top speed: 155mph

Economy: 45.6mpg (combined)

CO2/tax band: 142g/km, 23%

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Skoda Octavia vRS 230

Skoda Octavia vRS 230: Review

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