Racy new face for Octavia vRS

By Nick Gibbs

24th April 2009

Czech this out – Skoda’s family firecracker has been given a fresh face. The Octavia vRS has been brought into line with the rest of the range, which was updated at the end of last year.

The vRS hatchback and load-lugger now benefit from the new look, with a swept-back grille and headlights.

With a 127mm ride height, the Octavia vRS sits lower than the standard car, and also features new LED daytime running lights and foglamp surrounds. Both the fog and headlights – which are available with xenon bulbs for the first time – can now be fitted with optional adaptive systems that turn the beam into corners for greater night-time vision.

The vRS is powered by a choice of a 200bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo or a 170bhp 2.0 diesel unit. Overall weight reductions result in better acceleration figures than on the present model, with the former variant hitting the 0-60mph benchmark in around seven seconds. Meanwhile, the oil-burner will improve on the current 8.2 seconds. Each model is available with either a manual or a DSG twin-clutch gearbox.

Also wearing the new face is the Scout off-road estate, which gets a redesigned front grille and new headlamps, as well as reshaped rear lights. But the makeover isn’t purely cosmetic: the off-road estate has a clever four-wheel-drive system that can send up to 86 per cent of the torque to a single wheel for better traction.

Along with its protective cladding, the car rides 179mm above the ground to provide improved clearance. Engines remain the same – a 160bhp 1.8-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol and 140bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel will be offered.

Both models are available to order now – and the great news is that they sport pre-facelift prices. The vRS starts from £18,160 for the manual petrol hatch, while the Scout costs from £18,750 for the petrol variant.