New Skoda Octavia vRS 4x4 2016 review - pictures

The Skoda Octavia vRS now has another compelling feather in its cap - the addition of four-wheel-drive.

Consider this the best bits of all Octavias - the powerful and frugal 2.0-litre diesel from the vRS, the four-wheel-drive system from the Scout, and the six-speed DSG gearbox from the rest of the range.

The Octavia vRS 4x4 is available as an even more capacious estate for just £1,600 extra - but the hatchback is immensely practical anyway.

The Octavia vRS is the only fast diesel hatchback with four-wheel-drive - the Ford Focus ST diesel and Golf GTD are both front-wheel-drive.

The six-speed DSG automatic keeps things smooth, and keeps the diesel in its low-rev sweet spot.

Economy is slightly down on the two-wheel-drive model, with economy of 57.7mpg and emissions of 129g/km claimed, compared to 60.1mpg and 124g/km.

Even on the icy track we tested the car on, the four-wheel-drive system shuffled power between the axles seamlessly.

Four-wheel-drive also benefits in acceleration - with more traction shaving three tenths of a second off the 0-62mph time of the standard diesel Octavia vRS.