Sporty vRS diesel for Octavia

• 170bhp 2.0-litre priced from £18,370
• Hatch hits 62mph in 8.5sec
• More than 13mpg more economical than petrol

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Skoda's sporty Octavia vRS is now available with diesel power.

The 170bhp 2.0-litre engine brings the price of the hatchback to £18,370 and the estate to £19,220, £845 more than the 197bhp petrol-powered vRS.

While the newcomer can't match the 7.3sec 0-62mph time of the petrol car, the diesel hatch still covers the sprint in 8.5sec and the estate in 8.6sec. Top speeds drop from 148mph to 140mph in the hatch and 139mph in the diesel.

The diesel vRS returns 48.7mpg on the combined cycle which is 12.9mpg better than the petrol. Lower carbon dioxide emissions also mean it's cheaper to run as a company car, despite its higher list price.

A higher-rate taxpayer will pay nearly £20 less each month with a bill of £127.

Specification matches the petrol vRS with climate control, CD player, alloy wheels, traction control and driver, passenger and side airbags all fitted as standard.