Voracious vRS: first pictures

Skoda has revealed the first pictures of its hot new Octavia vRS hatchback and estate, due to arrive in UK showrooms at the end of this year.

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Skoda has revealed the first pictures of its hot new Octavia vRS hatchback and estate, due to arrive in UK showrooms at the end of this year.

The new vRS will become the fastest and most powerful production car in Skoda’s 100-year history, when it is officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Using the same 197bhp 2.0 Turbo FSI engine found in the latest VW Golf GTI, the vRS promises scorching performance at bargain prices.

The hatch will be a touch quicker than the estate version, with 0-62mph times of 7.3 and 7.5 seconds respectively. We expect the hatchback’s fuel economy to be similar to the Golf GTI’s combined figure, at around 35mpg.

Skoda has opted for fairly subtle styling tweaks on the vRS, including a deeper front spoiler and revised grille, small rear spoiler, twin exhausts and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but are likely to be slightly higher than the outgoing vRS models, which cost £13,990 in hatch form and £14,690 for the estate. We expect the new hatchback to be priced around £15,000 at launch, which would still significantly undercut hot hatch rivals from Renault, Vauxhall and VW.