Canceled Czech: Skoda ushers out the Octavia vRS with a limited edition
Click above to view the Skoda Octavia vRS Limited Edition in high resolution
A Volkswagen brand just wouldn't be a Volkswagen brand without its own performance label (or two). VW itself has the GTI and R badges, Audi has S and RS, Seat has FR and Cupra, and so on. In fact, aside from Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini, Skoda seems like the only one with only a single-tier performance designation. It's called the vRS, and it is currently used on the Octavia to create what could be the ultimate sleeper: a mild-mannered Czech family sedan packing a bit of a punch. And with the new Octavia already prepared to hit the market, overseas buyers can expect to see a new sport version soon. But in the meantime, Skoda's giving the existing Octavia vRS, much beloved by its own cadre of enthusiasts, one last hurrah.
Called, predictably enough, the Octavia vRS Limited Edition, it comes in either 200 horsepower 2.0-liter TFSI or 170 hp 2.0-liter TDI diesel specs, in your choice of hatchback or wagon body-styles. Upgrades on the existing vRS include an Anthracite paintjob, 18-inch alloys, special leather interior, a three-spoke steering wheel, touch-screen infotainment unit and the requisite special badging, all for a £750 (around $1040 USD) premium over the standard vRS. Only 500 examples will be offered to UK customers before the new Octavia gets its turn. Press release after the jump and a trifecta of images in the gallery below.
Gallery: Skoda Octavia vRS Limited Edition
[Source: Skoda]
PRESS RELEASE
ŠKODA OFFERS MORE FOR YOUR MONEY WITH NEW LIMITED EDITION OCTAVIA vRS
* Exclusive run of 500 cars with unique production number
* Features Anthracite Grey metallic paint and multi-spoke limited edition 18" alloys
* Bespoke black & grey premium grade Italian leather sports interior
* Customers pay no VAT
Škoda is introducing the new Limited Edition Octavia vRS which is sure to draw the eye of motorists looking to get even more value for their money.
The exclusive 500 run of the performance model features a number of sporty additions and is based on re-aligned vRS with increased specification and upgrades for 2009.
The Octavia vRS Limited Edition, has a unique production number stitched onto the seat and offers over £1,900 worth of added equipment for an added cost of only £750, which includes:
* Bespoke design Italian leather seats
* Metallic paint
* Limited Edition 18" alloys
* New touch screen Bolero radio
* 3 spoke leather steering wheel
* New interior dash trim
* Maxi-dot computer
* Red and black limited edition badging on the rear
The car features Anthracite Grey metallic paint available for the first time on vRS, dynamic multi-spoke "limited edition" 18" alloys, while the Octavia's interior has been produced with bespoke design black and grey premium grade Italian leather sports seats.
As well as the improved specification, the Octavia vRS comes with dual zone climate control, cruise control and Bolero touch screen 6 CD auto changer as standard.
Warren Richards, Product Marketing Manager at Škoda comments: "The Octavia vRS is already astonishingly good and for a select number of drivers we've made it even better by creating this exclusive limited edition.
"The additional equipment represents outstanding value for money. Only 500 cars are available, so those looking for a stylish yet affordable driving experience should test drive the limited edition Octavia vRS today.
"We are also very pleased to announce that it will come with an unbelievable offer to kick start the New Year. All VAT on the car will be paid for the customer, ensuring the car is not only desirable but also highly affordable - an irresistible combination."
Prices start from £16,294.56 (with VAT paid) on the road with a choice of two engines 2.0 T FSI 200 bhp petrol in hatch or the 2.0 TDI CR 170 bhp with DPF in hatch or estate.
ŠKODA OFFERS MORE FOR YOUR MONEY WITH NEW LIMITED EDITION OCTAVIA vRS
* Exclusive run of 500 cars with unique production number
* Features Anthracite Grey metallic paint and multi-spoke limited edition 18" alloys
* Bespoke black & grey premium grade Italian leather sports interior
* Customers pay no VAT
Škoda is introducing the new Limited Edition Octavia vRS which is sure to draw the eye of motorists looking to get even more value for their money.
The exclusive 500 run of the performance model features a number of sporty additions and is based on re-aligned vRS with increased specification and upgrades for 2009.
The Octavia vRS Limited Edition, has a unique production number stitched onto the seat and offers over £1,900 worth of added equipment for an added cost of only £750, which includes:
* Bespoke design Italian leather seats
* Metallic paint
* Limited Edition 18" alloys
* New touch screen Bolero radio
* 3 spoke leather steering wheel
* New interior dash trim
* Maxi-dot computer
* Red and black limited edition badging on the rear
The car features Anthracite Grey metallic paint available for the first time on vRS, dynamic multi-spoke "limited edition" 18" alloys, while the Octavia's interior has been produced with bespoke design black and grey premium grade Italian leather sports seats.
As well as the improved specification, the Octavia vRS comes with dual zone climate control, cruise control and Bolero touch screen 6 CD auto changer as standard.
Warren Richards, Product Marketing Manager at Škoda comments: "The Octavia vRS is already astonishingly good and for a select number of drivers we've made it even better by creating this exclusive limited edition.
"The additional equipment represents outstanding value for money. Only 500 cars are available, so those looking for a stylish yet affordable driving experience should test drive the limited edition Octavia vRS today.
"We are also very pleased to announce that it will come with an unbelievable offer to kick start the New Year. All VAT on the car will be paid for the customer, ensuring the car is not only desirable but also highly affordable - an irresistible combination."
Prices start from £16,294.56 (with VAT paid) on the road with a choice of two engines 2.0 T FSI 200 bhp petrol in hatch or the 2.0 TDI CR 170 bhp with DPF in hatch or estate.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jake B 5:38PM (1/22/2009)
.02 liter TDI w/ 170 horsepower? SIGN ME UP!!!!!!!!! I would put one in my weed wacker if such a thing existed.
Reply
RWD 6:32PM (1/22/2009)
Yeah that's impressive, they have managed to tune that TDI to make 8,500 horsepower per liter!
wahooligan 6:32PM (1/22/2009)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
What the MkV Jetta SHOULD have looked like.
Reply
jjpg2000 6:33PM (1/22/2009)
Skoda's are about as exciting as Cabbage.
Reply
JDMlover 6:34PM (1/22/2009)
I dont see people killing to get one of these.....and that hp level does not help....
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P.V. 9:17PM (1/22/2009)
Let's see Toyota try to get those numbers out of those displacement engines, huh?
Anyway, this looks way too much like an old Jetta. I realize that Skoda is owned by VW, so does VW simply recycle its old high-end designs for its low-end brands in Europe (see also: SEAT Exeo vs. previous Audi A4)? Just wondering.
JDMlover 10:05PM (1/22/2009)
What does that have to do with anything?
A Camry will out run this......not even mention the IS-F
HeyHuub 2:53AM (1/23/2009)
It is the same platform as the MKV Golf/Jetta, only slightly bigger. The price of the 200hp version is about the same as that of the GTI, though the Octavia comes somewhat better equipped.
And Toyota doesn't sell anything in Europe that even comes close performance wise. Unless you count Lexus...
Mirko 3:08AM (1/23/2009)
@P.V.
" I realize that Skoda is owned by VW, so does VW simply recycle its old high-end designs for its low-end brands in Europe"
Skoda often gets platforms first - the Fabia is already on the platform of the next-gen Polo, for example.
My computer dealer drives an Octavia vRS. I see quite a lot of them on the road. It's basically a GTI station wagon for less money than a GTI.
I'd be very surprised to not see the RS making a comeback in a year or so.
Swede 6:19AM (1/23/2009)
JDMlover: A Camry? Discontinued a long time ago in Europe.
IS-F? I believe you are in need of a reality check.
P.V. 3:22PM (1/23/2009)
To all whom it may concern -
@JDMlover:
"I dont see people killing to get one of these.....and that hp level does not help...."
Are you sure? Again, this is a fairly popular car in Europe, and that hp level is much more than Toyota could ever muster out of a 4-cylinder [emphasis] these days [/emphasis].
"What does that have to do with anything?
A Camry will out run this......not even mention the IS-F"
The fact that you must compare this with the Camry/IS F (for all your Toyota fanboyishness, it's "IS F", not "IS-F" (no hyphen)) shows how pathetic Toyota is in terms of even reasonable performance. I would also recheck that claim about a Camry [emphasis] I4 [/emphasis] outrunning an Octavia vRS. And if the IS F is the only performance car Toyota can do, that's just too bad.
@Mirko:
"Skoda often gets platforms first - the Fabia is already on the platform of the next-gen Polo, for example.
My computer dealer drives an Octavia vRS. I see quite a lot of them on the road. It's basically a GTI station wagon for less money than a GTI.
I'd be very surprised to not see the RS making a comeback in a year or so."
I wasn't talking about the actual car platforms; I was only talking about the visible sheetmetal. While it may be true that the current Octavia uses the new Golf/Rabbit/Jetta platform, the sheetmetal seems recycled. Same goes for the SEAT Exeo vs. its platform vs. old Audi A4 sheetmetal.
Thank you.
alain 7:29PM (1/22/2009)
bentley: speed (i.e. continental gt speed)
lamborgihini: superleggera or LP (i.e. LP640, or gallardo superleggera)
and bugatti is already performance enough, its the fastest car in the whole line-up.
Reply
Kitko 5:36AM (1/23/2009)
This car is built on a VW Golf chassis, and it's one size too large for that. If you think that it drives well, forget it. HP and torque numbers may impress some of you guys (it's all VW underneath), but this car is about as nimble and sporty as a log cabin.
VW plant in my country makes Octavias... and Touaregs as well.
Reply
Eduardo 7:31AM (1/23/2009)
and the better thing it's the fact that the Octavia is... a hatchback!
Reply