Category Archives: Skoda

Estate/Sport Tourer, Performance, Skoda

Skoda Octavia vRS: A family-friendly firecracker

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Skoda Octavia vRS Estate

By Bill McCarthy

It’s been a few years since my first encounter with the Skoda Octavia vRS, a car that left quite an impression. Fast forward to today, and the Octavia is the longest-serving model in the modern Skoda lineup. This is no surprise, considering its blend of impressive performance, sharp handling, and family-friendly features, especially in its estate form.

Longevity through quality

The Octavia name has been around for six decades, and the latest iteration is among the best in its segment and offers:

  • Spacious interior: Perfect for families and long trips.
  • State-of-the-art technology: Keeping up with modern demands.
  • Excellent practicality: Ideal for everyday use.

The first Octavia vRS I drove had a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a modest, relatively, 170bhp. In contrast, today’s model boasts a huge 265PS, making it the most powerful version yet. This evolution showcases Skoda’s commitment to performance while maintaining practicality.

Sporty yet understated

The design of the Octavia vRS is sporty without being overly flashy. Key features include:

  • New sports exhausts and black tailpipes
  • Restyled front and rear bumpers
  • Aggressive black grille surround
  • Black roof rails (standard on the tourer)

The lowered suspension and striking 19-inch anthracite alloy wheels complete the sporty, even predatory look that many buyers seek in an estate vehicle.

Performance and efficiency

Tweaked for 2024, the heart of the Octavia vRS is a 2.0 TSI petrol engine paired with a seven-speed DSG transmission. This combination not only delivers rapid pace but also decent fuel economy.

Interior comfort and technology

Inside, it is smart yet minimalist, featuring:

  • High-quality fixtures
  • Sporty touches like alloy pedals and a vRS multi-function steering wheel
  • Sports upholstery with red stitching and the vRS logo

The central 13” infotainment system acts as the brain of the car, complemented by a 10” Virtual Cockpit that provides real-time information. Connectivity is enhanced with AI functionality, including ChatGPT integrated into the Laura voice assistant, and the updated MyŠkoda app for improved car-smartphone connectivity.

On the Road

When it comes to performance, the vRS can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 6.5 seconds, making it only 0.1 seconds slower than the hatch version. The driving experience is dynamic, stable, and rapid, even on long sweeping bends, thanks to the electrohydraulic differential system that enhances traction and handling.

For those seeking an even more engaging drive, the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) option allows drivers to select from Normal, Comfort, Sport, or Individual modes for tailored chassis settings.

Comfort and efficiency

Despite its sporty nature, the ride remains comfortable, as proven during extended motorway runs. It returned impressive economy figures in the late 30s mpg, getting close to the official WLTP economy figure of 40.3 mpg during often high-speed motorway driving.

One of the standout features is boot space. With 640 litres available, it expands to a whopping 1,555 litres with the rear seats down, making it an excellent choice for families and those needing extra cargo space.

The revised Simply Clever features offer added practical value, including a storage box for rear passengers’ items, and a tablet holder that is now available for sports seats. Additionally, the ice scraper located in the fuel filler flap and the umbrella in the front door are now made from sustainable materials, with the umbrella remaining part of the available equipment.

Better safety

Safety is a priority, equipped with up to 10 airbags and a full range of safety features including advanced attention and drowsiness systems and emergency braking.  Parking is simplified with intelligent parking systems.

Opinion

The Octavia vRS has evolved into a desirable vehicle with the estate balancing performance, practicality, and modern technology. It will be interesting to see where the electric vehicle revolution takes it.

Factfile 

  • Skoda Octavia vRS Estate 2.0 TSI 265PS DSG
  • Price: £40,390
  • Engine: 265PS, two litre petrol engine, driving front wheels via a 7-speed DSG automatic  transmission 
  • Max Speed: 155 mph  
  • 0-62 mph: 6.5 seconds  
  • Combined MPG: 40.1
  • Insurance Group: 29  
  • CO2 Emissions: 161 g/km  
  • BiK Rating: 37%  
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles  

Electric/hybrid, Family hatchback, Motoring, Saloon, Skoda

Skoda Superb: Comfort meets innovation

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  • The latest Superb stands out in the large saloon/hatchback market with its spacious and comfortable interior, now 43mm longer. 
  • It offers excellent fuel efficiency, including hybrid options with a 75-mile electric-only range. Featuring a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit and a 13-inch touchscreen, it starts at over £38k. 
  • The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine delivers great economy and refinement.
  • There is excellent luggage space provides 645 litres (expandable to 1,795 litres) and advanced safety features.

Superb Hatch e-TEC

By Bill McCarthy

It’s a tribute to the quality of Skoda products that they are still producing a large saloon/hatchback in a market dominated by the SUV/Crossover.

Škoda currently has one of the newest model line-ups with 80 per cent of the range recently updated.

And although the name is ambitious, the latest, bigger, Superb is an excellent car. Huge, now 43mm longer, comfortable and for the size of the vehicle offering fantastic economy.

It has a range of engine options with the premiere last year of mild-hybrid technology and plug-in hybrid with an electric only range of around 75 miles. These are in addition to two 2.0 TSI petrol engines and two 2.0 TDI diesels.

The sleek silhouette offers better aerodynamics, while inside it even roomier and uses sustainable material.

In addition the infotainment is linked AI-based ChatGPT via the the voice assistant Laura.

The mild hybrid e-Tec driven here delivered just short of 60mpg from the mild hybrid power unit. Well up on the official WLTP figure of around 51mpg.

The range on a full tank was showing in excess of 700 miles. A bit of electrification, but no range anxiety whatsoever.

It is a smart, sleek handsome car with 18-inch alloy wheels on this model, neat decorative door sills, slim LED headlights with cornering function and refashioned rear light clusters, rear privacy glass and clever puddle lights projecting the Skoda brand. 

The dark chrome styling includes front grille surrounds and roof rails and door handles with ambient lighting.

The interior is premium, with  high-end materials and solid fixtures and fittings more often seen in executive class. Bags of head and legroom, with perforated leather fully adjustable electrically operated seats

The cabin itself is light, airy with three seated in relative comfort in the rear with the armrest folded. Another classy touch is the ambient lighting throughout offering a relaxing environment.

Centrepiece is the 10.25 inch virtual cockpit familiar on VW brands mated with a 13 inch touchscreen. which controls major functions like navigation, infotainment and Bluetooth connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

In typical Skoda style, it is packed with standard kit, including the usual array of electric goodies and creature comforts like multi-function steering wheel, dual zone climate control, heated and powered door mirrors, powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensor, headlight washers and privacy glass, plus a host of other goodies.

At just over  £38k for the tested model you are acquiring a premium vehicle that would cost substantially more if it carried a different badge on the boot or grille.

The 1.5 litre turbo petrol unit is combined with a small electric motor which aids fuel economy, but can also boost power.

Mated to a seven-speed DSG auto box, it delivers excellent performance, hitting 60  in 9.2 seconds and when switched to sport mode and using the steering column paddles, is extremely lively.

There are three driving modes, electric, hybrid and sport. 

 The motorway is where the car feels particularly at home, cruising with ease while the cabin is well protected from road and engine noise. Handling is good for such a big car and the standard stability control ensures the ride is comfortable and smooth.

In practical terms, the boot is huge at 645 litres and up 30 litres on its predecessor and rising to 1,795 with the rear seats down.

 For safety most of the boxes are ticked with a comprehensive lift of active and passive features including front, side and curtain airbags, plus a driver’s knee airbag, driver fatigue sensor and electronic stability and traction control systems, plus lane departure, blind spot and cross traffic alerts.

Always innovative, Skoda Simply Clever features add value and offers an umbrella in the door frame, LED torch and a compact screen cleaner. It works with cleaning fluid and microfibre cloth ensure that any dirt or annoying fingerprints are completely removed from the infotainment screen.

Skoda has been going from strength to strength – it’s obvious why. But now it is literally on a charge.

Factfile

  •  Superb Hatch SE L 1.5 TSi e-TEC 150PS DSG
  • Price: £ 38,320 – (with options £41,010)
  • Mechanical: 1498cc, 150PS, four-cylinder  mild hybrid petrol engine driving front wheels via six-speed DSG auto transmission
  • Maximum speed: 139mph
  • Acceleration: 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds
  • Economy: 51-52 mpg
  • Insurance group: 27
  • CO2 emissions: 124-126g/km
  • Warranty: Three years/ 60,000 miles