Hot Octavia now with diesel power

By Phil McNamara

Motor Industry

18 August 2006 09:01

A grunty, 170bhp diesel engine will join Skoda's high performance vRS range in September.

The engine will be available in the Octavia hatch and estate, priced at £18,370 and £19,200 respectively. The 2.0-litre TDI kicks out 258lb ft, more twist action than a BMW 330i. The 0-62mph sprint is seen off in 8.5sec, but the vRS diesel still returns 48.7mpg. And with just 157g/km of carbon dioxide emitted, the Octavia vRS will fall into the low 21 percent tax band for UK company car drivers. Climate control, CD player, alloys and six airbags are standard.

By Phil McNamara