Octavia vRS Mk1
WE begin with the original: the Mk1 Octavia vRS. Few people expected the arrival of a high-performance, motorsport-inspired Skoda in 2001, yet this was the brief for the brand’s first modern performance model.
Today, the Octavia vRS looks familiar – mundane, even – but with a purposeful edge unlike any of its forebears, which describes the driving experience to a tee. The cabin gives little indication of the car’s sporting pretence, aside from supportive front seats and a vRS gear knob. Otherwise it’s a masterclass in turn-of-the-century black and grey sobriety. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; there are no bright screens glaring back at you, and large buttons remain far easier to use than a touchscreen. Here, fewer features mean it’s easier to focus on the driving experience.
Wiggle the gearlever, note its springy action across the gate, and fire up the motor. It’s the same 180bhp, 1.8-litre turbocharged unit from the Mk4 VW Golf GTI, and it sounds particularly subdued here. The steering demands more effort than expected, but it exudes more tactility than you might think. It’s a pleasant blend of fun and usability, with a supple ride, decent refinement, communicative controls and compact dimensions. It’s an appealing package today, so no wonder it proved popular as a new car.
At the time, this was the fastest production Skoda ever, and happily, when you push harder, it still delivers. The engine is flexible with a strong mid-range providing a decent turn of speed. It’s not vocal, and there’s little use in chasing the 6,500rpm red line, but its undramatic delivery pairs well with the Octavia’s measured attitude.
The chassis shines brighter still. The steering lacks ultimate feedback, but there’s still plenty of it, and it’s fun, something the sub-1,400kg kerbweight contributes to.