Quarter century of models shaped brand’s identity

ONE of the most successful drives I have experienced over the years was in a Škoda Octavia vRS Hatch I took to the Lake District.

The trip was memorable for two reasons: one was the weather, which was a burning, hot sunny week in July, which I understand can be rare in the Lakes.

The second reason was because the car I took to Cumbria was a Škoda Octavia vRS, plug-in hybrid.

Frankly, I looked upon the idea of driving a plug-in hybrid as an over-fussy way of fuelling a car. Yet in this instance, it worked a treat.

The miles per gallon (petrol) the Škoda achieved was astounding simply by keeping the electric battery (notionally with a small range) topped up each night and letting the car’s computer do the rest in hybrid mode during the day.

I was reminded of this trip with the news that this year, Škoda is celebrating 25 years of vRS in the UK.

Škoda says the occasion celebrates “a quarter century of performance models that have shaped the brand’s modern identity”.

Since its introduction, vRS — standing for “victory rally sport” — draws from more than a century of motorsport heritage.

Anyone who has driven an Octavia vRS will know there is a certain joy in driving such a car for performance and handling in what is essentially a family-oriented car.

From early competition cars, such as the 966 Supersport, through to the 180/200 RS and 130 RS, Škoda has a great sporting pedigree.

This continues today with rally success with the Fabia R5 and the latest 2025 Fabia RS Rally2.

This rallying success has influenced the engineering prowess and real-world capability of Škoda’s road-going vRS models.

The launch of the Octavia vRS Mk1 in 2001 marked a turning point for Škoda in the UK, signalling the return of the RS nameplate (renamed vRS for the UK).

Powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine, it was the most powerful, fastest and most expensive production Škoda of its time, capable of reaching 146mph.

In 2003, Škoda introduced the Fabia vRS, adopting a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine at a time when rivals relied on high-revving petrol power.

The Fabia vRS delivered strong real-world performance alongside fuel economy of up to 53.3mpg.

The second-generation Octavia vRS from 2005 built on early success with increased refinement and performance. Offered as both a hatchback and estate, the Mk2 vRS broadened the appeal of the badge and continued to combine performance with everyday usability.

This generation also delivered one of vRS’s notable moments when a specially prepared Octavia set a 227.080mph 2.0 litre forced-induction land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2011, to mark the 10th anniversary of vRS.

Launched in 2010, the second-generation Fabia vRS moved to petrol power, featuring a technically advanced 1.4-litre engine. Paired with a seven-speed DSG transmission, it accelerated from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds.

The third-generation Octavia vRS marked a significant step forward, offering the widest range of body styles, powertrains and drivetrains in the model’s history.

The introduction of the Kodiaq vRS demonstrated the adaptability of the vRS concept, applying performance engineering to a seven-seat SUV.

The fourth-generation Octavia vRS expanded the badge’s remit further, with increased choice, more power and new technology.

Customers really had their choice of vRS, with petrol and diesel (including manual and DSG options, plus front- or all-wheel drive choices) and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Octavia vRS iV (the model I was driving in the Lakes) combined a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver 245PS and 400Nm, alongside an all-electric range of up to 38 miles.

This marked a key transition point for vRS, demonstrating how electrification could enhance performance.

The Octavia vRS Mk4 updated in 2025, introducing a series of focused and purposeful enhancements. Central to these updates was a revised 2.0-litre TSI engine, now producing 265PS, a gain of 20PS, along with 370Nm of torque.

The vRS also gained a newly developed sports exhaust as standard, reinforcing its performance credentials while preserving the model’s everyday usability.

Enyaq vRS and Enyaq Coupé vRS marked Škoda’s move into fully electric vRS performance.

Positioning the badge at the forefront of the brand’s electric strategy, they feature dual-motors, all-wheel drive, and a 0-62mph acceleration time of just 5.5 seconds — becoming the most powerful production Škoda models ever at launch.

Instant torque delivery, combined with bespoke chassis tuning, uprated brakes and advanced vehicle dynamics systems, ensured performance without compromising the space and practicality expected of a Škoda SUV.