People usually associate the name Skoda with a family sedan that focuses more on fuel economy and not so much on performance. Those people are going to get the shock of their lives as Skoda is preparing a special Octavia vRS sedan for the world famous Bonneville Speed Week on August 13-20, 2011.
The Octavia vRS was built to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its iconic vRS performance flagship badge and to achieve breaking the 200 mph barrier. Skoda has done this with the Octavia’s standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI petrol engine by swapping the standard turbo with a specially designed turbocharger from respected component firm Garret. Adding this turbocharger has dramatically altered the vehicle’s output by adding a tremendous 380bhp and 170 lb-ft of torque for a total of 600 HP and 26-28 PSI of boost pressure.
As if the engine updates weren’t enough, Skoda has also spiffed up the exterior of the Octavia with some aerodynamic updates. The vehicle has received a new sub-frame which houses a race prepared intercooler, a reinforced roll cage, a parachute, fire extinguishers, and a window cage. It was then lowered almost 80mm closer to the ground.
Robert Hazelwood, Director for Škoda UK, said: "The 10-year relationship between the UK and the vRS badge has been extremely successful. This is a landmark anniversary and going to Bonneville is a fitting tribute." He adds, "It’s an ambitious project which might surprise a few people, but Škoda is all about engineering excellence and this car is pushing that to new limits."
UPDATE 08/16/11: We already said that Skoda is the one of the last brands that you’ll associate with breaking 200 mph, but this Octavia vRS proved us wrong in a hurry when it recently hit a top speed of 202.15 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The event corresponded with the brand’s UK branch celebrating the 10th anniversary of the vRS performance badge. Kudos to Skoda for the remarkable achievement; maybe next time they’ll start producing supercars that can routinely eclipse 200 mph on any given day. Just a thought.
Skoda is the third brand from the Volkswagen Group who has announced its presence at the Wörthersee tuning event taking place from May 12–15, 2010. At Wörthersee, the company will present two customized models: the Fabia RS+ & the Octavia RS+. Following right behind those presentations will also be two Fabia Super 2000 race cars.
The first one, the Fabia RS+, features a two-color combination. The green color bears reference to Skoda’s rally achievements and the unique connection with the S2000 while the grey color represents the vehicle’s sporty expression and simplicity. These colors are combined with design details, black spoilers and diffusers, and air exhausts on the bonnet.
The second one, the Octavia RS+ features the same two-color combination, black-tinted headlamps and integrated LED-based taillights, as well as new materials and colors used in the interior.
The two Fabia Super 2000 race cars will be presented by Mattias Kahle, who is supported by Škoda Auto Deutschland, and Raimund Baumschlager of BRR (private team). The Fabia Super 2000 features a two-liter atmospheric four-cylinder petrol engine, a six-speed sequential transmission, and a four-wheel drive system with three mechanical differentials. It made its racing debut in the 2009 Monte Carlo Rally.
Press release after the jump.
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Skoda revealed today the facelift version for the Octavia Scout, the third and the flagship model in the Scout line-up (next to the Roomster Scout and the Fabia Scout).
It features a redesigned radiator mask and bold headlamps, fog lights with the Corner function, a new metallic paint (Rosso Brunello).
It is powered by a choice of two engines: petrol 1.8 TSI/158 hp (EU 5) and diesel 2.0 TDI PD DPF/138 hp[ (EU 4) - combined with a six-speed mechanical transmission provide satisfactory performance levels.
Press release after the jump.
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Skoda revealed today the facelift version of the Octavia RS sports-tuned sedan and station wagon.
The new model features a redesigned front mask with an RS logo and bold headlamps with xenon units, wider and bolder induction aperture, fog lamps with the Corner function and LED lamps for daytime lighting, a new metallic paint (Anthracite) and 18“ Neptune wheels.
The engine line-up includes a 2.0 TS that delivers 197 hp and a 2.0 TDI CR diesel engine with 167 hp. Both models are mated to a six-speed manual twin-clutch DSG transmission.
Press release after the jump.
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Skoda unveiled at the Paris Auto Show the updated version of the Octavia. Although the Czech automaker does not sell to the U.S., they are owned by the Volkswagen Group, so its fun to see what comes out of the VW parts bin. In the case of the Octavia, it shares most of its parts with cars like the VW Golf and Jetta as well as a few from the Audi A3.
The 2009 Octavia includes some minor tweaks including newly shaped headlamps, radiator grille and a one-piece bumper. The revision to the rear is mainly about new tail lamp covers and a dynamic bumper with integrated cat eyes.
Škoda’s rummage through VW parts continues with the engines including the 1.4-liter TSI engine and turbocharged 1.4 and 1.8-liter gas engines. The higher end powertrains can be combined with a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic DSG transmission. Although Škoda mainly sells rebadged Volkswagen products, the benefit comes in idea that it is VW products at usually a lower price.
Press release after the jump.
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