People usually associate the name Skoda->ke82 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->ke1949 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.
2011 Skoda Octavia vRS
- Make: Array
- Model: 2011 Skoda Octavia vRS
- Horsepower: 600
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
.