Skoda Octavia vRS (2001-2005) review

The original vRS and also the most powerful Skoda ever upon launch, built to commemorate the Octavia’s exploits in the WRC.

Its racing career began in 1999 to… not much success. But by the time 2001 came around - and this car launched - the five-door hatch had climbed from a seventh-placed finish in its debut season to fifth, and the Czech marque wanted to simmer those learnings into a road-going version.

It signalled a return to the ‘RS’ (Rally Sport) badge that was worn so confidently by Skoda’s sportier models in the Seventies and Eighties. Though this was changed to vRS (Victory Rally Sport) for the UK market, because of copyright claims from… You Guessed Who. Most importantly for customers, it provided a constant reminder that they owned a car which very much found a place in the grandest (and muddiest) stage of them all. Literally.

What’s under the bonnet?

The same Volkswagen-derived 1.8-litre 20-valve turbo four-pot shared by so many other cars at the time - chiefly the Mk4 Golf GTI. Here, it sends 178bhp/173lb ft to the front wheels through a chunky five-speed manual. Result? 0-62mph in 7.8s en route to a vmax of 144. OK, that’s not going to set your pants alight, but there’s more.

Skoda’s motorsport division retuned the chassis and bolted some lower springs to the suspension - itself comprised of a MacPherson strut front and torsion beam-rigidified rear. Given the vRS weighs just 1.3 tonnes - yes, we’re side-eyeing *you*, modern hot saloons - you certainly feel those changes when you give it some welly.

Go on then, what’s it like to drive?

Not all that spritely by today’s standards, but where the vRS pays dividends is in how involved it gets you. You need to work to get that thick, heavy gear lever to slot - the throw is short, but it requires some muscle. You need to keep your foot planted for it to get to its most comfortable power band of between 3,000 and 5,000rpm. But put in the effort, and the Mk1 comes together in sweet little lumps.

Take the noise as an example: when we say it has a turbo, we mean it’s a proper turbo - one that spools, shrieks and flutters to your heart’s content. Coast past the early bit of lag, build the boost up and lay off the throttle right before a corner and you hear that forced induction sing the song of its people quite fantastically. More details over on the driving tab…

Why does it look so similar to a standard Mk1 Octavia?

Because that’s the point. The goal was to take those button up, sensible lines and give it the tiniest splattering of tequila. Look closely and you’ll spot a subtle rear spoiler and straight-cut alloys; chunkier bumpers and Skoda’s rally green painted brake calipers. You get stainless steel finishers on the exhaust too. It’s a neat package that doesn’t shout midlife crisis, and simply wants to get on with the task of being a sensible saloon with a rowdy streak to call forth when the time and place deems fit.

Was it a success?

Evidently so. Skoda sold 1,457 Mk1 vRSs between 2001 and 2005, and though that may not seem groundbreaking by today’s standards, it was a strong showing for a car that was only meant to help Skoda find its feet in an already dense segment.

People bought into the philosophy: the vRS cost just £15,535 when new, which was comparable to a first-generation Citroen C5 at the time. In terms of value for money, very few products would offer you as much practicality and fun rolled into one hunky-faced package at this price.

Given we recently tested the facelifted Mk4 vRS, we’d say its great-grandfather achieved exactly what it set out to do.

Considering you can pick up a high-miler for between two and three grand these days, we’ve absolutely no complaints. The Mk1 vRS is an instantly likeable car: it’s simple, quiet and comfortable when need be, but has enough bandwidth in its performance to put a very cheeky grin on your face. We’re not surprised these things have gained a small but devout following over the years; it’s honest, bang-for-buck motoring at its best.