Czech car maker Skoda revealed a new vRS version of its Octavia family car and it is the hottest of its kind. They had a bit of help from parent company Volkswagen in making this car. And by a bit we actually mean they gave it the 2.0 liter turbo engine from the new Golf GTI.

Thanks to this sophisticated engine, the new Octavia vRS has 220 PS, which translates into a 0 to 100 km/h spring time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 154 mph or 250 km/h. Those who are only interested in the looks and don’t care much about the performance can choose the diesel engine available for this car. The 2.0 liter oil-burner is good for 180 PS and takes 8.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, but if you are fancy you can opt for a six-speed DSG. Both models come with sport suspension system, consisting of MacPherson struts up front and multi-link geometry out back, which is lower than the standard system by 12mm, and an XDS electronic locking differential with electronic stability program. All this means, on paper at least, that the Octavia vRS should handle pretty decently.

With the new vRS, Skoda has also put a lot effort into visually differentiating it over normal models. The car features a sports grille, vRS badge, distinctive honeycomb air intakes, vRS specific front bumper with fog lights, LED daytimers, rear diffuser and spoiler. The vRS version looks, on the whole, bolder and sportier than the normal Octavia thanks to its wider tracks. It also has new 17”, 18” and 19” wheel designs, which help the looks and make room for the large brake discs.

The Octavia has lost none of its practicality in its quest to become sportier. There is still a whole host of cubbyholes and storage spaces inside thecar, and you still get a long list of safety and convenience features. To name a few, we can mention driver fatigue detection, automatic brake intervention, lane assist, 9 airbags, adaptive cruise control, road sign detection, automatic parking assist, and so on. This car really is the best of both worlds.

Hot Skodas have always been a great choice for those who were looking for a fun and engaging drive without compromising the practicality, and on a budget. But they never looked really exciting. The 2014 Octavia vRS not only comes with more of the same good features, it also looks quite cool and sporty. Skoda has really nailed it this time.