- 25 years of Skoda vRS
- First vRS model launched in 2001 - the Octavia vRS Mk1
- vRS stands for ‘victory rally sport’
- It is to Skoda what ‘GTI’ means for VW
- Lease Skoda vRS models with Select right now
It’s been a quarter of a century since Skoda launched its first sporty vRS model - and here’s ten of the best from the last 25 years.
Since 2001, Skoda has slapped a ‘vRS’ badge on its hottest, most performance-laden vehicles.
It began with Octavia vRS Mk1, which was underpinned by a 1.8-litre petrol engine with a relatively modest output of 180 PS.
We then saw the game-changing Fabia vRS, which opted for a torque-happy 1.9-litre diesel mill when all other competitors were going with high-revving petrol units.
Fundamentally, the vRS pathway is a way for Skoda to channel its international rallying successes into real-world, road-going cars.
The name vRS does, after all, stand for ‘victory rally sport’.
Most of all, says Skoda, those three letters are about ‘accessible performance… cars that deliver genuine pace and driver engagement, while retaining the space, practicality and value for which Skoda is known’.
There are vRS models to lease right now - the Elroq vRS, Octavia vRS, Enyaq vRS, and the family-friendly Kodiaq vRS.
It’s also worth pointing out that you don’t necessarily need to choose a vRS to enjoy sporty Skoda performance - check out our review of the new Skoda Fabia 130, a hot-ish hatchback that promises some fun, affordable thrills.
Octavia vRS Mk1 (2001–2006)
The launch of the Octavia vRS Mk1 in 2001 signalled a return of the RS nameplate (renamed vRS for the UK). Powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 180 PS, it was the most powerful, fastest and most expensive production Skoda of its time, capable of reaching 146 mph. It also boasted a chassis fine-tuned by Skoda Motorsport alongside a properly practical 580-litre boot.
Fabia vRS Mk1 (2003–2007)
Rally-bred performance and wallet-friendly fuel economy? Yes please - and the original Fabia vRS was an absolutely stonking machine. A 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine produced 130 PS and a class-leading 310 Nm of torque. You also got up to 53.3 mpg. That torque and a light weight made it a joy to drive, particularly on UK roads. It was practical, too - I can speak from personal experience that you could get a muddy mountain bike in the back of it!
Octavia vRS Mk2 (2005–2013)
The second-generation Octavia vRS offered more power and better refinement. A new 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine delivered 200 PS, while the later introduction of a 170 PS diesel offered even greater torque at 350 Nm. It was offered as both a hatchback and estate. A bespoke Octavia (producing 600 PS) also set a 227.080 mph 2.0 litre forced-induction land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2011.
Fabia vRS Mk2 (2010–2013)
In 2010, Skoda switched to petrol power for the second-gen Fabia vRS. It was a car not without its issues (you can read more about it here) but a 1.4-litre petrol engine produced 180 PS and the updated Fabia vRS could scamper from 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds.
Chassis revisions, sharper steering, firmer suspension and the introduction of the XDS electronic differential delivered a more engaging driving experience.
Octavia vRS Mk3 (2013–2020)
Petrol and diesel engines delivered up to 220 PS and 184 PS respectively, later joined by the higher performance vRS 230. Advanced chassis technologies, including multi-link rear suspension and integrated electronic differential systems, improved traction and control, while class-leading interior space ensured the Octavia vRS remained as practical as it was performance-focused.
Kodiaq vRS Mk1 (2019–2024)
Because school run machines don’t need to be boring. Initially powered by the most powerful diesel engine ever fitted to a production Skoda - a 2.0-litre biturbo unit producing 239 PS and 500 Nm – the all-wheel-drive Kodiaq vRS was a family car with the fun factor. It also notched a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for a seven-seat SUV.
Octavia vRS Mk4 (2020–present)
The fourth-generation Octavia vRS is available to lease right now in both hatchback and estate form. A revised 2.0-litre TSI engine produces 265 PS and 370 Nm of torque and also features a fresh sports exhaust as standard.
Kodiaq vRS Mk2 (2025-present)
Again, this is another vRS you can lease right now. It’s all-wheel drive, gets the same 265 PS of power as the Octavia vRS and it’s also a proper 7-seater! Acceleration from 0-62mph goes by in a sprightly 6.4 seconds.
Enyaq vRS and Enyaq Coupé vRS (2023–present)
Enjoy electric performance with this battery-powered Enyaq duo. Dual-motors, all-wheel drive, and outputs of up to 340 PS lead to a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 5.5 seconds.
In 2023, the Enyaq vRS achieved two Guinness World Records on ice (longest continuous vehicle drift on ice, longest ice drift by an electric vehicle at a staggering 4.568 miles!).
Elroq vRS (2025–present)
The Elroq is Skoda’s award-winning, medium size electric SUV. And in vRS form, it’s even more tempting. Two electric motors generate 340 PS via all-wheel drive and the Elroq is the fastest accelerating car in Skoda’s current line-up (0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds). Remarkably, the Elroq vRS can still travel close to 340 miles between charges.
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