The Skoda Octavia vRS comes in petrol, diesel or hybrid flavour

Back in early March (simpler times…) Skoda showed us the new, rather good-looking Octavia vRS. It’s a plug-in hybrid – technically very similar to the new Golf GTE – with a 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine and an 85kW electric motor/13.1kWh battery combo for a combined 242bhp and 295lb ft. Skoda claims 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds which…isn’t especially fast, but as a trade-off just 30g/km of CO2 and 40 miles of electric running.

Don’t want a plug-in hybrid? We have good news – Skoda has today confirmed it will sell you a vRS with a conventional petrol or diesel engine. The former gets the ubiquitous VW Group 2.0-litre turbo, which makes the exact same 242bhp as the hybrid.

Skoda hasn’t released performance figures, but the purely petrol car ought to be quicker, given it won’t have to cart around the hybrid’s hefty battery and e-motor and doesn’t depend on battery charge for max performance. You get a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG. The diesel – also a 2.0-litre four-cylinder – gets 197bhp. You can only have it with the auto box, but you do get the option of all-wheel drive.

Your vRS will look the same whatever engine you go for. Very smart – with 18-inch alloys, red brake callipers and blacked-out trim, and inside loads of Alcantara, fancy seats and a chunky steering wheel.

We’d go for the Estate, naturally, with the 2.0-litre petrol engine. You?