Skoda's vRS moniker has reached a decade old, so to celebrate the landmark Skoda sent an Octavia vRS packing to the Bonneville Salt Flats and ordered it to break 200mph.
It did. The record-breaking Octavia hit 202.15mph, powered by the same 2.0 TSI petrol engine found in Uncle Dave's taxi. Sort of...
...Ok, so the turbocharger had been replaced by a massive Garrett blower, sending power to 500bhp, but that's a minor detail. Producing over 30psi of boost, the turbocharger was complemented by high-octane race fuel to send the Octavia to 202mph.
Driven by Evo magazine's Richard Meaden, the Octavia isn't finished yet. Currently the team is looking to break the 216mph speed record for a 2.0-litre production car. Dubbed the 'vRS Bonneville Special,' it's already the fastest Skoda ever made, and is complete with a safety parachute, roll cage and fire extinguishers.
The UK is the biggest market for vRS cars, with 12,000 Fabia and Octavia models shifted here over the last decade.
What chances of a Bonneville special edition of some sort shortly? Watch this space...
Mark Nichol - 16 Aug 2011