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Skoda plans to rock up to the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed with its biggest vehicle line-up to date - headlined by the world debut of the all-new Octavia vRS.
The latest flagship Octavia follows the classic vRS recipe; it features a new body kit, bespoke alloy wheels and painted brake callipers. Both a hatchback and an estate will be available at launch, with a choice of two engines. The 220hp 2.0-litre TSI unit is the petrol offering, while the 184hp 2.0-litre TDI unit is currently the most powerful diesel engine ever fitted to a Skoda. Naturally the suspension and brakes have also been uprated to ensure sportier handling over the standard models.
The unveiling of the new Octavia vRS will take place inside the Skoda Pavilion, which in itself is said to host a number of interactive goodies. The stand will also contain a 4D cinema designed to give viewers an insight into the new vRS.
As well as the new Octavia, Skoda will be showcasing two of its Fabia S2000 rally cars on the company-sponsored Forest Rally Stage. For this year's show, Goodwood's loose-surface course has been redesigned and the two rally cars will be piloted down it by rally stars Freddy Loix and Sepp Wiegand.
The Fabia S2000s will also find themselves taking on a tarmac course as they join the new Octavia vRS on the famous Goodwood Hill Climb course. In addition to the modern offerings, two racers from yesteryear will ascend the 1.16-mile course. The 1981 European Touring Car Championship winning 130RS and a 1950 Le Mans 24-Hour racer will not only bring a taste of nostalgia to the event, but they will also be recognised as being two of the rarest cars ever to climb the hill at Goodwood.
Anything else?
This year's Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from 11th-14th July.
James Giddings - 10 Jul 2013