Performance Review: Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Skoda Octavia Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Skoda Octavia has a 1781cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Octavia shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Octavia's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1375 kgs (3031 lbs) this makes the Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Skoda Octavia shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1781cc 20V St4 engine produces 180 bhp (134 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 173 lb-ft (234.5 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Skoda Octavia you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1993 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (155.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Skoda Octavia.

The Skoda Octavia has a Power to weight ratio of 130.9 bhp per ton and 125.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Octavia competing with the 1993 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (155.9 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 (155.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Skoda Octavia generating around 125.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1988 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 (150.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 V8 (150.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Octavia and the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Skoda Octavia on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.81 secs @ 86.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (15.75 secs), the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26R (15.75 secs), and the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 (15.75 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Octavia equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Octavia Rivals List.

A Brief History of Skoda

Car Comparison