Driving Times

Around the world governments are deciding to ban vehicles powered by fossil fuels. The UK has set a target for no new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to be sold by 2030. Therefore, brands have started to create cars with alternative power units, such as Skoda’s Octavia VRs PHEV. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) combine electrical motors with regular engines to meet the new guidelines.

Before I get to the Octavia VRs PHEV, let me explain the available power provisions when purchasing a new car. There are petrol and diesel vehicles which are classified as ICE, internal combustion engines. Hybrid, which combines electric motors with ICE engines; these can be self-charging or PHEV. Self-charging means the ICE engine, while in use, puts power back into the electric battery within the vehicle and plug-in involves using a cable to recharge the small battery in the car allowing electric power over a short-range.

The next step is total electric, where batteries in the vehicle’s electric motors turn the wheels. The batteries have to be charged by plugging the car into a power source such as your home sockets. Hydrogen celled cars are also available, they use gas to power the electric battery within. These are resupplied with hydrogen at a transport centre, just like filling up at a petrol station. Easy and clean.

Back to the Skoda Octavia VRs PHEV which combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an 85-kW electric motor to give 204PS of power. 350 Nm of torque is available if you should need it or want some thrills. The CO2 emissions are approximately 30g/km, and the all-electric range is up to 43 miles, although, during my week of testing, I only got 30 miles.

I was incredibly impressed with the fuel consumption, a full 50-litre tank gave me 450 miles of mixed driving. A lot of my trips were at motorway speeds which the car is easily able to do. The sports interior is comfortable and looks great, as does the display. It offers options of what you can

view while driving such as the power coming from the electric motor, boost, mileage range and electrical range to name a few.

The front-wheel-drive car has handling to match the performance, which gave me a lot of confidence when travelling on some twisty A-roads in rough weather at night. Packed with safety aids, it also makes it perfect transport for you and your loved ones. To list all would take up too much space, so a few to mention are lane departure assist, distance notification, parking assist and front and rear sensors.

I loved driving the VRs and enjoyed its versatility. It can be a capable family estate with loads of space for five people with luggage or an excitement inducing sports car. It can match what you require from it, ideal for motorway cruising, brisk driving on country roads or doing the family shop. The Skoda Octavia iV VRS PHEV offers value for money with a three-year warranty, long servicing intervals and inexpensive running costs. It stands above its competitors and I recommend you book a test drive. You will not be disappointed. Price from £33000

Words and images by Jeremy Webb Copyright 2021.

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