Kodiaq's back with a cracker

NEW SKODA VRS DELIVERS A DASH OF DRAMA WITH THE SAME SOLID PERFORMANCE

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Skoda's Kodiaq remains one of the big players in the seven-seater SUV game. But what if you'd like a little extra punch from your Kodiaq? That's where the new vRS model comes into play. Hotter than ever, it has been designed for drivers who want all the practicality but a decent level of performance too.

WHAT'S NEW?

You still get seven seats, you still have a boatload of storage solutions and you'll still find many of Skoda's Simply Clever features dotted about.

But we've got a tweaked chassis, an enhanced braking system and more power than ever before.

UNDER THE BONNET?

You've got a little bit of Volkswagen Group magic here. The 261bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is the same you'll find powering the current Golf GTI, so it has more than enough pedigree to begin with.

That represents a 20bhp uplift on the previous Kodiaq vRS and unlocks a 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds and top speed of 143mph. All versions get a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox too. Efficiency-wise, it doesn't score that well. Skoda claims up to 33.8mpg, but drive in a keener fashion and it'll fall south sharpish.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?