By Lee Nian Tjoe

Now if Volkswagen is the people's car, then Skoda, which comes under the Volkswagen Group, should be the people's VW.

Coming from the ex-Communist Czech Republic, Skoda is slated to be the most accessible brand under the group, representing such egalitarian virtues as honesty and value. With Volkswagen nudging itself upmarket, Skoda's positioning seems perfectly sound and appealing.

The proposition is perhaps best illustrated by the Octavia vRS. First launched here in early 2008, the car's underpinnings can be traced to the Volkswagen Golf.

Its turbocharged 2-litre engine is also inherited from the Golf (the GTI, that is). For 2009, the vRS picked up one other GTI-esque ingredient: the dual-clutch transmission. It replaces the 6-speed manual.

Cosmetic-wise, the 2009 facelift revolves around the front, where the Octavia trades its boxy bumper and lights for some curves. The vRS also features trendy LED day running lights that the regular Octavia does without.

But the same stoic stance and glitzy front grille apply. The test car's bright yellow hue, the aggressive intakes on the bumper, and sporty 18-inch alloys and red brake callipers bring about a sporty impression that is cool by sheer irony.

The equipment level is generous. From HID to cornering lights and full-colour touch screen audio system to sports seat, the vRS is packed to its chunky wing mirrors with kit, pretty much in tandem with the GTI. Where the Skoda trumps the hatchback is its enormous boot.

The estate version (called Combi) is expectedly generously endowed. But even the hatchback - which Skoda stubbornly calls a saloon - is voluminous enough to give would-be human traffickers ideas.

Despite appearing to match the GTI on almost all counts sans the cachet, Skoda is keeping a respectful berth at the cashier. At press time, nearly S$20,000 separates the vRS from the German hot hatch.

Of course, that's not to say the vRS is a perfect substitute to the GTI buyer looking for a bargain.

Doing without the GTI's pseudo-limited slip differential, suspension setting and probably some other secret ingredient that Volkswagen has kept for itself, the Skoda sets its own course in terms of handling characteristics - one that's mellow and matured; more GT than GTI.

Get a copy of the October 2009 issue of Torque to read about the latest on all things to do with cars, in the most exciting ways. Torque published by SPH Magazines is available at all newsstands now.

Also, check out the October 2009 issue for these stories:
E-Class meets its old self
The arrival of a new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is always an important event. We pit the latest model against its predecessor to see if it's worthy of the hype.
Hybrid wars
It may not be the case here, but petrol-electric hybrid cars are all the rage in Japan. Top of the pile are the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight. So what makes them tick?

Lee Nian Tjoe is the editor of Torque magazine by SPH Magazines.

Check out more stories at Torque online, www.torque.com.sg.