IT’S the petrol version of Skoda’s new sporty Octavia that has grabbed all of the headlines.

With 220ps, it is the fastest road-going model the marque has ever produced, and well worthy of the publicity it’s had.

But you can also have the vRS with the cracking 184ps diesel engine. It’s the thinking man’s choice, if you will, and it’s the one I tested from Westover’s shiny new Wallisdown showroom.

While it might not quite satisfy those looking for raw petrol performance, the diesel unit is a fantastic engine.

It is very quick when you want it to be, but also returns MPG well into the 50s in the real world and is clean, putting out just 119g/km of CO2.

That is quite a combination.

Aesthetically, the vRS has always been pleasing to the eye, and you get a rear spoiler, front and rear diffusers, twin stainless steel exhaust pipes and bi-xenon headlights.

They all add to the sporty look, as does the vRS badge on the front, honeycomb air intakes and a new front bumper.

Inside is a comfortable place to be, with sports seats, stainless steel pedals, a three-spoke leather steering wheel and vRS kick plates.

A good array of colours are available. The tester I drove was silver, but if you’re a proper vRS fan surely you’d go for something that makes a bit more of a statement – blue, Rallye green or yellow, for example.

I actually drove the estate, which adds extra practicality to what is already a good family-size car with a big boot.

Options-wise you can have adaptive cruise control, lane assist, various radios and sat nav.

My only disappoint was that, on a car that starts from £22,990, you don’t get things like sat nav as standard. That’s something Skoda needs to think about to carry on competing with its rivals.

But as a fast and fun sports car that is also clean, frugal and practical, the latest Octavia vRS is one heck of a package – and a serious conundrum for anyone considering a VW Golf GTi, which shares the same platform.

The estate version starts at £23,790.

Find out more at westovergroup.co.uk/skoda.