At the time of the first vRS launch, based on the first-generation Skoda Octavia, to avoid legal action from Ford Motor Company, which ‘owned’ the RS (Rally Sport) name badge, Skoda decided to prefix its ‘RS’ with the ‘vee’ accent that normally sits above the ‘S’ in Skoda and ‘vRS’ was born. The upgrades to the normal Octavia were visibly subtle but absolutely right for market.

Lowered and beefed-up suspension, but not to the point of unforgiving harshness, were obvious details, as were the slightly larger diameter alloy wheels. More heavily bolstered seats, with the ‘vRS’ logo stitched in colourful red and green threads into their backrests, gave another clue, as did the dark grey headlining and larger exhaust tailpipe.

Pepping-up the 1.8-litre turbocharged-petrol engine to deliver 180bhp and gifting the car an ESP system that allowed greater wheel-slip for a more engaging drive experience were key benefits for the VW Golf platformed five-door model. It became an overnight success story, supported in short order by the 1.9-litre PDi-only (diesel) version of the Fabia, similarly enhanced, which became a best-seller in class and ripped down the ‘budget class’ banners that were limiting Skoda sales.

Now that the Czech brand’s new, sporty, top-of-the-range Kodiaq model is also being called vRS, it is almost guaranteed to herald runaway sales for the marque. The high-performance SUV celebrated its world premiere at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. As the latest addition to the Czech brand’s vRS family, it combines a generous and flexible model, with Skoda-typical practicality in its enhanced interior.

The sports seats with integrated headrests, which come as standard in the Kodiaq vRS, feature seat cushions and backrests wrapped in Alcantara, a costly but very durable suede-like material.  The contrasting stitching and red detailing create visual highlights. The seats’ side bolsters are covered in leather and, just like the central armrest, gear and handbrake lever gaiters and the armrests in the doors, carry red stitching.

The multi-function steering wheel features the vRS logo, while the door trims use black Alcantara, albeit with a distinctive diamond cross pattern rendered in black stitching. A carbon-look instrument panel, black roof liner and stainless-steel foot-pedals round off the sporting clues. Naturally, the model retains all the familiar qualities of the Kodiaq series, offering plenty of space for five, or seven, people, an immense luggage compartment and a cluster of the brand’s usual ‘Simply Clever’ ideas.