TECHNOLOGY in the wrong hands can be a dangerous thing. Take Skoda’s DSG gearbox, for instance.

In the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, it is probably poetry in motion.

A flick up here, a flick down there – power increased or decreased with consummate ease.

In the hands of a complete eijit, such as myself, it is anything but.

On several occasions I forgot which side was up and which was down and either sent the rev counter into orbit or the car almost came to an inglorious halt.

When you take into account the Octavia was painted in a garish yellow, my mistakes became even more embarrassing.

“Look at that so and so in that stupid yellow car,” would have been bad enough, but “look at that so and so in that stupid yellow car who cannot even drive the thing” ... well, you get the picture.

After a few days not quite getting the hang of it, I opted to stick to the automatic box and forget any pretensions of being a racing driver.

I’m glad I did because it made my time with the Octavia all the more enjoyable.

Not so long ago ‘cool’ and ‘Skoda’ were the least likely of bedfellows, but since VW became involved all that has changed.

Reliability, quality and value for money are the watchwords, and with the vRS you can add fun.

It certainly looks the part. It has deeper bumpers than the standard Octavia, a boot spoiler and 18-inch alloys to give it an altogether beefier appearance.

A twin chromed exhaust leaves those following behind in no doubt as to this car’s pretensions.

But it’s not all show and no go. The vRS is equipped with the engine normally associated with the Golf GTI.

The 2.0 litre unit gets you to 60mph in around seven seconds and could go on to a top speed a shade under 150mph. Punch the accelerator and watch the needle fly. The gear changes are sudden and sharp, even in DSG mode, and for me that’s just what is required in a car of this ilk.

I want to be thrown back into the seat, I want my ears to whistle when I come to rest and I want to think ‘blimey, I really should slow down’.

The steering is direct and there is plenty of grip to ensure you stay on your side of the carriageway.

The new Octavia has been tweaked on the inside and includes new steering wheel design, new instrument panel and, thank goodness, a new radio with touch-screen technology.

All areas of the cabin have new trim to give the car a more exclusive feel.

While appealing to the male ego, the vRS also doubles as a family runabout, with acres of room in the front and back and enough headroom to accommodate even the tallest. I wager the boot would swallow a family of four’s holiday requirements.

You can probably tell I like the vRS, floppy paddles apart, but what made my mind up for me was when my new car was delivered and my two-year-old cried his eyes out when the Skoda went.

Who would have predicted that a few short years ago?

Specification

Prise (as tested): £19,805
Engine: 2.0 litre petrol
Max power: 200bhp
Max torque: 173lb/ft
Max speed: 148mph
0-62mph: 7.3secs
Avg fuel consumption: 36.7mpg combined
Equipment (includes): 18ins alloys; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors; electronic stability programme; front fog lights; Halogen projector headlights; red brake calipers; remote central locking; tinted glass; twin chrome exhaust; multi-function leather sports steering wheel with paddle shift; sports seats; dual-zone air conditioning; alarm; electric windows; immobiliser; power steering; airbags; split-folding rear seats; Six CD audio system with MP3 capability; trip computer; acoustic rear parking sensors.