As far as I am aware the 1.8T in the Chinese version is still the old MPI and not a TFSI.

Here are the specs on the chinese octavia, look at the power (160 BHP) and the 0 to 60 (9.1), that's the TFSI that's in the A3, there are also lots of pics here of the engine with FSI and TURBO under it, FSI appears a few times in the text as well.

The cheaper 2L engine is the MPI.

clever marketing perhaps? If Skoda made a 1.8 TFSi 4x4 or a 230 bhp vRS, I think they might be taking the market away from themselves i.e. Audi and VW. In other words undercutting their own products. Although the Audi A4 is a lovely car I couldn't bring myself to buy a 1.8 TFSi or a 2.0 TFSi or a 2.0 Tdi for that matter, whilst the Octavia is still being made (unless I was spending someone elses money!)

If Skoda made a 1.8 TFSi 4x4...

Why "if"? They do make a 4x4 with the 1.8TFSI. Seems to be not available in the UK, but it is available here in Germany.

Undercutting the British market perhaps? Can't think of another reason unless its just that it hasn't been launched over here yet.

"Lets make a limited edition Octavia vRS with more power" and " lets make a 4x4 octavia with a turbo petrol engine"

Both seem like good ideas to me!

..im sure I read that the Scout was getting the new engine?! :(