All this comes at a price - a dealer tells me that there is a 2% price hike in the pipeline for the new model and I bet a further one in 3 months time with the rate that the pound is falling - either that or a reduction in spec - and because all the manufacturers are in the same boat - you can bet that there will be a nod and a wink between them , in europe at least .

Ah , you might say but they still need to sell cars - yes but the one great ace that the car industry has is not only that they have a wide price range , but a model range for you to downgrade to ..... remember we still need to buy cars just as much as they need to sell them .

We will probably return to the bad old days with a huge disparity between us and europe . Competition itself only appears to work in the good times in the car industry - history tells us that ...... discuss !

On the plus side ( surely not ! ) if the quality of the Superb is to be transferred to the Octavia then maybe the initial price hike at least may be justified .

Well, Auto Express certainly seems to like it.

Article here from their web page (might be a bit easier to read than the jpg)

The revised styling is particularly welcome. The last model was hardly unattractive' date=' but it wasn’t distinctive, and in today’s style-obsessed market, that can prove a problem. So in comes a handsome face inspired by the Superb executive saloon.

It’s a success – the big grille is bold without being garish, the headlights are sharp and imposing, and together with a jutting lower air intake and sculpted bonnet, it’s a classy look.[/quote']

Have to say it certainly looks better in their "on the road" pictures than it did on the show stand pictures from Paris. A grower methinks......

Niall

All this comes at a price - a dealer tells me that there is a 2% price hike in the pipeline for the new model and I bet a further one in 3 months time with the rate that the pound is falling . .

Well, as someone who is actively looking to buy a facelift Octy early in the new year (assuming the Icelandic financial authorities cough up!) I do could without hearing of a price hike! Having said that we still do not know what equipment will be standard in each level of trim, unless I've missed it, so a price hike may not be so bad if you end up with a decent level of spec in the facelift that previously may have cost another grand. Of course it's still only a facelift so I'll be looking for a discount anyway. We'll just have to wait and see I guess.

I'm definitely going for the 1.8 Tsi but am really unsure of the DSG. My heart tells me to go that route but I've yet to see anyone commenting on a failed manual gearbox whereas there are few too many issues with DSG for my liking. Even accepting that the new 7 speeder has 2 million miles of testing behind it I really do not want to the unlucky sole whose gearbox goes one day after the warranty expires and face a 5 grand bill!

All this comes at a price - a dealer tells me that there is a 2% price hike in the pipeline for the new model and I bet a further one in 3 months time with the rate that the pound is falling - either that or a reduction in spec - and because all the manufacturers are in the same boat - you can bet that there will be a nod and a wink between them , in europe at least .

Ah , you might say but they still need to sell cars - yes but the one great ace that the car industry has is not only that they have a wide price range , but a model range for you to downgrade to ..... remember we still need to buy cars just as much as they need to sell them .

We will probably return to the bad old days with a huge disparity between us and europe . Competition itself only appears to work in the good times in the car industry - history tells us that ...... discuss !

On the plus side ( surely not ! ) if the quality of the Superb is to be transferred to the Octavia then maybe the initial price hike at least may be justified .

Skoda have just dropped their prices in the Czech Republic, but they said this does not mean they will fall in other countries as that is up to local importers. Weakness of the pound will not help us boys, but the Czech crown has been very strong against the pound for a while now.

Are there any pictures yet of what the facelifted Octy VRs will look like?

Also will the facelifted VRs take the same engines as current, i.e. 2.0T & 2.0 CR TDI? Do we think it will get the same higher output 2.0T engine that the Mk 6 Golf GTi is going to get?

Finally is there any word on possible special edition run out VRs models?

Edited 2 November, 200817 yr by Guest

The facelifted vRS would be a good opportunity to replace the old (belt driven cams) 2.0 Turbo petrol engine with the new (chain driven cams) version that has been appearing in VWs and Audis. Seeing as they have only just introduced the new generation 2.0 CR TDI engine I can't imagine why they would want to make any changes to that.

JMHO

Nice touch...

I emailed Skoda UK looking a bit of info on the face lift vRS this is the reply I got today.

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the Facelift Octavia vRS and for your interest in our brand.

I am pleased to advise that the new vRS model will be available to order in the second quarter of 2009. At present, no specification details have been finalised and pictures have yet to be released.

Please refer to our website at Škoda for regular updates. If you have any other enquiries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards

Skoda UK Customer Services

Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited

just spotted this on a french forum, just a couple of the new shape octys. Im going to pretend I dont like the new version as Ive just ordered a VRS estate which should be here next week

from here where there are more pics - Skoda Combi Octavia 2 - Skoda Octavia - FORUM Skoda - FORUM Auto par marques

and i wonder if the new aerial is easy to fit or will work on the current octy?

New accessories brochure has recently appeared - a few interesting things in here:

http://new.skoda-auto.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Catalogue/NewOctavia/NewOctavia_Accessories_ENG.pdf

..but if those red seats are going to be standard in the new vRS, it's not for me!!

A lot of official pictures of Facelifted Octavia

Picture bank - List of the group Octavia FL

New accessories brochure has recently appeared - a few interesting things in here:

http://new.skoda-auto.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Catalogue/NewOctavia/NewOctavia_Accessories_ENG.pdf

..but if those red seats are going to be standard in the new vRS, it's not for me!!

Hopefully not

I wonder if that's the color in dynamic pack? We have 2 options in dynamic pack colors. Red and silver. The pack itself includes sport seats and 3-spoke steering wheel.

Those seems to be seat covers in the brochure, but if the red dynamic pack coloring is the same then no thanks, not for me either

Edit :

Thank god they're only seat covers. The dynamic pack coloring is this :

Red

Silver

Edited 27 November, 200817 yr by downtime

New accessories brochure has recently appeared - a few interesting things in here:

http://new.skoda-auto.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Catalogue/NewOctavia/NewOctavia_Accessories_ENG.pdf

..but if those red seats are going to be standard in the new vRS, it's not for me!!

Interesting... what on earth is on page 27 of that PDF "7. “ŠkodaSAT” electronic log-book for easy evaluation of your vehicle’s operation (BSM 000 001 – basic set; BSM 600 001 – fitting set)?????

Are Skoda now saleing you VAGCom etc. Like the look of the new radios however I guess they will fit?

James.

Looks like it's getting the MDI interface! Awesome! USB Connectivity!

Facelift looks really good. Front end looks so much better now. No more sad looking droopy headlights!

Back to the sharp looks of the mk1....

Can't wait to see the new vRS.

Octavia vRS+

Octavia vRS+

looks like a halfords special

looks like a halfords special

Not a fan either!

Don't think it's a complete spec yet, but another PDF appeared: "Octavia Catalogue":

http://new.skoda-auto.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Catalogue/NewOctavia/NewOctavia_Catalogue_ENG.pdf

page 31 on that PDF for the VRS

3. Automatic 6-speed transmission is offered

with the 2.0 TDI CR DPF/125kW diesel engine and

2.0 TSI/147kW petrol engine.

So DSG on the 2.0t at last

The facelift looks nice...

Anyone noticed the 'smilie' face on the steering??

Nice subtle touch IMO

The facelift looks nice...

Anyone noticed the 'smilie' face on the steering??

Nice subtle touch IMO

and Multi function steering wheel.