Anyone see Autocar this week with it's big group test of driver's car below

I did the same earlier in the week - I've ended up leaving Autocar on the shelf for a few weeks running now - the Skoda bit was the only thing half interesting.

They weren't actually that critical of the vRS - just that other cars have caught up and offer more fun and involvement for the money. If Skoda UK offered a Subaru-style Performance Pack for

If Skoda UK offered a Subaru-style Performance Pack for

True - we both know that the cost would be minimal - I'm trying to draw a parallel with the marketing / official sanctioning approach that Subaru have taken very successfully with the PPP (Prodrive Peformance Pack).

It brought Subaru dealers a lot of extra business (at

Did anybody see the "backward" vRS ad in this week's Auto express. i.e. they must only have had left hooker pics

why do 4x4 octavia owners have something against the vrs??? is it a sense of insecurity?

Yes I bought the offending issue.

It seems rather pointless testing the cars on a circuit as most people will never go near one.

Okay it highlights the various handling characteristics of a car but personally if I wanted a cicuit car, I would buy something purpose built like a Caterham.

One thing I found interesting is that mechanically similar Seat Leon Cupra (also featured in the test) has a lower top speed and poorer acceleration figures than the vRS, even though the Leon has a 6 speed 'box. :confused:

The article made interesting reading all the same.

why do 4x4 octavia owners have something against the vrs??? is it a sense of insecurity?

Do they?

Quite the reverse!

Time to walk the dogs........

LOL anytime I guess its an age thing.

Originally posted by day tripper in this post

why do 4x4 octavia owners have something against the vrs??? is it a sense of insecurity?

:confused: Eh ? You'll have to explain that one !

I chose to buy a 4x4 over the vRS:-

- It has the same engine, detuned

- They both remap/chip to the same limit (c.225bhp)

- The 4x4 system is the same as in the Audi S3

- I wanted a stealthy looking car after my last 3 Subarus

Insecure ? Nah. Confident in the car's ability ? Sure.

:drive1:

dont you think the 4x4 is a bit too subtle...

besides if the warranty is for 3 years and cannot modify, the 4x4 is too slow!

Originally posted by FabiaTDi in this post

Yes I bought the offending issue.

One thing I found interesting is that mechanically similar Seat Leon Cupra (also featured in the test) has a lower top speed and poorer acceleration figures than the vRS, even though the Leon has a 6 speed 'box. :confused:

The 6 speed box may actually hurt the Cupra in the 0-60 dash since they probably have to make a additional gear change on the way.

My RS will make 70mph before needing a upshift so I guess the closer ratios on the cupra mean it has to make the shift before 60, thereby slowing it down.

Originally posted by day tripper in this post

why do 4x4 octavia owners have something against the vrs??? is it a sense of insecurity?

His scorn of the great is repeated too often to be real; no man thinks much of that which he despises.

Hi all

Id be interested in a list of the cars above the RS in the list! How did the Proton get there? I know its got , ahem , 'Handling by Lotus' but its a 1992 Colt for gods sake!and as for the Honda , how many places on public roads can you get away with revving up to 9000 revs? For this test to be balanced they should have taken all the cars out onto public roads , then used an aggregate of the 2 scores to make up their list.

Originally posted by Freakcrab in this post

My RS will make 70mph before needing a upshift

70 mph in first gear. :confused:

Delcac Wrote

His scorn of the great is repeated too often to be real; no man thinks much of that which he despises.

Damn that's impressive

Don't know where you got that one from , but for certain it could only have come from a vRS owner:D

Originally posted by delcac in this post

70 mph in first gear. :confused:

Well spotted :p .

That should have read:

My RS will do 70 mph before needing a second upshift. .

It will only do 40 in 1st.:eek:

His scorn of the great is repeated too often to be real; no man thinks much of that which he despises.

vRS owners looking for similar put-down quotes can obtain them by subscribing to SpicyQuotes' weekly quote Newsletter here.

Time to see if the dogs have come up with any interesting quotes today........

I have a quote from my wolfhound:-

"Dad there's a BMW tailgating us, shall I growl at him or are you going to :wave: leave him for dead?"

He is an intelligent dog though ...

vRS.75 mph in second, 110mph in third

Dave

Remember that there's speedo error to take off at all speeds.

Otheos has a good post about gearing which gives you the exact mph per 1000 revs so you can

work out the exact max speed posisble in 1st to 4th - and the theoretical in 5th - about 170 !

Check this twin turbo upgrade for a doge viper

http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/hennesseyperformance/ItemDetail.php?Item_ID=18&cart=uswtGZKH

Sorry to drag this any where near topic again..

Anyway, in the last year I have had my first two cars which could really be considered drivers cars - the RS and an MX5 - to be honest it is pretty strange to consder them being tested together anyway! The Mazda was brilliant fun - like a go-kart (unless you have a Caterham I guess) and the rear wheel drive was really fun on wet cobbles, even with (comparatively) little power. My wife hated it (couldn't get in and out) and she newver drove it once - more fool her. If it was for a second car, I would have one like a shot as I still think it looks a lot better than most of the newer 2 seaters. Even though it is marginally slower than the RS on paper - when you have the roof down and floor it in 2nd - 3rd I tell you if feels a lot quicker - sitting way lower helps as well.....

Anyway, most of you know the gen on the Skoda, but I think my point was...... ..........horses for courses. On a back road I would have the Mx5 anyway - not faster but a lot more fun - easier to get near the limits. BUt then again, I did a wet run along the M8 from Edinburgh to Glasgow and that was when I was REALLY glad I ordered the RS...........just a shame I can't have one of each really..........

(jeez - I haven't been on here for a while - see how much rubbish I have stored up.. )

Originally posted by Fabpreza in this post

I chose to buy a 4x4 over the vRS

If I were to buy another Skoda out of the current range, it would be a tougher choice than I had last year. I love the interior trim, brakes, wheels and styling of the vRS, but for pure driving fun, I'd seriously be tempted by a chipped 4x4.

Of course, other cars are beginning to descend into the same price range as the Skodas, wich would make the choice even harder still!

Rob

If Skoda launch a 'proper sports spec' 4x4 on the next-gen Octavia with an interior, brakes, cosmetics etc. similar to the current vRS and 210bhp out of the box I will at the head of the queue.

There will be absolutely no logical point in buying an A4 or A3 (or even 1.8T A6) Quattro for another