In this weeks Auto Express it has been anounced that the Seat Leon from November is to get the 225bhp TT unit - replacing the 210 unit it currently has prices expected to be

How sad that VAG are giving so much to what is arguably the weakest brand in the group. If any brand ougt to be the "motorsport brand", then it should be Skoda, given their prominence in the WRC. The image I get from Seat is that of hairdessers cars, badly built by lazy Spaniards.

If Skoda pulled their fingers out, they could have a viable Impreza rival in the Octavia or even the Fabia. Looks like we're left to do the hard work ourselves.

I agree 100% with all your views except for one thing:-

- We get to drive our cars with other road users who do not expect them to perform at all.

I see that as a big bonus after the 5 Subarus I had over the years - at first you could have a lot of fun but now everyone knows about and is doing the Scooby thing - muppets and Police alike (there was a Police Impreza parked at Hartside (on the A66?) chasing bikers the other week !

I say a big thank you to Skoda for keeping things a secret for us, but half of me would still like them to make official 'Prodrive style' official upgrades (But cheaper obviously !)

True - it does seem like Skoda are suddenly in danger of taking things for granted.

Maybe they think the forthcoming Fab vRS is going to help keep them going or something...?

Hi All

I assume the 225 engine is going to be installed in the Cupra R Leon , as it currently gets the 210 horser. So this is still going to be FWD only? If thats the case , its not such a problem (ie I will have the same if not a tad more power from my vRS this summer for the princely sum of 400-odd quid , not 18 grand , and it will still be FWD only!...no advantage in me trading in for the Leon). What would upset me is if SEAT got the 4WD platform mated to the 225BHP engine and the Octavia did not , as IMO the Leon is an ugly little thing compared to the Octavia. I'm also worried that the vRS may be left out of the new Octavia range , coz if SEAT are getting all the sporty cars , will the Fabia vRS be Skoda's last one? Maybe they are trying to get us all to trade up the VAG group into Audis and such?

Here in Holland the Seat Leon is very populair. The 1.8VT is being sold very well. A friend off mine is Sealt dealer. He knew my RS and was realy surprised how the vRS felt in comparison to his tuned Leon. He always thought that Seat was the sportier one.

Grt. ****