I was watching yet another re-run of Topgear and got ot thinking, Clarkson nearly always test drives the top of the range edition of a given car, Audi RS4 or Mercedes AMG Black etc. And then proclaims that its an amazeing car in general terms so the car maker benefits right the way down its whole range. Does anyone else think Skoda should make a tyre shredding version of one of their cars just for the petrol head car journalists? I can't recall, Apart from the roomster clarkson ever

doing a serious test of a skoda on TV despite him actually quite likeing alot of their cars.

Now the fun bit what car and engine would you choose for this car?

w8 in a Fabia

w8 in a Fabia

OK, but i hear the 2litre fabia was a bit of a beast anyway

A Supurb was breifely driven on the flying caravan challenge.

Clarkson drove a Fabia II 1.4 TDI on a fuel economy challenge. Clarkson and Hammond raced a Fabia vRS and a Bini Cooper around the track.

In the old top gear (when it was a proper motoring show) Chris Goffy road tested a Skoda Favorit. It was on YouTube, but has been taken down due to copywrite issues.

Edited 27 March, 201016 yr by Jim H

it'd have to be a 4WD superb with a 4.2 V8 wouldn't it?!

Bah.. Superb II with the 5.0 V10 biturbo

What Engine does the R32 have? that would be juicy in the octavia with 4wheel drive.

Skoda's range topper is the 4x4 3.6 Supurb. It's not that shabby a car, but I can't see it ever getting the same plaudits as say an RS4 etc on Top Gear.

as a marketing concept a proper range topper would be something to spark people's interest. Clarkson Arseing around for even a few mins on the track could get people

through the door. your average punter may not be able to afford a fabia with an aircraft carrier engine! but they may look at the new VRS instead! Just a thought. and i know top gear stopped being a car show long ago, but people still watch it in their millions.

I doubt VW would ever allow a smoking hot Skud.

Clarkson is generally very positive towards Skodas in his columns.

Not sure where 'normal' cars will find a place on TV after 5th gear was stopped.

I doubt VW would ever allow a smoking hot Skud.

Completely.

Audi is the premium VW

VW is the normal

SEAT the funky, sporty segment

Skoda is the budget

Completely.

Audi is the premium VW

VW is the normal

SEAT the funky, sporty segment

Skoda is the budget

Yet skoda is supposed to be outselling VW at the moment

Yet skoda is supposed to be outselling VW at the moment

And supposedly VW is not happy about it. The profit margin is lower on a Skud Vs a VW.

So more Skuds sold usually means fewer VW sold means less profit.

Not sure what they will do about it though.

And supposedly VW is not happy about it. The profit margin is lower on a Skud Vs a VW.

So more Skuds sold usually means fewer VW sold means less profit.

Not sure what they will do about it though.

Lower the price of VW's?

When i was looking at buying the Fabia it was between that and a polo/golf.

Went for the Fabia as it was a lot cheaper!

Yet skoda is supposed to be outselling VW at the moment

I know, funny isn't it.

That said, the Golf has got progressively more sensible. Even the GTI. Even Toyotas have more personality these days.

I know, funny isn't it.

That said, the Golf has got progressively more sensible. Even the GTI. Even Toyotas have more personality these days.

I think the main thing is that you would be mad to spend the extra cash for a VW when you can get a skoda much cheaper and apart from the badge they are pretty mush the same thing.

He raced Hammond in a Fabia VRS (Hammond in a MINI) when that car came out and was impressed with the poke but said handling was disappointing: still rinced Hammond in the MINI though. It's on Youtube somewhere!

He raced Hammond in a Fabia VRS (Hammond in a MINI) when that car came out and was impressed with the poke but said handling was disappointing: still rinced Hammond in the MINI though. It's on Youtube somewhere!

Are you sure you read my post? I linked to that video.

Yet skoda is supposed to be outselling VW at the moment

Proves that people are looking for value for money.

Every one asks me why didnt i buy the gttdi 130 golf i first looked at, well every single golf is way overpriced in my view, the golf i looked at 02 plate 70000 miles, for £7000 i think it had cruise control, heated seats air con the usall. Went for the fabia vrs because 54 plate 50000 miles nice interior had all the stuff the golf had and traction control for £6000. Plus face it every sodding golf looks the same within there age group, take the badge off i couldnt tell the difference between the gttdi and a gti or a tdi. The fabia vrs looks completely different from the rest and there isnt a million of them within square mile.

W12 engined 2 seat Fabia with engine in the back, MR layout, factory supplied roll cage (for chassis stiffness more than roll protection) and 4wd sounds pretty special also only produce 500 of them (anything less is too exclusive for a brand that prides itself on being accessible financially), but price it keenly and then make punters wait an age to get it... Skoda have that last bit nailed already

Pricing it keen would make it a good investment car, they'd sell for more 2nd hand than the purchase price. That could turn the skoda image around if they had a car so desirable that the going price is more than retail.

VW ninja assassins would be dispatched to Mlada Boleslav

W12 engined 2 seat Fabia with engine in the back, MR layout, factory supplied roll cage (for chassis stiffness more than roll protection) and 4wd sounds pretty special also only produce 500 of them (anything less is too exclusive for a brand that prides itself on being accessible financially), but price it keenly and then make punters wait an age to get it... Skoda have that last bit nailed already

Pricing it keen would make it a good investment car, they'd sell for more 2nd hand than the purchase price. That could turn the skoda image around if they had a car so desirable that the going price is more than retail.

VW ninja assassins would be dispatched to Mlada Boleslav

Now thats what i'm talking about!!! something from left field to set skoda apart

He did review the mk5 gti though, not the top of the range R32 (maybe it wasnt out when filmed), and said it was a very good car, which would be more or less the same as reviewing the Octy2 VRS wouldnt it? maybe just not as fast? He more complimented the handling, engine and acceleration than speed, although it did get a mention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMy1CA9NiVU

He did review the mk5 gti though, not the top of the range R32 (maybe it wasnt out when filmed), and said it was a very good car, which would be more or less the same as reviewing the Octy2 VRS wouldnt it?

If Golf's count then he reviewed a white mk5 with a W12 in the back to http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/05/vw-golf-gti-w12-concept-650hp-325kmh.html, he liked the fact it was mental but spent all his time trying not to be derogatory about the handling!

He raced Hammond in a Fabia VRS (Hammond in a MINI) when that car came out and was impressed with the poke but said handling was disappointing: still rinced Hammond in the MINI though. It's on Youtube somewhere!

I've had a few badge snobs( in a "not a mini") try it on on tight roads - perhaps it's because I cut my teeth on Highland single trackers ,perhaps they just ain't got it ,but till they get a straight ,they're usually way behind ,and that's with a humble TDi ( times I wish I had a bit more poke -like 100 under the bonnet) -according to pundits the 1.4 has a bit of advantage in weight on front axle .