Picking up a cue from another thread - http://www.briskoda.net/forums/showthread.php?t=22205 - commenting on the availability of a towbar for an Irish spec Fabia RS (note not vRS over there) makes for interesting reading.

Why would Skoda have a completely different specification for an Irish Fabia RS compared to a UK Fabia vRS? (I presume it's only the UK where Skoda have to use vRS presumably because Ford "own" RS?)

Here's the option list for an Irish one with my comments appended - some of these can be dealer fitted in the UK:

6 CD changer [RCP]

Here's the direct link - http://www.skoda-auto.ie/newcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=details&passedcat=Standard&vehicle_id=75924020040914&Project=Demo&strSpecs=SSCIRL2002&LanguageId=1&UID=759240

i thought you were going to say it had square wheels or something

I think its to do with reducing the on the road price. We get nailed so badly with VRT that I assume they doctor the features on the car to bring it into a more reasonable price range.

I heard of one maunufacturer that brought the cars in without alloys and put them on when they came off the boat , must have been to escape being charged VRT on the cumulative price of car + alloys :confused: .

I'm surprised some of these options are not available though - admittedly pricey, but why no heated sprayer thingies? Odd :(

You could buy it in Ireland, pay the import tax and re-register it over here and hey presto a full kitted out vRS

Very true - can't quite afford that though :(

On the list of accessories .... why is it against govt legislation ... Has towing suddenly become illegal. After all my local VW dealer did offer a tow bar on a Polo GT ... and thats not a lot different to the Fabia

I also believe that its the bog standard tow bar that they use .... :confused:

On the list of accessories .... why is it against govt legislation ... Has towing suddenly become illegal. After all my local VW dealer did offer a tow bar on a Polo GT ... and thats not a lot different to the Fabia

I also believe that its the bog standard tow bar that they use .... :confused:

All manufacturers need to submit UK cars for type approval regarding towing. They will then get a max towing weight ratified. Skoda uk have not sumitted the fab vrs and so it is not "qualified" to tow.

If you look in manual you will see tow weights for all other variants but a blank against the VRS.

It is quite capable of towing and many of the towbars fit. Problem is, without type approval and official towing weight the insurance/ traffic law and warranty issues are quite concerning.

Different regs in Eire.

Barrie

I heard of one maunufacturer that brought the cars in without alloys and put them on when they came off the boat , must have been to escape being charged VRT on the cumulative price of car + alloys :confused: .

Apparently, most of the Beemers (and presumably other makes) coming off the boat have the leather seats and alloys etc. fitted once they land here for the same reason.

All manufacturers need to submit UK cars for type approval regarding towing. They will then get a max towing weight ratified. Skoda uk have not sumitted the fab vrs and so it is not "qualified" to tow.

If you look in manual you will see tow weights for all other variants but a blank against the VRS.

It is quite capable of towing and many of the towbars fit. Problem is' date=' without type approval and official towing weight the insurance/ traffic law and warranty issues are quite concerning.

Different regs in Eire.

Barrie[/quote']

We've got a detachable towbar fitted to our fabia VRS and it tows a treat! Through both the dealer and a local towbar specialist we had a brink towbar fitted with only the smallest section of the rear bumper cut right at the very bottom. Looks great and works really well!

MD