Hello All,

I finally have a shiny new VRS; a post-facelift Model Year 2012 version - black pack and all.

However I have noticed a difference to the handling characteristics when compared to the MY2011 car I test drove. I must say I do prefer the car I have.

The change in driving characteristics are:

Quicker steering response

Heavier Steering

Much more road feel

More tendency to tram-lining

The only physical difference between the cars that I could actually see is that the test car was fitted with Dunlop MAXX TTs, whereas mine has Continental Conti Sport 2s.

I also suspect that it may have a faster steering rack (i.e. fewer turns lock to lock), but I'm really not sure of this.

So, has anyone else noticed this?

Is this just down to the tyres (I think the changes are too marked for that), is it a change to the steering rack or just the programming of the electro hydraulic steering servos?

Any ideas?

I'm actually really pleased with the difference: the car feels more nimble and gives better feedback without much loss of stability.

Cheers...

Tyres and tyre pressures could attibute to all of that easily.

Mine has conit's and feels better than the dunlop'd demo I drove, could be as simple as that.

Are there any differences between my11 and my12 fabia's in general? My 1.2 tsi 86 estate is due to be built in September, so wondering if there are any updates or changes to expect.

The car has electro-mechanical power steering and its possible to adjust the steering weight using VCDS, its possible your new car is set to a different value than the demo model.

I thought the changes to the MY2012 were only cosmetic; Black Pack, smaller aerial, anything else?!

The vRS I test drove seemed to have light steering compared to my MK1 vRS and felt 'nimble' compared to the slightly 'planted' feel of the MK1.

It might just be subjective but mechanical variations no doubt contribute to how a car drives.

Dont think they touched the steering. Should be tyres, or tyre pressures showing the difference.

Having done back to back to back testing between a conti and dunslop shod car it realy is all tyres the dunslops need to be ragged to hell and back to even work. IMHO skoda fitting the dunslops to the car is irrisponable and boarder line negligent they are that bad.

The demo car I had for a week had P Zeros fitted, my MY12 car has Dunlops fitted, the demo car was far better!

I have recently replaced the original Conti Sport 2s on my 2008 Fabia Estate with Pirelli P Zero Neros and the difference is quite pronounced - much more grip, better straight line stability. Although we haven't had that much wet weather for ages now this is the one area where I suspect the Pirellis may not be quite as good - the Contis were absolutely excellent in the wet, but I think the Pirellis do not feel quite so secure. What will be interesting is to see the life I get from them. The Contis weren't brilliant on that front, lasting only about 18,000 miles on the front, but all that grip has to come from somewhere! Also the increased grip is definitely encouraging me to make use of it...

I noticed a difference between the test car I drove and my own one.

The test car (MY2011 with Dunlops) felt a little numb, not all that engaging. My car (MY2012 with Contis) rides slightly harsher but feels more direct and grippy. Initially I put this down to the fact the test car was an estate version, but I guess the different tyres could go some way to explain the difference.