Anyone seen this?

Brilliant article and very complimentary about the Octavia!

"A car that epitomises the values of cost-effective Q"

"The Octavia has always been a car whose actual performance makes its on paper claims look unwisely modest."

"Despite being a large five-seater with a vast boot, the vRS weighs just 1360kg as a hatch."

"It's a true featherweight compared with the other cars in this test and, working in conjunction with that 206lb ft of torque and well-chosen gearing, it leaves the Octavia vRS feeling very sprightly indeed. Some cars just feel effortlessly fast, in a way that even expert analysis of their vitals will never fully explain, and the vRS is one of those."

Praise indeed and in some company - others tested: Audi S4 Saloon, Insignia VRX Tourer, BMW 550i, Jaguar XJ Supersport.

Not sure how long the vRS will remain Q !!

Sounds like a good read. I shall have to buy it now!

Oddly the engine picture at the bottom of the page has "TDI" written on it.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/215524-evo/page__p__2538727__fromsearch__1#entry2538727

My first reaction to this was that its no surprise that the FL VRS TSI is a Q car since (with the exception of the Evo article obviously) it gets (and has got) nearly zero coverage in the press.

I read the article & they talk about the petrol vrs & yet the pictures are of a tdi vrs.

My first reaction to this was: DECEMBER?!

My first reaction to this was that its no surprise that the FL VRS TSI is a Q car since (with the exception of the Evo article obviously) it gets (and has got) nearly zero coverage in the press.

That's because the original vRS (albeit with the TFSI engine) has been around for over 5 years. It got a lot of coverage when it first came out. Evo ran one on Fast Fleet and Drive had one on a long term test.

Edited 18 October, 201114 yr by Guest

That's because the original vRS (albeit with the TFSI engine) has been around for over 5 years. It got a lot of coverage when it first came out. Evo ran one on Fast Fleet and Drive had one on a long term test.

IIRC when "Car" magazine did a "used bargains" feature they even listed the Octavia VRS as having ended production in 2009!

I think some people might be missing the point of what a Q car is. To me it's a car that is reasonably quick, yet has unassuming looks and doesn't shout about it's performance to people who aren't car enthusiasts. The VRS estate is probably more of a Q car than the hatch as it doesn't have a rear spoiler, but both are allot less obvious than something like an Astra VXR or Leon Cupra K1. Whether or not a car has much press coverage isn't going to make much difference as a large proportion of the population only read car magazine or websites when they are looking to purchase a new car.

The whole reason I got my VRS in silver was so it doesn't stand out as I'd got sick of boy racers and reps constantly wanting to have a go (I've got an old BMW M3 , which seemed to be a magnet for these sort of people!), yet it's still nice to surprise someone in a new Audi who's been right on your boot lid when going from a 30 zone into an NSL.

I think some people might be missing the point of what a Q car is. To me it's a car that is reasonably quick, yet has unassuming looks and doesn't shout about it's performance to people who aren't car enthusiasts.

That was really the point of the Evo article this month. To look at a range of possible Q-cars, and whether they worked as such.

I agree, the vRS Combi - in a suitably subtle colour, works well in this regard.

I liked the idea of the BMW 550i

Yep, think that was the winner really. Debadge and it could be anything down to a 520d MSport really

407 horses, job done

Yep, think that was the winner really. Debadge and it could be anything down to a 520d MSport really

407 horses, job done

£53k before options?!

Obviously not new Rob! But that's a bit of a bargain compared with a 70k F10 M5

Probably not many of the F10s have come onto the 2nd hand market to get a good feel for values, but they'll hardly hold up well.

If you look at the E60, which featured a 550i as well, you'll see what I mean :yes:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3032804.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3092360.htm

I think reverse badging is the way forwards. In the 90s when everyone was trying to make their BMW 318 look like an M3, I always wanted to get an M3 saloon (nobody really knew they did a 4 door M3) and badge it as a 316 or 318.

I used to own a Vauxhall Nova that started life as 1.2 merit, but had the engine, brakes and gearbox from a 2 litre 16v Astra GSI fitted. The exterior was left the same complete with badges and no bodyfit, only the 14" wheels to accomodate the brakes and lower stance would have given it away. That used to be great fun as it was faster than any of the hot hatches of the day and also surprised a Porsche or two.

Check out the "sleeper" thread on pistonheads. Lots of similar vehicles. Royal Nail van is my fav. Red escort panel van ex Mail, tatty as hell but running a cosworth motor.

On a similar vein i've considered a "greenline" badge for mine..

At least EVO give the VRS some exposure unlike many of the other so called 'Car' mags. Still enjoying the relative anonymity much like I did when I had a Jetta 16v all those years ago!

At least EVO give the VRS some exposure unlike many of the other so called 'Car' mags. Still enjoying the relative anonymity much like I did when I had a Jetta 16v all those years ago!

The vrs got plenty of exposure when it first came out 5 or so years ago.

I think reverse badging is the way forwards. In the 90s when everyone was trying to make their BMW 318 look like an M3, I always wanted to get an M3 saloon (nobody really knew they did a 4 door M3) and badge it as a 316 or 318.

Has been done on here a few times, and to good effect. There have been quite a few Octy Mk1 vRS '1.4s'