From my perspective i can not see why anyone is comparing the Octy VRS with the Golf. They may share the same platform and engines, but from there on in they are two totally different cars.

If you only have need of a small car then go buy a Golf, you'll love it and have lots of fun. If however you need something with more room both in terms of load lugging and passenger space then you'll probably want an Octy.

There are several threads across Briskoda where I have decried the anticipated huge cost increase of the new Octy, especially when you factor in the that cars bought in the last two to three years have been on the 0% VAT deal so quite an increase now. I also said that if the price was too high then i would have to look elsewhere, probably to the premium brands in the similar price range. So what do we have; Golf GTi, Audi A3 Sportback S Line, Mercedes A Class or BMW 1. So Thursday at Goodwood was a fantastic time to have a look at all the possibilities, and frankly I was very disappointed. Not on the level of equipment or engine choice but purely on the size and the ability to carry stuff with four adults in comfort. It was at this point the penny dropped, the Octy really is in a different class and there really isn't anything to compare it with. Golf estate would be close but is not available in GTi or GTD spec so you can have a warm one but not the full on one. I could go Ford or Vauxhall but I do not want the same uninteresting box as others, or go further upmarket to the A4, 3 Series or C class but then you are spending a lot more cash for the same performance. (I did also take a look at the Leon and the Alfa Giulietta and just laughed at the paltry boot space).

So, remembering that this is my opinion which I suspect some will undoubtedly say is wrong, the VRS fills a niche in being able to provide something a little sporty while still being able to be a load lugger. I am almost set on going and placing an order for one, just need to convince myself I need a new car. Well I do really need to get a diesel, 25,000 miles plus in the Fabia VRS a year is just too much.

I don't buy a car by specific manufacturer or size down to the nearest 10mm

Both golf and octy will be big enough for me, one is more expensive one is quicker but only at the limit. I choose cars that ride, drive and handle well but the car is got to look good for my taste! Just because one has. 400litre boot and one has a 500litre boot isn't a deal breaker for 90% of car buyers

When we went up Goodwood hill in Car One (Blue Hatch tsi) there was a distinct lack of sound from the exhaust from within the car. Both my Tfsi and CR TDI sound better as standard. I thought they supposed to have some clever electronic sound effect played through the speakers. If so its so subtle its not noticeable or was switched off on our run. It probably didn't help that we followed the Ferrari off the start line which sounded amazing!!!

@Scribbler, being well sound insulated must be a good thing for a family car isn't it? The sound generator I think will be available for the TDI engine (like on the Golf GTD).

 

Don't get us all started with Ferrari stories! :P

When we went up Goodwood hill in Car One (Blue Hatch tsi) there was a distinct lack of sound from the exhaust from within the car. Both my Tfsi and CR TDI sound better as standard. I thought they supposed to have some clever electronic sound effect played through the speakers. If so its so subtle its not noticeable or was switched off on our run. It probably didn't help that we followed the Ferrari off the start line which sounded amazing!!!

On the last run of the day I watched the cars take off from the start. The Octy vRS was nearly as quiet from outside as the VW XL1 thingy that went a few cars later!!!

@Scribbler, being well sound insulated must be a good thing for a family car isn't it? The sound generator I think will be available for the TDI engine (like on the Golf GTD).

 

Don't get us all started with Ferrari stories! :p

 

Respectfully Disagree,  I don't go over 3k revs if my wife an kids are in the car. But when they aren't I am barely below 3k revs and I like to hear the exhaust note.

On the last run of the day I watched the cars take off from the start. The Octy vRS was nearly as quiet from outside as the VW XL1 thingy that went a few cars later!!!

 

Yeah it was a little disappointing there should be some noise to remind you of the fact your motoring or it becomes a bit passive.

Just got back from a 2 days at Goodwood! It was great the weather, cars, atmosphere - perfect!

 

I enjoyed our vip refreshments for showing my Skoda key! I did notice a few people gathered to the left of me on the sun terrace but wasn't sure if they were fellow Brisky members!? 

 

Liked the new vRS very much, although theres a few things that seem to be missing to make it that little bit more special. I still think the MK2 had more time spent on it? 

 

I looked at a few of the tail pipes and it looks as if the tdi's have the false pipe, and the tsi does indeed have the one on either side. Strange though, but not a rare thing for people to do for example the Signum has a dummy pipe, and Civic etc... It was strange they showed the 19s and not mention them at all in the launch brochure we received. btw they looked fantastic! 

 

Anyone else notice there was at least 2 Octavia vRS's on each row in the car park...I couldn't believe how many there were! The rarest colours were 2 Sprint Yellow ones including mine and one Rallye Green one!

Edited 13 July, 201312 yr by Leon-y-k

Just seen my first vRS in the Lincoln showroom, an estate TSI in race blue; very taken by it myself.

 

Noted the spare was a full blown VAG skinny though :(

 

Oh the TSI exhaust is one pipe that splits into two just before the spare wheel well.

 

TP

Took my dealers one for a little spin this afternoon and felt very nice. Only did 10 or so miles but they were around the country lanes

Apparently, dealers have not been sent any diesels (or at least not in their group) :( so only had the 2.0 TFSI, the sales manager told me he is going to order a diesel as soon as the book opens on Wednesday.

Quick?

I'm guessing you weren't there on Thursday ?  If you were, one of those yellows could have been mine.

Apparently, dealers have not been sent any diesels (or at least not in their group) :( so only had the 2.0 TFSI, the sales manager told me he is going to order a diesel as soon as the book opens on Wednesday.

Some dealers do already have diesels.

Some dealers do already have diesels.

Where???

Various ones around the country. Our site sponsor has had one now for a few days.

I'm guessing you weren't there on Thursday ?  If you were, one of those yellows could have been mine.

I was parked probrably on row 20/22 I noticed another yellow one in the first set of cars closest to the gates for ease of access into the event?

Well spotted. Although in a sea of blue, grey, boring and boring , it wouldn't be difficult....

Parkers' review - also very positive about the car:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/skoda/octavia/vrs-2013/

A cut & paste from the Skoda web-site a few minutes ago.

 

• 2.0 TSI 220 PS £22,990
•  
• 2.0 TSI 220 PS DSG £24,380
•  
• 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DPF £23,260
•  
• 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DSG DPF £26,650

 

£3,400 extra for DSG on the diesel!!!  Hopefully that's a mistake and it should be £24,650 .  Or is the price for a manual diesel wrong (should be £2K more!!!)?

That's good because the one im after is the petrol manual. Should be able to get one for about £18k inc extras when im ready for swapping. 

http://autofun.blesk.cz/skoda-octavia-rs-svetova-premiera-v-goodwoodu-12172/

 

Theres a good video on here with the blue hatch/ white combi 

 

Popped over to the local dealer to see if they had one but nothing was there I guess the manager had driven it home! 

A cut & paste from the Skoda web-site a few minutes ago.

 

• 2.0 TSI 220 PS £22,990
•  
• 2.0 TSI 220 PS DSG £24,380
•  
• 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DPF £23,260
•  
• 2.0 TDI CR 184PS DSG DPF £26,650

 

£3,400 extra for DSG on the diesel!!!  Hopefully that's a mistake and it should be £24,650 .  Or is the price for a manual diesel wrotng (should be £2K more!!!)?

I don't think I had seen it for 26k!! That might be a typo? The brochure I had from SUK was 24650 for the dsg TDI

Who ever works on the Skoda UK web site should be shown the door. It really is awful.  They have now reworked the Octavia page and I can't even find the various spec levels. As for the car configuration thats been awful since the car has been released. Do they know realise how useful a tool a good website can be for promoting your car.

 

..or have they just realised they have royally screwed up with all the specs so pulled all the pages with any useful information 

I don't think I had seen it for 26k!! That might be a typo? The brochure I had from SUK was 24650 for the dsg TDI

Yes that I think is the same price Lincoln gave me; seemed suprised when I told them the web site was quoting over 26k

 

 

TP

The web-site is currently a complete mess with messages stating page not found and some links going to the wrong place.  Skoda would do better to take the web-site down and give priority to sorting it out.