Autocar magazines website has some pics of the new vRS going round the ring if anyone is interested

:-)

Ross

As do 2 or 3 threads in this section.

There's a video on YouTube, pretty sure it's a RS Mk3 (but again with disguised bumper trim and front foglights)

Looks nice

As do 2 or 3 threads in this section.

Yeh i spotted the auto express thread after however it had different pics to the Autocar one, as for the other ones i havent seen them.RossM, thanks i havent seen that video yet

thanks i havent seen that video yet

No problem I've been checking YouTube every week for new videos matching "octavia iii vrs".

Going to have a look for some videos of the new Golf GTI on the ring as well. Apparently it's new e-diff shaved 8-seconds off a circuit. Would be interesting to see how it corners compared to the Octavia III vRS doing the same. Might also give a clue whether the Octavia has the e-diff as well.

The new vRS almost certainly will not get the e-diff, big brakes or a power upgrade, that will be reserved for the Golf only.

The Performance Pack is only available on the GTI though not the GTD, so if u were comparing VRS Diesel to a GTD it wouldn't be a factor.

Why anyone would want want to spend 25-30k on a Golf is beyond me when you can get so much more for that money.

Edited 4 May, 201313 yr by Ultima

The Performance Pack is only available on the GTI though not the GTD, so if u were comparing VRS Diesel to a GTD it wouldn't be a factor.

Why anyone would want want to spend 25-30k on a Golf is beyond me when you can get so much more for that money.

As a hot hatch the Golf Mk 7 GTI is probably the best out there now, with the performance pack it will be a much better drivers car than the Octavia VRS - VW will make sure of that, although with options taking the price north of £30k I'd put my money into a BMW 135i. But where do you stop? A BMW 135i fully loaded is nearly £40k - and you are then into good low mileage Porsche territory.

The VW Golf GTD and the Octavia VRS with the same engine will probably be a closer match, but I still suspect that the VRS would be inferior.

Edited 4 May, 201313 yr by Timoctav

Here's a M135i for 27.5K: http://www.autotrade...g?logcode=ucnnp

The current best hot hatches rated by the car mags are the Megane RS 265 and the Focus ST. Are there any group tests available yet including the new Golf GTI?

The Golf will always be rated better than Octavia but unless your driving on the limit all the time, are you really going to notice? Tiff Needell did a track test several years ago comparing the Golf GTI to the VRS, he described the differences between them and found the Golf to be one second quicker around the track, but his conclusion was that it wasn't enough to warrant the extra £3k or so for the Golf.

Edited 4 May, 201313 yr by Ultima

Here's a M135i for 27.5K: http://www.autotrade...g?logcode=ucnnp

The current best hot hatches rated by the car mags are the Megane RS 265 and the Focus ST. Are there any group tests available yet including the new Golf GTI?

The Golf will always be rated better than Octavia but unless your driving on the limit all the time, are you really going to notice? Tiff Needell did a track test several years ago comparing the Golf GTI to the VRS, he described the differences between them and found the Golf to be one second quicker around the track, but his conclusion was that it wasn't enough to warrant the extra £3k or so for the Golf.

There are indeed. Car magazine gave the performance pack GTI 5 stars and said its the best all round hot hatch available to today and possibly the best GTi ever, Autocar put it up against the Focus ST and it beat it by an unexpected margin...even said it was the more fun better handling car.

Its not all about power for some people. I confess 320hp for 30ish K is a tremendous amount of bang per buck and I know how great the 3.0 turbo BM engines are as my Dad had a 135i M Sport a couple of years ago but its not as driver focused as it could have been......no mechanical/e-diff, ride not great unless you spec the adaptive suspension, the auto is better and quicker than the manual car and spec wise other than Xenons, Leather and Bluetooth its a bit sparse.......a nice spec performance pack GTI costs 28k.......a nice spec M135i costs 37k........I am talking new of course.

I reckon a remapped performance pack MK7 would be immense.

There are indeed. Car magazine gave the performance pack GTI 5 stars and said its the best all round hot hatch available to today and possibly the best GTi ever, Autocar put it up against the Focus ST and it beat it by an unexpected margin...even said it was the more fun better handling car.

Its not all about power for some people. I confess 320hp for 30ish K is a tremendous amount of bang per buck and I know how great the 3.0 turbo BM engines are as my Dad had a 135i M Sport a couple of years ago but its not as driver focused as it could have been......no mechanical/e-diff, ride not great unless you spec the adaptive suspension, the auto is better and quicker than the manual car and spec wise other than Xenons, Leather and Bluetooth its a bit sparse.......a nice spec performance pack GTI costs 28k.......a nice spec M135i costs 37k........I am talking new of course.

I reckon a remapped performance pack MK7 would be immense.

I've seen reviews of the Golf GTI on those sites but not any comparison tests, have u got any links?

Plus, has anyone put it up against Autocar's top hot hatch, the RenaultSport Megane 265, current holder of fastest FWD time around the Nurburgring (M135i slaughters it in a straight line though!).

Edited 4 May, 201313 yr by Ultima

I've seen reviews of the Golf GTI on those sites but not any comparison tests, have u got any links?

Plus, has anyone put it up against Autocar's top hot hatch, the RenaultSport Megane 265, current holder of fastest FWD time around the Nurburgring (M135i slaughters it in a straight line though!).

No unfortunately not, definitely in this weeks (maybe last weeks now) Autocar magazine. Very good review, basically the Golf is the all round better drive but the ST does have slightly stronger low end go/flexibility.

Full lap of the 'ring onboard:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeVL-9NXAq4