So I have now had my vRS for 3 days and after reading everyone else's comments on here in the past weeks while I have been waiting for it, thought I would share a few thoughts and pics myself. Given I live in Luxembourg, some of the points I mention might upset those of you in the UK (especially those of you waiting months for one), but I will mention them more for info and to show the apparent disparity between Skoda UK and Skoda Europe practices.

 

Car was ordered on 27th January and within a week was given BW12 and an indication of first or second week of April delivery, which given I collected it on Thursday morning was absolutely spot on. Was never any indication that this was subject to change or wasn't going to be met. After reading on here about the possible re-scheduling of vRS production and increased times, I spoke to the dealer and was told they weren't aware of anything that would impact delivery times and that the original 10-12 weeks from order to delivery would stand. (I will say however that the dealer did say when I collected it this week that delivery times had changed due to the huge demand, and they were now approx. 20 weeks if I ordered one today)

 

The car is a 2.0TFSI manual vRS Hatch in Black Magic Pearl with black pack and sunset glass. Options added were Columbus Nav, Canton, KESSY, full leather, 230v power socket, spare wheel. Due to the way the combination of options were added in form of a 'pack', Gemini alloys and heated seats front and back were lumped in also.

 

There are a few differences in spec between UK and Luxembourg spec cars and there are a couple of items that are standard on mine that I think are options or not available on UK spec. Standard items include normal cruise control (not ACC), auto folding mirrors, heated washer jets, while items such as heated rear seats, 230v sockets are available as options. The only thing that is missing that I would have liked is DAB radio, but given coverage isn't that great in Lux, I can live without that being a potentially expensive option, but would have been useful for my regular trips back to UK.

 

I appreciate they have to build cars and spec them for different markets, but it does seem strange the spec, the options and the packs available are so different between UK and European cars. OK the big difference is where the steering wheel is, but surely that can't make much difference as to why for example heated rear seats or auto folding mirrors are offered or not. Maybe Skoda UK needs to align its specs more closely with the European models to help the supply issues?

 

First impressions after a couple of days of ownership? Well i'm very impressed I have to say. it feels very solid, well put together and is of at least equal, if not better quality to the Audis I've owned in the past. Ride comfort is also very good, firm but never uncomfortable and always feels composed over even very broken surfaces. The test car I drove was on 17in rims given it had winter tyres on, and felt stiff enough, hence the reason why I didn't go for the 19in rims. However now I have my 18in on summer tyres I don't think the 19in would have been an issue.

 

Performance wise, obviously I am being careful given its new, so not giving it the berries too much, but am impressed with the way it goes. Certainly night and day difference to my last car here in Lux (Nissan Juke for reference), but not far off what my old Audi 4.2 S4 that I had when back in the UK was. Not as quick as my old TVR Cerbera in straight line, but the composure and confidence the vRS gives on back roads means it is likely to be the much quicker point to point car. With the use of the full rev range once run-in, I am sure there are not many cars that can be hustled along not only with the same speed, but with the same ride comfort. 

 

MPG - Great that the computer allows you to display things in different units, so even though everything is in KM/H over here, being a native Brit, I still think in MPG rather than l/100km. From a mixed journey this afternoon, some town, mostly A road, and then a motorway blast, had averaged (according to trip computer so realise it is potentially suspect) about 35mpg, which I was well chuffed with. Especially for a new engine just being run-in. That wasn't driving like a nun either, it was being respectful to the engine, brakes and tyres etc, but was very much on the quick side of average

 

Equipment - still finding my way around all the options with the Columbus unit so might have to report back on that later. I do love the 3D maps that actually show the pics of buildings. Have copied a load of music into the Jukebox and might be my imagination, but the sound quality when reading from the jukebox seems better than when reading the same files from the USB stick - more investigation into file formats etc are needed I think, as the difference between different bit-rate sampling of mp3 is noticeable upon playback - the stuff on my USB stick had come from various sources.

 

Sound generator - I know there seems to be universal hatred of it on here, but so far, I like it. A couple of friends I gave a lift to also love the sound of it. I know having a TVR in the past means I am probably more susceptible to liking a loud and noisy engine, but it seems to add a bit of character to the car. Will possibly change my mind once I have done a long motorway cruise for a few hours as I can imagine it could get a little drone-y. Although isn't that what Canton is for to help drown out the noise...........

 

So in summary of this long post, I love it, and for all those of you waiting for your car to arrive, I can certainly say stick with it as it is a cracking car once you get your hands on it.

 

A few pics taken earlier today, so not pristine clean anymore, and as the flies squashed on the front of it show, it is certainly made for driving!

 

 

Good looking motor, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Lovely looking motor with good spec, totally agree that the differences in spec across the water is daft, why we can't get some of the stuff mentioned in the UK is beyond me!!

 

Do I detect no paddles on the steering wheel though,.........??

Thanks for the kind comments.

 

Do I detect no paddles on the steering wheel though,.........??

 

It's a manual, so no paddles behind the wheel.

Thanks for the kind comments.

 

 

It's a manual, so no paddles behind the wheel.

Doh,.........should stop drinking the cider