Just spent the day at the Frankfurt Motor show, The new vRS looks fantastic in the flesh (or should that be metal?). It brought back all the memories of my vRS Rally

The new interior is far better when you see it, the light coloured Alcantara is actually grey, the centre of the seats is black mesh & is really very comfortable, so is the driving position.

I picked up a copy of the brochure, spec & price list, Germany usually has virtually nothing as standard, but the options list is very small, no Xenons, Esp, Tyre Pressure Monitors or 18" alloys are available, they are all included at 25,990 Euros.(+1000 estate)

Some examples of options are as follows : (Euros)

Alarm inc various sensors 200

Hill hold control for ESP(?) 80

Front & Rear Park Sensors 590 (320 rear only)

Electric Sunfroof 770

Bluetooth Factory Phone kit 290

Metallic Paint 145

"Audience" stereo upgrade with 6 disc & MP3 port 330

12 Speaker & Digital Equaliser upgrade for "Audience" 280

Sat Nav 1550.

Seems a bargain !!

Also had a look at the Focus ST220, fit & finish poor in comparison, priced at a shade under 25000 Euros, but the one they had on the stand with toys was top side of 30,000 Euros, I lent on the centre armrest & broke the bracket, I am not sure who was more embarassed, me or the saleswoman showing me the car !!

Hill hold control for ESP(?) 80

That would suggest an electronic parking brake (hand brake) as in the new shape passat where you get a button instead of an actual handbrake?

Seems cheap for such an option!

OK I found the bit about the Hill Hold Control, it mentions it in the initial press release on the Octavia section on here. It is an assistant the prevents roll back on a hill. You press the button when stationary then when you release the handbrake the brakes stay on until you take the weight of the car on the engine/gearbox it then gradually releases as you move away.

Clever !