The november issue of EVO magazine dropped through my door this morning - with a review of the new vRS.

Pretty good review with a 4 out of 5 star rating.

Though the new Focus SVT looks like challenging it for value for money.

Looking forward to reading that tonight then. The Focus is a lot smaller though, so I can't see that being a fair comparison?

Haven't got my November issue. :( . Come to think of it, I didn't get my October one yet either

I will look forward to reading that - should have it through my door by now

Read it last night. Pretty much say its like the golf but with a bigger boot and cheaper.

Need to wait for a group test me thinks. Say against the Focus ST.

Just a thought but if the focus uses a volvo engine does that mean it could be remapped to silly amounts of bhp?

Read it last night. Pretty much say its like the golf but with a bigger boot and cheaper.

But didn't they give the Golf 5-stars? So why only 4 for the Octy?

But didn't they give the Golf 5-stars? So why only 4 for the Octy?

Every review I have read so far specifically refers to the Golf GTI and say the octavia vRS is better.

So I agree.Why 4 stars?

I still havent received my copy :(. May have to pick up the phone and shout at someone...

Every review I have read so far specifically refers to the Golf GTI and say the octavia vRS is better.

So I agree.Why 4 stars?

Let's be honest here, WRONG BADGE! The journos are worried they won't be taken seriously if they rate a Skoda above a VW, and that will affect circulation, and therefore their salaries... It's often the same with "knowledgeable" car journalists - they give the public the articles they want to read, and mostly just seem to confirm what the public already think. This was why it was such a nice change to see the Fabia vRS get some attention when it came out!

4 star because of the badge. But would like to see a group test with the 2 in.

Depends who spends most on advertising in their mag - bigger spend = better reviews of product. VWs / Audis also cost more than Skodas, so VAG will try to keep the VW and Audi brands at the top by gentle suggestion. The reviewers might think a certain way, but it all goes through an editor before print, and he/she has a responsibility to keep his advertising customers happy. Its all a con.

I don't buy the idea that Evo would be swayed by such things. They seem to have a strong sense of integrity when it comes to reviews, and they're usually very honest.

I don't buy the idea that Evo would be swayed by such things. They seem to have a strong sense of integrity when it comes to reviews, and they're usually very honest.

I disagree - I think even their name suggests a certain amount of market-oriented bias! They obviously lean towards the 'premium performance' end of the market, just like Max Power cater for their particular audience. Thus if you have two cars that are essentially identical (the Golf GTI and the Octavia vRS), the Golf is the one with the premium image, where as the Octy is going to be viewed as a budget alternative.

Thus **** for the Octy and ***** for the Golf, even though the Octy offers more or less the same performance, a more practical car, similar build quality and much better value for money...

The Evo staff famously said that the Focus RS was cr*p when every other publication was drooling over it. A mass complaint by their readers forced a 're-evaluation' of the car. That's journalistic integrity for you.

The Evo staff famously said that the Focus RS was cr*p when every other publication was drooling over it.

Same about the Civic Type R.

No badge snobbery at Evo Magazine, then...

Haven't got my copy yet either. Seen the article though as it was shown to me by someone who bought it in a shop. Phoned them up tonight and they said sorry and I should have it tomorrow.

Evo's head office is next to the football ground we train on tonight so maybe if I knock on the door they'll let me have a copy (or a test drive in a Ferrari as compensation!)

cheers

derek

The Evo staff famously said that the Focus RS was cr*p when every other publication was drooling over it. A mass complaint by their readers forced a 're-evaluation' of the car. That's journalistic integrity for you.

That's not quite true. They went back and re-reviewed an actual customer car, and they found it radically different to the press car they'd reviewed.

And yes, they review cars based on their ability and driveability first, and on equipment, build quality, etc... second. If you want the "other kind" of review, then buy What Car? :p

Read the review now.Not bad but I am a bit disappointed with evo.The article to me smacked of 'well it's a skoda' 'would you be brave enough' type thing.

Grow up evo .You should be well beyond that sort of stuff.How about telling readers something more along the lines of what some other mag said.'buy the golf instead and you are simply a snob buying a lesser car,stop being so stuck up your bum and pretty car ignorant you fool'.Didn't seem that impartial to me when they still talk about the badge/image and not concentrate on the car

OK,it just said buy golf= you are a snob

Probably I just read the article too quickly

The magazine Bilsport did a test on the new Octavia when two new RS was in Sweden after the Frankfurt motorshow.

They tested it on a superstage liked the one in the Top Gear television program you have in UK.

The new Octy is the fasted front drive car they have tested on the track.

Even faster than Volvo S60R and the Golf R32.

They think it