Just reading an article on Autosport website saying that the VRS sub-brand could be under threat and looking more favourably at trim upgrades - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/skoda-vrs-models-under-threat

 

Personally, I think they will loose something special if the VRS badge was dropped as they are distinct and instantly recognisable and this is what VRS drivers want. The cars stand on their own and rival the other brands such as VXR, ST, FR/Cupra. Not neccesarliy out and out performance, but look at the load space, the 'fast family car' category, a fast estate........... we all look to the VRS badge.

 

I know L&K are a higher trim level but people still want the fun of throwing the load lugger in to a corner and smiling all the way round, having a fast sunday morning blast and still being able to return 50+mpg when needed!

Edited 4 October, 20169 yr by VRS_Dan

Seems like a misleading headline to me. The article seems to highlight what we know already - Skoda can't shift vRS models that aren't Octavias so they aren't planning any more. If it's a question of demand, then I'm sure the Octavia vRS is going nowhere judging by the massive numbers I see on the roads. 

Well I may be wrong but as far as I'm aware only Octavia and Fabia mk1 and 2 have born the vRS badge.

I thought the mk1 Fabia vRS was a pretty good success but they ruined it with the mk2. No diesel, no manual and lots of horror stories about exploding engines. No wonder the mk2 didn't do well.

On the other hand the Octy in the uk has petrol and diesel, auto and manual and even did 4x4 until it was pulled (I would suspect because it wasn't that popular because it was auto and diesel only).

Had ŠKODA done a 4x4 Octy vRS in manual I may well have been changing the current one for it, despite the myriad of build quality issues. Instead I'm off to BMW.

Edited 4 October, 20169 yr by gullyg

Being part of the VAG group won't be helping.

 

Skoda needs to be put in it's pigeon hole so ensure it doesn't steal sales from VW, Audi or Seat.

TBH I think VAG has too many brands.It really doesn't need Skoda and Seat.

It's not just that they have a lot of brands, it's also that they have a lot of variants of essentially the same thing:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/96219/vw-group-has-a-300-model-range-thats-unmanageable

 

So if the "cheap" versions of something don't sell too well, or rather, don't make them enough profit (eg Seat/Skoda ones) then expect them to disappear while the VW / Audi versions stay on. like no more hot engines for Fabias or Ibiza, but Polo and A1 will. Mii and Citigo continue with cheap and cheerful, but the Up gets plastered with "premium" extras.

 

Not sure how Seat & Skoda would do if they weren't in the same family to share "bits" with.

TBH I think VAG has too many brands.It really doesn't need Skoda and Seat.

I'd wait until they start replacing VW with Skoda dealerships in the US before saying that! There have been a few videos on YouTube of Škodas being driven around the States with the majority of the general public being impressed with the build quality, refinement and technology in the vehicles. They generally state they have never heard of the brand (good for VW as they wouldn't associate it with 'toxic' VW), but would seriously consider buying one.

Petrol VRS, Superb and Kodiaq would fit in there perfectly.

Edited 4 October, 20169 yr by Guest

I thought the mk1 Fabia vRS was a pretty good success but they ruined it with the mk2. No diesel, no manual and lots of horror stories about exploding engines. No wonder the mk2 didn't do well.

 

 

The Fabia MKI Vrs PD was one of the best cars I've ever owned, I've actually had 2. I sometimes wonder why I ever got rid.

 

Mrs G also had the Fabia MKII 180 bhp DSG jobbie, dispite it being fast it was a flop, we got rid and Mrs G then had a Citigo 75 Elegance, now that was a hoot, such a dream to drive........

Edited 4 October, 20169 yr by Auric Goldfinger

TBH I think VAG has too many brands.It really doesn't need Skoda and Seat.

Agreed but if Skoda and Seat are out the question, that leaves Audi and VW meaning they will be more 'premium'. Skoda was always good at bringing more affordability to VAG.

I do wish that Skoda & Skoda UK could just do less spinning on how well the Monte Carlo Trim Vehicles sell, or publish how well they sell in the UK.

They can offer good value, but really with no performance advantages or handling they are just Trim Levels.

Sportline will just be another trim level, and plastic & plastic chrome tat and decals with nice seats and wheels.

Supposedly lower insurance and maintenance costs, but insurance is low because the performance is, and Maindealers charge the same silly service pricing.

 

vRS TDI Octavia with 184 PS TDI's have been something similar, maybe offering more show and no extra go.

 

Audi do not sell many Audi S1, and the Polo GTI, Seat Ibiza Cupra & Audi A1 185 ps Twinchargers were very poor sellers for the VW Group just as the Mk2 Fabia vRS was, 

the only difference was the Skoda outsold all the sister models, not that VW ever publish that.

When I do come to sell my Fabia vRS I'll probably leave Skoda because they don't do anything else that appeals to me. If there was another Fabia vRS I'd be interested in staying but for the time being none of the cars are quick enough, or are too expensive, too big etc.

When I do come to sell my Fabia vRS I'll probably leave Skoda because they don't do anything else that appeals to me. If there was another Fabia vRS I'd be interested in staying but for the time being none of the cars are quick enough, or are too expensive, too big etc.

I have the same general problem; I find it hard to find cars that have the sort of brawny A-road overtaking performance I like without paying out silly money on fuel and in-sewer-ants to get an academic top speed.

I do wish that Skoda & Skoda UK could just do less spinning on how well the Monte Carlo Trim Vehicles sell, or publish how well they sell in the UK.

They can offer good value, but really with no performance advantages or handling they are just Trim Levels.

Sportline will just be another trim level, and plastic & plastic chrome tat and decals with nice seats and wheels.

Supposedly lower insurance and maintenance costs, but insurance is low because the performance is, and Maindealers charge the same silly service pricing.

 

 

Exactly will be concentrating on trim packs only. Perhaps Skoda have realised that they can't compete with Audi (RS) and VW (R Line) vehicles so will focus on the profitable areas of Monte Carol, L&K et al

Profitable is good for them, value for money is good for customers.

 

So honesty is good.

Cut the Motorsport Heritage and success crap,  that is well in the past, All new 3rd generation Fabia or Mk2 Monte Carlo rally inspired design and DNA, using the Monte Carlo as a Trim Name.

There is a Rally Winning Fabia R5 but no small even Warm Hatch, or anything inspiring available to customers, 110ps FWD only...

Motorsport is Good or great advertising for something only on sale to Motorsport Customers & 132,000 Euro or so,

Where has anything from Skoda Motorsport leaked down to Showroom Cars in the past 6 years other than the R5 using a Fabia Bodyshell?

 

Actually good handling small cars is not something Skoda have done for years.

So if they concentrate on Good Value even with the Premium L&K's that is good.

Good Reliability, (not just topping reliability serveys), low emissions (on the road not just in EU Testing) and cars that last 8 years and not just as long as a 5 year production run.

 

The UK is leaving the EU and has a 60 MPH National Speed Limit anyway, so maybe Skoda can lead the way. 

Cars that do very good economy, and low emissions and low running costs and styleee.

So some Hybrid Electrics and decent suspension and steering will be a start.

 

PS

Where did the Mk3 Fabia Scoutline (Estate) get to, not into the UK so far. (Adding a premium, making more profit, maybe if they sell them.)

Another styling exercise and one selling not in the UK.

http://skoda-auto.com/en/models/fabia-combi-scoutline

Maybe raid the Parts Bin, use Yeti parts and give it Part Time AWD, but then it will affect the sales of profitable Octavia, Yeti & other VWG vehicles.

Good size though and might sell well.

Edited 5 October, 20169 yr by Offski

PS 

VW R-Line is just that, best check out R-Line Polo 90 or 110ps or the Golf R-Line with 150ps, so Trim Levels

not to be compared with GTI, R or RS performance models.

Edited 5 October, 20169 yr by Offski

Does seem crazy to kill off the performance arm, especially as I see more vRS badged Octavia's than anything else. To me they need to keep some form of Halo car in the line up, not everyone wants a full on luxury model. Maybe if they kept the vRS moniker as an options package instead, so you could spec your L&K trim level with vRS handling package, sports seats etc after all VW R-Line (as mentioned) Audi S-Line, BMW M-Sport are just trim levels now, with mildly tuned suspension and power settings.

But then the Superb Sportline in 280bhp trim is almost a VRS...so why not give it the badge.

Does seem crazy to kill off the performance arm, especially as I see more vRS badged Octavia's than anything else. To me they need to keep some form of Halo car in the line up, not everyone wants a full on luxury model. Maybe if they kept the vRS moniker as an options package instead, so you could spec your L&K trim level with vRS handling package, sports seats etc after all VW R-Line (as mentioned) Audi S-Line, BMW M-Sport are just trim levels now, with mildly tuned suspension and power settings.

OTOH I see more TDis in the 90 to 130bhp range than anything else.

Agreed but if Skoda and Seat are out the question, that leaves Audi and VW meaning they will be more 'premium'. Skoda was always good at bringing more affordability to VAG.

 

I meant one of, VAG doesn't need Skoda and Seat. But it does need Skoda or Seat for that segment.

 

Skoda was affordable, the VRS was an absolute steal once upon a time. It's not now VAG got greedy.

Does seem crazy to kill off the performance arm, especially as I see more vRS badged Octavia's than anything else. To me they need to keep some form of Halo car in the line up, not everyone wants a full on luxury model. Maybe if they kept the vRS moniker as an options package instead, so you could spec your L&K trim level with vRS handling package, sports seats etc after all VW R-Line (as mentioned) Audi S-Line, BMW M-Sport are just trim levels now, with mildly tuned suspension and power settings.

 

I said before - I think the headline is misleading, and I don't think they are saying they're killing off the vRS brand at all, just not expanding it beyond the Octy for the foreseeable.

When I do come to sell my Fabia vRS I'll probably leave Skoda because they don't do anything else that appeals to me. If there was another Fabia vRS I'd be interested in staying but for the time being none of the cars are quick enough, or are too expensive, too big etc.

 

Same here - and I have done. I had the Fabia vRS in for a service a year or two ago; one of the salesman asked me whether I was interested in the new Mk3 Fabia? Simple answer - No. There is no vRS variant, and I don't need a big car, so the Octavia is out of the question. 

 

Test drove a Cooper S, but ended up with an Abarth 595 Competizione.....