Just looking at pictures of the new vRS and I got to thinking, why didn't they make it 4x4? I think they should have with the mk1 and now they've decided to go with fwd again on the new vRS.

Doesn't make sense, the fastest Octy ever was the WRC, and it was 4x4 so when not the fastest Octy commercially available?

I remember a review of the mk1 Ocy vRS by Clarkson on Topgear around release date. I'm sure as my mother is Jewish African that he said it was 4wd and it rated it next to the BMW M3 and and Audi S4.

As far as I know only the elegance came in four wheel drive, eveything else is front.

African Jewish, Ring you mam, she might be holding the truth from you either about her religion or her origins!

cos it would be slower if it was 4x4.

todanova.... Mothers many tings maan! :)

Rallyred.....you forgot the customary AK74 assualt rifle in your conquest to mod your car. It's a must have in the boot of your eastern block motor!

OTs not 4x4 as VW doesnt want Skodas outselling Audi's... thus they deliberatley dummed down the susp/ brakes / engines (more so in the mkII).

Unfortunatly forthem many people spotted you could restore the lost power and change ths susp/brakes and effectively make a 4x4 vRS.

Had they made one for real with vRS levels of spec and an uprated haldex controller it would have sold very well..... but given say a 2k premium over the std car (so 16-17k) would have seriously hurt r32 / s3 / s4 sales.

Fabia would also be very nice with 4x4

OTs not 4x4 as VW doesnt want Skodas outselling Audi's... thus they deliberatley dummed down the susp/ brakes / engines (more so in the mkII).

Unfortunatly forthem many people spotted you could restore the lost power and change ths susp/brakes and effectively make a 4x4 vRS.

Had they made one for real with vRS levels of spec and an uprated haldex controller it would have sold very well..... but given say a 2k premium over the std car (so 16-17k) would have seriously hurt r32 / s3 / s4 sales.

So they would start to lose money to the competition' date=' which is themselves?

They could hurt the brand's name, so that might be the real reason, but in the end the money goes to the same pockets

Fabia would also be very nice with 4x4

They should drop-in the 2.0T FSI and the haldex in the fabia vrs for a TRUE rally homologation version of the car, but again, the price/performance ratio would be too good for VW or Audi to compete.

I recon the new Octavia will be Skoda's next Rally Car It will have Super Power and will be 4X4. Then in a couple of years or so the vRS will be 4X4....Just in time for the Face lift.................................I think anyway..

I recon the new Octavia will be Skoda's next Rally Car

No way - it's far too big.

No way - it's far too big.

They should use Superb instead

cos it would be slower if it was 4x4.

Well what about the WRC then?

Skoda will always be the budget brand. Luke warm.

Seat the so called sporty brand.

Vw for {wannabe} middle class w*nkers and Audi for the ones who can afford it.

Check the resale values... it says it all.

What a shame.

Steve

So does this mean, if you really want a true performance Octy, you need to buy the 4x4, and uprate the brakes, get it chipped, change the front bumber, seats, steering wheel and dials? Or is it cheaper to do it the other way around? And just fit the Haldex to the vRS?

If you did it either way, would you end up with something as good as say, the S4? Anyone got any idea how much that would cost?

or has ony one ever done it? For that matter and are there pictures?

So does this mean' date=' if you really want a true performance Octy, you need to buy the 4x4, and uprate the brakes, get it chipped, change the front bumber, seats, steering wheel and dials? Or is it cheaper to do it the other way around? And just fit the Haldex to the vRS?

If you did it either way, would you end up with something as good as say, the S4? Anyone got any idea how much that would cost?[/quote']

Buy an S4 and save yer self a whole lotta ****.

Or get an Evo.

Steve

or has ony one ever done it? For that matter and are there pictures?

Several people here have walked the 4x4->vRS road, there must be loads of pictures around. I personally didn't bother with the bodykit but did most of the performance bits (engine, suspension, wheels, interior) for money only just above the price of a standard vRS. It helped that the 4x4 was actually cheaper here in NL (one of the few EU countries where it was, AFAIK). Some, notably Stuart_J, went further than that, though (exhaust, brakes, strut braces, etc.).

No one has ever tried the opposite, as it's near impossible to fit the Haldex system and the 4x4's independent rear suspension to the vRS underbody, which is totally different to the 4x4's.

or has ony one ever done it? For that matter and are there pictures?

Check my gallery, a few pictures can be found in there.

Nice job Ed,

Looks fantastic, did you change the steering wheel and dials as well?

Is it simply a question of changing the disks and calipers?

Where did you locate the frint grille & Rims?

As you can see, I don't know much!

Nice job Ed' date='

Looks fantastic, did you change the steering wheel and dials as well?

Is it simply a question of changing the disks and calipers?

Where did you locate the frint grille & Rims?

As you can see, I don't know much![/quote']

Interior is R32 seats and steering wheel + other small stuff, dash lighting is all VW (There's a how-to on this forum which I wrote).

I fitted Brembo front brakes and R32 rear brakes. vRS front brakes would be cheaper and easier as the calipers are the same you just need the discs and caliper carriers.

Front bumper is available from the dealer or JHM Buttco. IIRC it a smidge over

Cheers Ed,

My 4x4 is totally stock, but I'm thinking about tampering with it, but I don't have a location (or clue) to do it. YET! I'm learning all the time.

You know anything about SatNav, is it possible to get the factory one installed? Although from looking through the manual it looks a bit crap, what alternatives are there?

I installed VW satnav as it's the look I wanted and I'm happy with how it works, again pics are in my gallery. It also quite neatly links up to my VW instrument cluster for displaying directions on the panel between the speedo and rev counter.

You can pick up a VW/Skoda Sat nav unit for £400-600 including wiring loom and GPS aerial.

Bravo Ed,

Just spotted those interior pictures now, looks really good.

So you have the headunit (with screen), steering wheel, and dials from an R32? Where did you get the parts ( in fact, where might I get the parts?)

Is it possible to fit the head unit and leave the dials (I don't think I'd be able to do that) and still get the SatNav to work?

Bravo Ed' date='

Just spotted those interior pictures now, looks really good.

So you have the headunit (with screen), steering wheel, and dials from an R32? Where did you get the parts ( in fact, where might I get the parts?)

Is it possible to fit the head unit and leave the dials (I don't think I'd be able to do that) and still get the SatNav to work?[/quote']

Satnav will work without the dials you just won't get the extra display.

Try satnavsystems or a seller on ebay called bodycarstyling for the satnav if you are keeping the standard dials etc.. make sure you buy a skoda unit so it matches. Steering wheel you can get for around

fitting a 4x4 system ain't gonna happen to the vRS unless you rebuild the car including the floorpan, 4x4 easily surpasses a standard vRS with a little money

i've done most things to my 4x4 now, just need the big turbo conversion and fit a 6 speed box and i'm well away