Octavia vRS Mk3 Pics - They're finally here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[K1W1]

Hmmm, the grey vRS estate in the photo doesn't have roof rails...is that a new option?

It may well be in some countries. What you get as standard depends on what the local importer or subsidiary decides the local market needs.
In the UK for example Skodas are almost poverty pack in their base form and virtually everything is an option whereas in NZ they generally have more standard features than the Australian models.

You may also want to note that the hatch in the last photo has the external mirrors folded but none of the wagons do. That may indicate an option for power folding mirrors.

[k_rider]

I kinda like that green wagon... A lot more than I thought I would.

Agree that it does look a bit "plainer" than the photos on the Skoda website. The good thing is (IMHO) is that it doesn't look like the circus that is an MPS, EVO or WRX. Definitely a 'Q car'. Bring 'em on!

[woofy]

I actually prefer the front bumper from the non RS, compared to the MkII they have switched them around, ie the RS looks bland but the other models look nicer.

[zei20t]

give me a green sedan anyday. but although the white wagon had HSV wheels, I prefer them to the ones above.

if we all wait 3-4 years, there will probably be a facelift model released.

[Transporter]

Probably much more people had to like it than not, if that design made it to production.

I like the new look better than the old one, almost from every angle.

[woofy]

Overall, yes I do prefer the new one. The front headlights if nothing else, why they didn't fix that with the FL for the Mk II I will never know.

I didn't realise that the Melb car show has been called off this year. I was looking forward to seeing these and the Rapid there, guess there will be no local launching point for them now. I personally think they just need to dump Sydney from the picture and just bring back Melb as an annual event. The melb show was cheaper to run and had good attendance, it was the Sydney show causing trouble. And no wonder, everything at Darling Harbour is doomed from the ridiculous charges they have there let alone anything else. I'm honestly surprised noone has pushed them to lower their charges, or build an alternate site somewhere cheaper. We see a lot of conferences skipping Sydney now as it's just not feasible anymore. We don't need international cars coming in, people just want to be able to look at all makes in one place.

Anyway rant aside, how are Skoda going to launch these? And if its the TDU, they clearly have NFI of the market that would actually buy them.

[K1W1]

They cancelled the car show three or four months ago primarily because Hyundai and wait for it...VW would not commit to attending.
The day of the major Australian car show is over now I'm afraid. The end of manufacturing here and the rise of the Chinese market now means that Shanghai is the replacement for Australia.
The Internet and video streaming mean that nothing is new or unseen by the time it gets here anyway.
I think what we will see in future are smaller vendor specific events where say VW may bring out a couple of prototype vehicles and tour them around major metro dealerships with associated invites to owners to special showings and the hoohah that goes with that sort of thing.

[mmmRacer]

They cancelled the car show three or four months ago primarily because Hyundai and wait for it...VW would not commit to attending.
The day of the major Australian car show is over now I'm afraid. The end of manufacturing here and the rise of the Chinese market now means that Shanghai is the replacement for Australia.
The Internet and video streaming mean that nothing is new or unseen by the time it gets here anyway.
I think what we will see in future are smaller vendor specific events where say VW may bring out a couple of prototype vehicles and tour them around major metro dealerships with associated invites to owners to special showings and the hoohah that goes with that sort of thing.

A lot of car companies are now setting up booths at different trade shows now because it is cheaper and they can target their market better. Example:- At this years dental trade show in Melbourne they had a BMW stand and Mercedes cars in the hotel lobbys.

My guess is you could see the new Skoda's maybe at the bicycle trade show in Melbourne this October. But then again looking at bicycle manufactures that are going to be at that show it could be cancelled too. The only major bicycle brand that will be there is Giant, which is like going to a car show that only has Toyota.

[brad]

I personally think they just need to dump Sydney from the picture and just bring back Melb as an annual event. The melb show was cheaper to run and had good attendance, it was the Sydney show causing trouble. And no wonder, everything at Darling Harbour is doomed from the ridiculous charges they have there let alone anything else. I'm honestly surprised noone has pushed them to lower their charges, or build an alternate site somewhere cheaper. We see a lot of conferences skipping Sydney now as it's just not feasible anymore.

Homebush is the alternate site for trade shows, etc

[zei20t]

They cancelled the car show three or four months ago primarily because Hyundai and wait for it...VW would not commit to attending.
The day of the major Australian car show is over now I'm afraid. The end of manufacturing here and the rise of the Chinese market now means that Shanghai is the replacement for Australia.
The Internet and video streaming mean that nothing is new or unseen by the time it gets here anyway.
I think what we will see in future are smaller vendor specific events where say VW may bring out a couple of prototype vehicles and tour them around major metro dealerships with associated invites to owners to special showings and the hoohah that goes with that sort of thing.

the world is changing, so much so that I actually agree with you on this one.

[woofy]

It depends on whether you are set for one model or narrowing it down. It's always been easier to do the narrowing it down at the show.

My boss thinks conferences are not worth us doing trade displays anymore due to the electronic age, but there are intangibles that can't be covered by the website etc.

We are in quite a different area though, people can't just turn up and chat to us.

[Tigger]

I want one now!!!!
In green, with black tint and black roof rails!

A wagon of course!!!!

Now!!!!!!! I can't wait!!!!!

[woofy]

I'm due to start looking by the end of next year, unless there is a promo to get one drastically cheaper and it has the specs I want, I probably will wait until mid the folllowing year and order one in. I'm toying with the idea of getting a 2 or 3 yr old Lexus 250c though....

[K1W1]

I'm due to start looking by the end of next year, unless there is a promo to get one drastically cheaper and it has the specs I want,

There will be the usual February Skoda promo I guess as they have run one every year so far. What you need to do is convince a dealer to get a car in for stock with the specs that you want that arrives in Feb and is unsold . It should be easy to do.

[dArK5HaD0w]

this one looks nice. tis for sale in austria..........