Great review, thanks. I think you can add one more thing - although the Octavia looks like a 3 box sedan with a boot, it's actually a hatch back which for families with pets and kids is a real selling point - easy, knee level access to the load area is definitely a factor in this type of purchase. The other clever thing is something they have borrowed from hot Audi and BMW models - at sedate speeds, although the ride is still firm, it is manageable and the car feels comfortable, and reasonably quiet - only when you accelerate through the gears does the sports performance really kick in. Again this is important for mainstream drivers as you have to live with it practically - the commute in traffic to work, long motorway runs etc. If you have ever owned a Mitsubishi Evo or a Subaru Sti you will know what I mean - they are a pain to live with as a daily after a while - harsh, bumpy, loud gets old quickly. With this car you get the best of both worlds.
NO as a track car it isn't otherwise it would have faster track times.. New type R breaks track records. Not just in the 2.0L class either. The Octavia VRS and RS has always been a pretty good car (especially for the price). It's not going to beat the new Type R on any kind of track though.
