I'VE driven a fair few hot motors this year but for value for money I doubt any others will be able to top the Skoda Octavia vRS.
It is the best value-for-money performance saloon I've driven this year. And it's affordable, coming in at just under £14,000, much cheaper than a host of other sporting hatchbacks.
I first drove the vRS a couple of years ago and the Czech-built Skoda was a revelation then.
Nothing has changed my mind. It has everything you could possibly want. It's fast, comfortable, roomy and well screwed together.
If it had any other badge up front you'd be paying thousands more for it. Just for the name.
By now, most people should know that the mighty Volkswagen Group owns and runs Skoda and most of the mechanicals of the Octavia come from its parts bin.
The Czech factory uses an extended version of the basic platform which is also used on the Audi TT, VW Beetle and Golf and the SEAT Leon.
The 1.8 20v turbocharged engine is also a VW Group product, used in several of its high speed motors.
Performance is stunning, with power kicking in from the turbo quickly and without too much of a jolt to the neck muscles.
Skoda claims the vRS will hit 62mph in just under eight seconds - it seems faster.
But power isn't everything. Space is often top of the requirements for a lot of prospective owners.
The Skoda has plenty of it. The boot space is especially huge with enough usable room to swallow any amount of shopping, pushchairs or golf clubs.
Likewise, driver and passengers have stacks of head and legroom.
Switches, knobs and buttons are typically VW - solid, functional and - except for the rev counter and speedo - tasteful.
Sporty front seats add to the car's aggressive ambiance and everything about the RS has a solid, dependable feel.
All this quality is not just surface deep. The vRS - which has a slick five-speed manual gearchange - handles beautifully with a poise and stability usually found in cars costing an arm and a leg.
Of course, it has a few aids to achieve this feeling of security, including brake force distribution, anti-lock brakes and anti-wheelspin gear.
It's just as happy thumping down the motorway as it is around town, and a quick flip on quiet country roads can be fun thanks to a chassis which is 15mm lower than the standard Octavia and beefed up brakes and anti-roll bars.
For £15,500 you would think the sporty saloon could be short of goodies - but you would be wrong.
Included in the price are alloy wheels, central locking, power steering, climate control, tilt and reach adjustable three-spoke steering wheel, fog lights, one-touch electric front windows, electric mirrors, rear spoiler, metallic paint, child safety locks, immobiliser, tinted glass, etc, etc.
Best value-for-money car I've driven this year. Even better since a recent cut in all Skoda prices.
FAST FACTS
Skoda Octavia 1.8T vRS
Price: £13,990
Mechanical: 180bhp, 1,781cc, 4 cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 146mph
0-62mph: 7.9 secs
Combined mpg: 35.3
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 192g/km
BiK rating: 24%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage; 10yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint