However found this on a quick search proving they do still sell and manufacture A4's Audi A4 i think you will find i was originally correct the Octavia is based on the older model Passat ?? in wiki it and i quote refers to it being originally based on "The first generation Octavia was released in 1996 and was built on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform" but i dont think that is an Audi A4 i think it refers to VW's chassis designation rather than model, i think it was in the start based on a 1995 ish Volkswagen Passat chassis and running gear as are so many Skodas these days it has always counter been reffered to as a poor mans Volkswagen after all, with the taxi company i was then with who subsequently purchased 20 at launch we were at the pre-launch party of these when we were told all about them hense i am quoting what Skoda themselves told us....

Either way they are superb vehicles and a great tesing ground for future VW's to come ....

if i see it again ill take note.......

Maybe it's the Skoda Exclusive that is based on it ??? but certainly not the Octavia matey for one they would need to shorten the chasiss the A4 is way bigger not that it really matters just thought i would comment as i was privelaged if you could call it that to be at the original launch party although the freeby rally jackets, hats and food were a nice bonus making it a worthwhile event i spose and we all got them irrespective of who we were even my bosses kids at the time got mini jackets from a budjet car aint bad going.....oh and millions of keyrings, brolleys and stickers of course

As for Top Gear they are true legends without a doubt as for JC's books i dont know i dont get em i have a few but on the whole find them quite boring but have to admit to having read both of hamsters and enjoyed both emmensely, James is great fun and whether deliberately the daft one or not im not entirely sure very intertaining anyway even if a bit contrieved that said has anyone commited the moral sin of sins and watched any recent editions of Fifth Gear on Five it is really srating to come back to threaten TG without a doubt it will never be what TG is not in a million years and dont try to be offering a radically different format on the same subjects, i do beleive their team is just right now and now present and equally entertaining show more aimed at the "normal" car driver with vehicles we could afford as thats what has always annoyed me with TG no one could ever afford the vehicles they feature mostly, and their alliegance to Aston Martin is touching being it was in British ownership but a bit over the top in terms of minutes used on solely Astons in any one series lets hope both continue for years to come but i do believe TG is under the threat of axeing again..

I thinketh you are a TG only man as he has no praiseth for the 5th gear programme i mean echoes in the sound come on Top Gear is in a flippin aircraft hanger with a arcing driver we dont eevn know who it is at least 5th gear tell us and dont waffle on endlessly about 1- cars we cant afford and will never own and 2 - about flickin Aston Martons