Skoda Fabia vRS

For hot hatch fans, the Skoda Fabia vRS needs no introduction. When the original model burst on to the scene in 2003, it transformed the image  of the maker’s staid supermini. With its muscular diesel engine, aggressive looks and bargain price, it soon attracted a loyal following of drivers who loved its big performance and small bills.

While the idea of a high-performance oil-burner proved popular with buyers, bosses decided on a fresh approach when the second-generation vRS hit showrooms late last year. In a bold move, the firm’s long-serving 1.9-litre unit was replaced by the same efficient twin-charged 1.4 petrol as used by the Polo GTI.

Visually, the Skoda lacks the sleek sporty appeal of the Citroen and VW. As with the standard Fabia, the vRS has a tall and narrow stance, although the addition of a deeper front bumper, black windscreen pillars and neat rear spoiler helps it stand out from lesser models. Our test car was given extra kerb appeal courtesy of its bright red paint and optional £110 black finish for the standard 17-inch alloys.

Those boxy proportions pay dividends once you’re sitting inside. Occupants get plenty of headroom, while the load bay will accommodate a generous 300 litres of luggage. As you’d expect from Skoda, the Fabia is robustly constructed from tough-looking materials. However, the combination of a tall dashboard and high-set driving position gives the impression of sitting behind the wheel of a mini MPV rather than a racy hot hatch.

Fortunately, this impression is dispelled as soon as you fire up the 1.4-litre TSI motor, which immediately sounds more rorty than the identical unit in the Polo. Unsurprisingly, the vRS matched the VW in all of our performance tests, providing scorching pace. The downside is that it also suffers from the same tardy low-speed throttle response, but once the revs climb past 4,000rpm it really flies.

The twin-clutch gearbox works well in manual mode, delivering a crisp blip of the throttle on downshifts. Sadly, it sometimes gets confused when left to its own devices, while its lack of smoothness in stop-start traffic can become tiring.

Given the Fabia’s high-riding stance, it’s no surprise to find that it feels a little top-heavy in corners. But once you get past the initial body roll, it impresses with its agility and grip. And while the steering is a little numb, it is accurate and well weighted. However, traction can be an issue out of tight corners, with the car often suffering scrappy wheelspin.

The Fabia is eclipsed by both its competitors here for refinement, as it suffers from slightly more wind, road and engine noise. It also has the stiffest ride, causing thumps and thuds through potholes. 

But it really scores in the value-for-money stakes. At £16,260, it undercuts the Polo and DS3. Will this be enough to see the vRS take victory?