Skoda loads up sizzling Fabia vRS

By Jack Rix

05th March 2010

Small, but powerful... Skoda’s fast and practical new Fabia vRS was one of the Geneva show’s big stars. What’s more, it’s available as an estate for the first time.

The hatch looked great with its Viper Green paint and contrasting black roof – also available in white or silver – while the load-carrier settled for an all-red combination. Both cars sport the Fabia’s facelifted lights and more prominent grille.

The hot model is also marked out by 17-inch ‘Gigaro’ alloys, red brake calipers and a rear bumper integrated with twin exhausts and a diffuser. Under the bonnet is the same 178bhp 1.4 TSI supercharged turbo that features in its Volkswagen Polo GTI and SEAT Ibiza Cupra cousins. Power is fed through VW’s hi-tech seven-speed DSG gearbox, which is fitted as standard, while performance is lively: 0-60mph takes 7.3 seconds and the top speed is 140mph. Economy remains at an impressive 44.1mpg.

The Fabia is also fitted with an XDS electronic differential. This brakes the inside front wheel to avoid wheelspin on the exit of a bend.

And in true Skoda style, the vRS plans to undercut rivals from within the VW family, despite having the same hi-tech underpinnings. It will kick off at roughly £2,000 less than the Polo GTI – which is set to start from around £18,000 – when it goes on sale in June.

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