Skoda FABIA vRS
With A 130bhp Turbo Diesel Engine Under The Bonnet, Skodas Fabia vRS Is A Rather Unique Little Hot Hatch. Jonathan Crouch Reports
Skoda builds affordable cars, but that doesnt mean theyre bought only on price. The marques average ownership age is 40, rather high for a budget brand, which is why the Czechs are seeking a racier, more dynamic image. Hence the World Championship Rally Programme, partly responsible for spawning the car were looking at here, the Fabia vRS.
In order to homologate the 300bhp 2.0-litre Fabia World Rally car, the Czechs had to build a production Fabia of similar length. Hence this vRS models beefier front air dam and rear bumper, plus its roof-mounted spoiler. That however, is where any real trace of similarity between these two Skodas ends.
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They dont even drink the same fuel, the vRS grabbing its share of the limelight by becoming the markets first hot hatch with diesel power. The use of VWs familiar 130bhp TDI unit was the idea of Group Chairman Bernd Pischetsreider. To be honest, it was a proposal which initially didnt go down too well in Prague, where the engineers had wanted to use a 2.0-litre 160bhp unit that would have given this car real sparkle.
Pischetsreider justified the decision by pointing out that half of all Fabias are already sold with diesel power, so trade-up opportunities would be greater. Plus, with the diesel unit, mid-range pulling power would be enough to embarrass many more powerful petrol hot hatches. Both these arguments would have made more sense if Herr Pischetsreider had authorised use of the awesome 150bhp TDI diesel already used in VWs mkIV Golf and Bora models. Still, even as it stands, this 130bhp unit is powerful enough to raise a few eyebrows.
Dont judge it on the traditional 0-60mph and top speed benchmarks (9.6s and 126mph if youre interested). Borrow one and go overtaking in it: then youll understand. Around 229lbft of pulling power from just 1900rpm means that even in lazy 5th gear, the important 50-75mph increment occupies just 10.6s. Snatch 3rd gear and youll be launched right up to the tailpipes of far more expensive shopping rockets.
"Perhaps a hot hatch for those who dont really want one "
Talking of expense, youll be wondering about that. After all, though
Skoda has a reputation as a budget brand, Fabias arent actually all that cheap (especially not the World Rally version which can be yours for £470,000 should you manage to persuade the Mlada Boleslav to build you one.). At first glance, priced at £12,380, the vRS doesnt seem to be very affordable either until you look a little more closely at its opposition.
Want this same engine with five doors in a mkIV Golf? You would have need to find nearly £5,000 more. Even
SEAT, supposedly a more affordable VW Group brand, will charge you £2,000 for use of the same unit in their five-door Ibiza TDI 130 Sport. And all this despite the fact that the Fabia is almost as big as the Golf, has pretty much the same quota of kit and all of the fabled VW Group build quality. Resale values should be good too.
If youre still not convinced, theres also a less extreme Fabia Sport model with 1.4-litre 75bhp power. The vRS sits on 16-inch aluminium-alloy wheels through which you can spot green brake callipers. Inside, there are monogrammed RS grey and black fabric sports seats, an aluminium gear knob and a three-spoke sports steering wheel.
ABS, air conditioning and a CD player are also standard. Despite all of this however, its hard to get too excited about the cabin. There are aluminium instrument surrounds, indicated that someone, somewhere was on a mission to brighten things up but he or she should have been allowed to try a bit harder. It remains very dull, as usual with Skoda, giving you the impression that its trying too hard not to be a
Volkswagen.
On the road, most owners should generally be happy, though its clear that Skoda still has quite a bit to learn about ride and handling before its products can compete with the very best. Still, you should find this Fabia both tractable and nimble, though it does roll a bit when the going gets very twisty. Most owners will be happy to accept this drawback however, since the flip side of the coin is that it has enabled the production of a fast hatch that doesnt shake your teeth out over the bumps. True, courtesy of stronger front springs and firmer damper settings (along with thicker anti-roll bars), the ride is firmer than the average Fabia owner will be used to, but its not enough to spoil what will largely be positive impressions on the average test drive around the block.
Of course, one of the huge benefits of plumbing in diesel power to this car is the likely reduction in running costs. And here, this Fabia wont disappoint. Unless you really are a pedal to the metal merchant, you should average over 50mpg in normal use. Moreover, carbon dioxide emissions (138k/gm) are low enough to place the car in the 18% bracket for company users.
Only one five-door bodystyle is available and of course, within it, you get the usual Fabia recipe which means a car larger than any other in the class. Unusually for a Supermini, five can be seated in reasonable comfort. The boot's a useful shape (offering 1016 litres with the seats down), with 60/40 access through the split-folding rear bench and sturdy luggage hooks for securing awkward loads. The vRS is a likeable flagship for the Fabia line-up perhaps a hot hatch for those who dont really want one. View the car this way and it begins to make a lot of sense.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Skoda Fabia vRS
PRICES: £12,380 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 9A
CO2 EMISSIONS: 138g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 126mph / 0-60mph 9.6s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 52.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3960/1646/1451mm
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