| When we think of the Austrian car-makers Skoda our | | | | chief designer, Thomas Ingenlath was in charge of |
| mind automatically jumps to the Superb, a sort of | | | | designing the vRS and he has done a decent job in |
| upper middle class vehicle. But, not much hype or | | | | raising the bar for its down-market siblings. The front |
| fan-fare follows their lower models like the Fabia. The | | | | has been equipped with a pleasant front bumper, |
| topic for discussion here is the "Skoda Fabia vRS", | | | | encasing the usual mesh-vent between two fog lamps. |
| Skoda's latest attempt at introducing a rally car on the | | | | Around the back, you will find a deeper bumper with a |
| roads. | | | | chromed tail pipe which is a little off-centre, a boot |
| Let's start off with the most important part of the | | | | spoiler and some discreet badging. This all sounds real |
| vehicle, the engine. This particular engine has been | | | | nice, but, it is not even close to the stunningly |
| used in everything from the Golf to the A6 and is, to | | | | fashionable World Rally Car. |
| be fair, far better than anything else it has ever | | | | The interiors have the same feeling as most of the |
| produced in this class. The 1.9 liter, 4 cylinder, OHC, | | | | cars from the Volkswagen group. The switch gear |
| turbo charged diesel engine might not be the fastest | | | | (made of aluminium) is well laid out and the dials are |
| car around but it sure does try really hard. | | | | clear and easily readable. The seats (monogrammed |
| 130 bhp at 4000 rpm doesn't sound like much, but keep | | | | RS grey and black fabric sports seats) are actually, |
| the car between 1500 and 2700 rpm and you feel the | | | | very comfortable and move in every possible way |
| full effect of the 310 nM of torque under the hood. It | | | | which makes finding a comfortable position relatively |
| does 0-60 mph in approximately 9.6 seconds. Quite | | | | easy. A couple of vRS logos on the dials complete the |
| normal for this class of vehicle but the crucial pick up | | | | look. |
| from 50 to 75 mph can be achieved in around 10 | | | | Skoda has gone all out when it comes to specking the |
| seconds in 5th gear which sounds very contenting | | | | vRS. ABS, MSR and ASR all help with the handling |
| when you think of the vehicle class. It tops out at a | | | | while ESP can be added at an extra cost. On the |
| maximum speed of 127 mph which isn't very fast, but, | | | | comfort and safety front, air-conditioner, electric front |
| it is good for its class. This car can easily complete 40 | | | | windows, single-slot CD player, alarm, remote central |
| mpg, but, hit the motorway and you will be touching 60 | | | | locking and driver and passenger airbags all come as |
| miles to the gallon. The steering wheel (a three spoke | | | | standard. |
| sports steering wheel) gives terrific feedback and the | | | | Now that everything has been discussed let's come |
| performance of the car is far superior to any other | | | | down to the price. At £12000 it is far better |
| ones in its class. The vRS moves on 16 inch aluminium | | | | priced than any of its rivals and it has a good re-sale |
| alloy wheels through which you can spot green brake | | | | value as well. |
| calipers. | | | | All-in-all, this car is good without being great. It is very |
| When it comes to looks, the Fabia, has very little on | | | | reliable, economical too and it can still turn heads. |
| offer whether it is on the inside or the outside. Skoda's | | | | Really. . |