Skoda Fabia RS

Škoda Fabia

The Škoda Fabia is a small 5-door hatchback built by Škoda Auto and is the first model to use the VW Group's A00 platform, which it shares with Volkswagen's Polo and SEAT's Ibiza. It replaces the Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001. The car is also available in estate or saloon styles.

The range starts with the 1.2 6v Classic (which is cheaper than Volkwagen's smaller 3-door 1.0 Lupo) to the 1.9 PD TDi vRS.

The Fabia was launched in 2000 with an array of engines, body styles and trims. The Fabia is available in hatchback, estate and saloon models. The hatchback most closely resembles Volkswagen's own Polo, and is by far the most popular model. The estate has proved rather popular in its own right, despite estates based on smaller cars not being globally popular. The saloon variant is a classic three-compartment Limousine with a protruding boot. The saloon is much less popular than the other two body styles, especially in some markets where saloon cars are not popular, such as the United Kingdom. The Fabia will cease to be produced in December 2006

Part of the Fabia's success is the fact that all of its mechanical parts are developed by or in conjunction with Volkswagen, but are offered in a package that is priced to undercut other models in the Volkswagen Group. The only trace of non-VW Skoda left in the Fabia is the 1.4 8v "MPI" Engine, which was a modification to Skoda's own 1.3 engine, and was used in pre-Volkswagen Skodas such as the Favorit.

Later in the Fabia's life the mid-range Comfort Model was dropped for the name Ambiente to fit in with the rest of the range. Other models include and included the Ambiente, Ambiente SE, Blackline, Silverline, Sport, Bohemia (Estate) and vRS. Various safety features and minor changes were made over time. Easy and Junior models are sold in Eastern European markets where budgets are lower. Some of these Fabias do not even have painted bumpers or gloveboxes. Also sold in such markets is the Fabia Praktik, which is a van version of the Fabia with the rear windows and seats removed. A lesser powered version of the 1.4MPI with just 60BHP is also sold in Eastern Europe.

In 2005 the Fabia received a facelift, with changed front fog lights and grille, slightly different rear lights, new steering wheel and revised specification levels. Also the vRS had its final gearbox ratio changed. Most importantly the Sport model was added, with the 75hp 1.4 petrol being offered with a manual transmission. This engine was quickly dropped for the 1.2 HTP, which was not as powerful but is a much more free revving engine giving a more sporty feel, the sport also had its specification changed to include red seat belts and sunset privacy glass from the B Pillar to the rear.

Again in 2006 the Fabia range shown at Geneva along side the new Roomster model will have minor specification revisions. These include a center rear head rest, a central 3 point seatbelt and an additional 4 bodywork colours. The 1.4 16v 75BHP Engine is to be replaced with a more powerful 1.4 16v 79BHP engine.

Škoda Fabia vRS

The range-topping Fabia vRS, while not the first diesel hot hatch, is the first exclusively diesel hot hatch, having no petrol equivalent. The engine is VW Group's 1.9 litre Pumpe-Düse Turbocharged-Diesel producing 96 kW (129 hp) and 229 ft·lbf (310 Nm) at 1900 rpm, with a six speed manual gearbox.

Official figures state 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 9.5 seconds, but many motoring magazines have timed this to be less than 8 seconds. The in gear acceleration times are 50-70 mph in 5.6 seconds, quicker than BMW's 330i which needs 6.0 seconds. 20-40 mph in 2.4 seconds is as quick as the Lotus Elise 111R. Despite this the Fabia vRS can achieve better than 5.4 l/100 km (45 MPG US). The vRS was shown to be quicker than a similarly priced MINI Cooper around Top Gear's and Fifth Gear's test tracks.

The Fabia vRS was named the Diesel Car of the Year 2003 in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards.

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