Fast and fab Skoda

Four years later the Czech company turned its attention to producing cars and in the same year it entered the sporting arena.

Today the company competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with the Fabia rally car and for the road there is the all new Fabia vRS.

This new Skoda model takes the role of being the fastest production Fabia yet and unlike its predecessor it is powered not by a diesel engine, but by a very impressive 1.4 litre petrol engine.

Linked to this engine is the remarkable seven speed DSG gearbox and to add extra choice the vRS is also available as an estate.

I had the opportunity to take he wheel of the newcomer based at Prodrive’s test circuit, there I was able to explore the performance potential to the full and with the added bonus of driving routes in the surrounding countryside, allowing me to sample this newcomer under should I say more normal driving conditions.

The 1.4 litre engine does really deliver. Power output at its maximum is 180bhp and that is enough to take the Fabia vRS up to a top speed of 139mph and the estate version tops that figure by one extra mile per hour. From rest to 62mph that takes just over seven seconds and despite all of this you are rewarded with 45mpg on the combined fuel cycle.

The TSI engine features both a turbo and a supercharger and they work perfectly hand in hand. The result is a very responsive engine with a CO2 figure of 148g/km.

The twin clutch gearbox can operate in two modes. Fully automatic or Tiptronic and the paddle shift works electronically through the ECU and incorporates a feature to prevent over-revving.

You get a sporty package with looks to match, externally Skoda has opted for bright colours and right away your attention is drawn to the bespoke rear spoiler and the chubby 17 inch wheels, all of the same design, but available in a choice of finishes. There are twin exhausts and the tinted windows add further to the sporty styling of this pocket rocket.

The interior is well appointed and the cabin continues the sporty theme. There are new height adjustable front sports seats, a three spoke, leather wrapped steering wheel and it is fitted with paddles for the manual control of the gearbox.

The vRS also has the same updated and styling features introduced across the Fabia range. Onboard you get a feel of quality and comfort, sometimes missing in a small car.

A major feature is XDS. You ask what is XDS? It is an electronically controlled slip diff, designed to improve the handling when driving fast and when cornering. XDS works by gently braking the unstressed wheel on the inside of a corner and transmitting this force to the outside wheel that is doing the bulk of the work. This allows the car to turn in much sharper and you can carry more speed through a corner.

The biggest benefit of this system lies in maintaining the ideal line when driving the vRS fast, especially when accelerating in the last third of a corner, before intervention from the traction and stability control system.

Stopping ability is very important and a booster aids braking and when it comes to safety, there is a full compliment to keep driver and passengers out of danger.

The trend is to customise a car to your own desire and with this new Skoda you can do just that, the already mentioned choice of wheel finish, and another option is to have the roof finished in a different colour to the body.

There is a comprehensive standard equipment package, outstanding drive quality and renowned Skoda build quality, which all adds up to an all round impressive small, sporty car.