The Green, Cross Skoda Fabia vRS

According to the current adverts the Skoda Fabia vRS is made from meaner stuff. Does it live up to this or is it just another hothatch that’s all show and no go?

There some cars that keep their true character a secret. Cars like the Renault Laguna, for example, that despite looking duller than a wet Sunday is surprisingly fun to drive. Or the Kia cee’d who’s cut price image would make you think it’s not very well built and yet it’s to European standards. The Skoda Fabia vRS, on the other hand, is a bit like a boxer wearing his gloves to go shopping. You know instantly what it’s about from the moment you see it. With huge 17in alloys, lowered suspension, twin exhaust and a rear diffuser it is a car that means business (and I don’t mean in the Alan Sugar sense). It is one most aggressive small hot hatchbacks in a generation.

Sadly, though, this can’t be said about the interior. Racy sports seat aside (that admittedly hold you tighter than a hungry bear) the vRS’ interior is standard Fabia. Not that there’s anything wrong with this since, other than one or two areas of hard to touch, easy to scratch, cheap feeling plastic, it’s reasonably well put together. But it doesn’t continue the same drama as started by the exterior. On a more practical note, there’s plenty of interior room for four and the boot is a decent size at 315 litres. But if that isn’t enough room, there’s also an estate version.

Trickling through suburbia is a little like trying to control an excitable dog on a lead

So if the interior is a letdown, does it have the firepower to back up its exterior image? The specification would suggest it does. It’s powered by a 1.4-lire TSI petrol engine that – to quote Bart Simpson – both blows and sucks thanks to being supercharged and turbocharged. The result of all this heavy breathing is 180bhp, a considerable amount for such a small engine. It also comes with the Volkswagen Group’s excellent semi-automatic, seven-speed, DSG gearbox as standard. Seeing as this is fitted to larger sportscars, such as the Audi TT, it gives the car some credibility. The result is a 0-62mph dash in just 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 141mph. Not bad for a car the size of a running shoe and comparable to the much lauded Mini Cooper S. And yet at £16,000 the Skoda is two grand less than the British-built car and three grand less for one with an automatic ‘box. Plus, you can expect 45mpg while the road tax is just £130. That’s the beauty of this 1390cc engine. It might be heavily tuned but its diminutive size still results in running costs that make sense for today’s motoring.

That 180bhp is evident the moment you slide the gear selector into drive. It never feels anything other than perky, eager and responsive and even just trickling through suburbia is a little like trying to control an excitable dog on a lead. Get it out in the open, push harder and the little vRS instantly accelerates with all the confidence you’d expect from a much larger car. My favourite moment, though, is when you’re travelling at 70mph and the engine is at about 3,000rpm. Squeeze the throttle pedal and as the gearbox (more on that in a second) changes down immediately, the car surges forward effortlessly.

Part of this is thanks to the DSG gearbox. It changes gear instantly meaning the acceleration isn’t hampered or slowed down as it tries to keep up with 180bhp. (It’s rumoured the only reason why the Fabia vRS doesn’t have a manual ‘box is because the DSG is the only one Volkswagen has that can keep up with all that power). If you want more control, though, there are paddles on the steering wheel to change gear manually. Because the ‘box uses twin clutches so the next gear is already engaged, the changes are fast and seamless without any of the lurching or hesitation some of these semi autos suffer from. Basically, as quickly as you can change gear, it will follow suit. But with it having seven speeds and the engine only being 1.4 litres, before the super and turbocharger kick in at low speeds, it’s never quite knows what gear it wants to be in and is constantly changing up and down as the engine tries to find torque.

The vRS’ ride can be on the hard side and even small potholes feel like moon craters as the car crashes over them. The upshot, though, is that the handling is brilliant. The grip is outstanding, enabling you to take corners harder and faster than in a standard front wheel drive car. Body roll is none existent and it never feels anything than securely attached to the tarmac. The steering can feel on the vague side at times by not having enough feel but the brakes are sharp and stop you with little commotion.

But there is a bigger problem. The reason we buy hot hatches is because they’re a fine compromise between practicality and performance. Yes they’re fun but you can still load up the family. So despite the reasonably spacious interior, the Fabia vRS, isn’t the best car for such usage. Its hard ride, occasionally confused gearbox and constant desire to be driven fast soon becomes hard work over a long journey for everyone onboard. But, as mentioned at the start, some things live up to their appearance. And so in the same way you shouldn’t be surprised if you get robbed after inviting someone wearing a stripy jumper and carrying a bag marked SWAG to dinner, you shouldn’t be surprised by how the Fabia vRS drives.

Verdict: 11/20

I had more fun in this car than with any other for some time. It was fast, went round corners like it was possessed and received plenty of admiring glances. And yet it also left me slightly dissatisfied. As much as I enjoy the DSG box, a 1400cc engine – no matter its power output – really needs an ordinary manual ‘box. Its great at the limit, but not at 30mph. Plus the hard suspension became bone-breakingly annoying after a while. Fun but ultimately flawed.

Specification

Skoda Fabia vRS

Price: £16,415
Engine: 4cyl 1390cc
Top Speed: 139mph
0-62mph: 7.3
Power: 180bhp
Torque: 184lb ft
C02: 148 g/km
VED Rating: F (£130)
Economy: 45.6mpg
Manufacturer: www.skoda.co.uk, 08457 745 74
Dealer:
Wings Of Peterborough Limited, Fenlake Business Centre, Fengate,Peterborough, PE1 5BQ. Tel: 01733 296969
Als Lock, Downham Garage, Little Downham, Ely, CB6 2ST. Tel: 01353 699302
Vindis Skoda, 59 Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0DN. Tel: 01223 507507

Reader Reviews

Adam Knight, 43, Orton Waterville
There’s nothing discreet about the Fabia vRS. Big wheels, big performance, big attitude. However, I’d swap some of that personality for a suspension that doesn’t break your back.

Lindsey Archer, 30, Dogsthorpe
While I see the appeal of the Fabia’s performance, I think in the long term I would become fed up with its hard suspension and unforgiving nature.

Andrew Gilson, 36, Yaxley
The Skoda Fabia vRS is a great little package for the money. It’s fun to drive, looks great and yet still offers excellent fuel economy. But I’d still rather have a Mini.

Peter Spinelli, 52, Woburn
Forget the old rubbish about Skodas not being very good – this is an excellent car. Its also excellent value for such a fast and entertaining hot hatch.