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Marton Pettendy21 Jun 2012
REVIEW

Skoda Fabia RS 2012: Launch Review

Czech brands cracking response to Volkswagen Polo GTI

Skoda Fabia RS

What we liked
>> Twin-charged petrol engine
>> Brilliant seven-speed dual-clutch semi-auto?
>> Well-sorted chassis, despite its age

Not so much
>> Cheaper interior than Polo GTI?
>> Quirk styling
>> Still a question over resale value?

OVERVIEW?
>> Cut-price GTI arrives with choice of hatch or wagon
Skoda’s Fabia RS hot-hatch has finally arrived Down Under, giving the fledgling Czech brand a pint-size shot in the arm as it struggles to emerge from the shadow its giant German parent, Volkswagen.

On sale now as part of an expanded Fabia range that also includes wagon and DSG dual-clutch automated manual versions of the entry-level 1.2-litre 77TSI turbo-petrol, the RS is the new flagship of Skoda’s Light-sized ‘supermini’ line-up.

Unlike its most direct rival in VW’s Polo GTI, there is no three-door Fabia RS. Instead two five-doors are offered – a conventional hatch as well as a unique-in-class wagon.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT?
>> Less than equivalent GTI
As expected, Skoda’s answer to the Polo GTI undercuts its established hot-hatch sibling by $1000, at $27,990 plus-on costs, but the five-door Fabia RS comes with slightly less standard equipment and remains $200 more expensive than its three-door VW Polo GTI cousin.

Unique to the line-up, however, is the $29,990 wagon. It is expected to account for up to half of all Fabia RS sales. And positioned beneath the RS wagon is a new entry-level Fabia 77TSI wagon at a price of $20,990 ($2000 more than the base Fabia hatch at $18,990). The facelifted Fabia-based Roomster 77TSI peoplemover (from $22,490) has also arrived Down Under.

As with the Polo GTI, a seven-speed DSG automated manual transmission is the only gearbox available with both range-topping Fabia RS 132TSI models. The same dual-clutch auto adds $2300 to price of the 77TSI hatch and wagon.

See our Fabia range news update for more details on the pricing and equipment details of the revised range.

Taking a leaf out of Mini’s book, the RS will be offered in 26 body and roof colour combinations in an effort to attract younger buyers keen to personalise their hot-hatch.

The choice of a white, silver or black roof  will set you back $390 (hatch only) and a set of black, white or anthracite 17-inch ‘Gigaro’ alloy wheels is priced at $120.

MECHANICAL
>> Perky Polo GTI powertrain in older chassis
Launched in Europe more than four years ago, Skoda’s second-generation Fabia is based on Volkswagen’s previous-generation Polo, and therefore misses out on the newest VW Light-car platform and stiffer bodyshell.

It does, however, come with the same twincharged (super and turbocharged) direct-injection 1.4-litre petrol four, which features relatively high 10.0:1 compression and boost pressure of 2.5 bar to deliver the same 132kW and 250Nm between 2000-4500rpm.

That results in 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds for both hatch and wagon models, while combined fuel consumption (using recommended 98 RON premium unleaded petrol) is just 6.2L/100km for both models.

As with all Fabias, the RS’ seven-speed DSG can operate in both fully automatic or manual modes – the latter via steering wheel paddle shifters.

A host of RS chassis upgrades over garden-variety Fabias includes sportier electric power steering tuning, a lower ride height, firmer rear springs, stiffer dampers and Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL), which increases cornering traction by braking the inside front wheel under acceleration in corners.

Buyers of both the Fabia RS hatch and wagon score 17-inch Gigaro silver alloy wheels, a front lip spoiler, chromed grille, chromed dual exhaust outlet, red brake callipers, polished black B-pillars and door mirrors, black rear diffuser, rear spoiler, projector beam headlights, LED daytime running lights and ‘vRS’ grille and boot badging, denoting its European nameplate.

Inside, the RS adds Climatronic electronic air-conditioning, front sport seats (in grey or red trim with RS badging), a leather-trimmed steering wheel, more vRS badges, hand brake lever and gearshifter, chromed interior highlights, stainless steel sports pedals.

All Australian Fabias offer an eight-speaker MP3 sound system with auxiliary input, tinted windows, air-conditioning, a leather-clad steering wheel with audio and phone controls, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, trip computer, front foglights, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, a centre front armrest, heated door mirrors, power windows, remote central locking, reach/rake-adjustable steering wheel and a 60/40-split folding rear seatback.

PACKAGING?
>> Bigger inside than you’d expect
Like all Fabia hatchbacks, the RS hatch comes with a sizeable 300-litre boot that extends to 1165 litres with the rear seats folded, matching many larger hatchbacks. The new Fabia wagon’s cargo space is even larger at between 480 and 1460 litres.

There’s no Polo GTI-rivalling three-door version of the five-seat Fabia RS hatch, but Skoda makes up for the with a unique-in-class five-door wagon, which weighs only about 10kg more than the hatch.

Check out our local launch review of the cooking model Fabia for more details.

SAFETY
>> Same kit as Polo, but one less ANCAP star
Standard Fabia safety features include six airbags, electronic stability/traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

Unlike VW’s latest Polo, which gains a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, the Fabia scores just four stars.

COMPETITORS
>> GTI is the elephant in the room, but RS eyes Swift
The Fabia RS has fewer direct rivals than mainstream versions of Skoda’s smallest model, with the entry-level manual Fabia 77TSI wearing the same pricetag as the mid-range Ford Fiesta LX and Suzuki Swift GLX.?
Skoda conveniently fails to mention the benchmark Polo GTI hot-hatch from its parent company when it comes to Fabia RS rivals, but it is the most obvious direct competitor, given its identical powertrain and $1000-higher pricetag.

Other close rivals include Suzuki’s Swift Sport (from $23,990), Citroen’s DS3 (1.4 $26,990; 1.6 $29,990) and the Mini Cooper, which opens at $25,500.

The RS Fabia’s sub-$28,000 sticker price makes the equivalent Cooper S ($40,500), Renault’s Clio RS ($36,490) and Fiat’s Abarth 500 Esseesse ($34,990) look positively pricey.

ON THE ROAD?
>> Skoda joins the hot-hatch brigade at a sensible price
If the Fabia RS doesn’t get your pulse racing, nothing will. Skoda’s long-awaited baby RS is a brilliant little hot-hatch, combining a proven, well-sorted front-drive chassis with VW’s masterful twincharged petrol four to produce an intoxicating mix of engine and handling performance at an unbeatable price.

No, it doesn’t quite match the affordability of VW’s three-door Polo GTI, but offers the added convenience of five doors for just $200 more. The unique-in-class, 250mm-longer RS wagon adds even greater interior flexibility for a further $2000 – or just $1000 more than the GTI five-door.

Skoda is loathe to admit, but with 200 examples now in local showrooms and a free line of supply from the factory, the RS could well tempt many would-be GTI buyers not so keen to wait up to six months for their specific specification choice.

Apart from trading the VW badge for a Skoda one (which is likely to result in a lower resale value down the track), the hot Fabia also comes with harder cabin plastics and wears a quirkier, more understated exterior design -- despite plenty of attention to detail in the fitment of specific bumpers, side skirts, wheels, exhaust outlets, projector headlights, LED running lights, red callipers, stainless steel pedals and gloss-black B-pillars and wing mirrors.

Although the Fabia’s upper dash is classy and its overall cabin design less sterile than the Polo’s, contact points on the doors and centre console (and the flimsier door-pulls) feel noticeably cheaper. That said, it comes with the same hip-hugging front sports seats (without the tartan trim) and the same vault-like design and build quality as the Polo.

Of course, the GTI is based on the fifth-generation Polo launched in 2009, which in turn is underpinned by VW’s newer PQ25 platform, making it slightly larger and stronger yet lighter than the PQ24-based MkII Fabia released in Europe in 2007.

Not that you’d notice behind the wheel of the RS, where there’s the same solid wall of torque everywhere in the diminutive 1.4-litre four’s broad rev-range, thanks to a mechanical supercharger that delivers strong response from right down low, an exhaust-driven turbocharger that ensures plenty of top-end punch all the way to 7000rpm and the combination of both huffers overlapping in the midrange.

Combined with VW’s latest slick-shifting seven-speed DSG auto, which is made even more rewarding by two tactile steering wheel paddle shifters, the gutsy 132kW/250Nm twin-charged engine delivers spritely response from all gear ratios at any speed.

A brief racetrack stint at the Gold Coast’s Norwell circuit showed that, while the agile RS chassis maintains its poise and composure even when pushed beyond its limits, there’s more than enough performance on tap to turn both front tyres under hard acceleration out of corners in fourth gear with the highly intuitive stability control system switched off.

With the latter switched on, VW’s XDL electronic diff lock and the shorter, firmer RS suspension hunkers down to deliver consistently surprising levels of grip.

None of this comes at the expense of ride quality, which on standard 205/40 17-inch rubber is noticeably firmer than the base Fabia 77TSI on 15-inch tyres (which are also quieter). That said the RS remains supple and compliant on most road surfaces without presenting undue bodyroll during hard cornering.

The steering is also overtly sporty and superbly weighted, though not as pin-sharp or communicative as the latest Polo GTI’s, which returns similar levels of torque steer under enthusiastic throttle openings.

Regardless of its underpinnings, the Fabia RS is a cracking drive that’s just as much of a bargain as the Polo GTI. For about $30,000 on the road, the only hip pocket complaint here is the same expensive diet of 98 RON premium unleaded as the GTI.

In fact, with Suzuki’s accomplished Swift Sport not quite in the same league in terms of both price and performance, and the Cooper S and Clio RS costing much more, Citroen’s stirring DS3 DSport is the only other light hatch that delivers a similar level of engine and chassis performance – albeit for $2000 more.

Like the DS3 and Mini, the RS can be had with a wide range of personalisation options (including roof, spoiler and allow wheel colour choices) and its standard spec list is comprehensive enough.

All that should be enough to ensure Australia’s new hot-hatch value benchmark attracts a following as dedicated as its VW family relative’s.

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