Local News: Skoda launches the hot Fabia VRS and the practical Fabia Combi

The hot VRS is closely related to the as yet unavailable Polo GTI and is powered by the VW Group's familiar 1390cc twincharged unit as found in the Golf Sport and Touran Sport models. The TSI unit is tuned for 180bhp in the VRS and is mated to 7-speed DSG gearbox. Performance is mighty impressive for the junior hot hatch - 0-100km/h comes up in a scant 7.3 seconds.

The Fabia VRS boasts an attractively designed front bumper and integrated fog lamps fitted with the Corner function. The vehicle's unique position in the Fabia portfolio is underlined by 17" lightweight alloy Gigaro wheels developed specially for the RS, red-painted brake callipers, tinted windows, a new rear bumper with a diffuser and a double exhaust tip. The Fabia RS will come standard with black roof, roof spoiler and electronically adjustable sunroof.
The vehicle's sports-tuned chassis with ESP, ABS and ASR is designed for powerful and dynamic, yet safe driving performance. Towing the car down the bend, the resulting torque gives it impressive agility. A tyre pressure supervision system and an uphill start assistant are part of the standard equipment for greater comfort and safety.

The Fabia VRS is fitted with height-adjustable sports seats with VRS logos on the backrests. A three- spoke leather-clad sports steering wheel that comes as a multifunctional version with a gear shift control unit communicating with the seven-speed automatic DSG transmission is height- and longitudinally-adjustable, just like the steering wheels in all the other Fabia versions. The purity of the interior design is underlined by an Onyx-shaded dashboard and stainless steel pedals with an anti- slip surface.

In connection with the new design of the Fabia VRS, Škoda has also adapted the design of its rally car, the Fabia Super 2000. Under new FIA regulations for the Super 2000 category, the vehicle has been widened to 1,820 mm. To improve the performance parameters of the Fabia Super 2000 race car, Škoda has also adapted the engine's air intake and exhaust system.

Like the five-door Fabia, the Combi is powered by the 1.2-litre engine from the VW Polo Sport, making 105bhp. The Combi offers the practicality of an estate car despite its relatively compact proportions.

The new Škoda Fabia VRS and Fabia Combi are priced at $72,800 and $59,800 respectively. In view of the rising COE prices, Harvest Automobiles is now offering customers a chance to dictate how much they would like to bid for their own COE. All prices quoted are not inclusive of COE.

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