Skoda Fabia Combi RS, 2011

•  Skoda Fabia Combi RS, 2011

Škoda Auto has a long-standing association with motor sport. From its earliest years, competition cars from Mladá Boleslav have been winning on the world's racing circuits and rally stages. The latest RS road cars carry on this sporting tradition, which gives the second-generation Škoda Fabia RS a head start on the competition. And now for the first time there are two RS versions in the Škoda Fabia range: both hatchback and estate bodystyles continue the RS range's renowned combination of sporty performance with exceptional fuel efficiency and environmental-friendliness.

The inside, new sports seats feature the RS symbol on their backrests, while Škoda Fabia RS customers can also order red seat covers and black floor mats with silver or red offset seams depending on the upholstery colour. The Onyx-coloured dashboard is equipped with a three-spoke leather steering wheel with an optional multi-function version with gear change paddles for manual control of the standard seven-speed automatic DSG gearbox. As with all versions of the Škoda Fabia, the steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach, with the driver's seat also benefiting from height adjustment. The steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake handle are leather upholstered as standard, while the pedals are fitted with stainless steel treads. All Škoda Fabia RS models are fitted with Climatic air conditioning, an 'RS' dash insert as well as a four-speaker stereo system as standard.

Both versions of the new Škoda Fabia RS are unique front bumpers with integrated fog lamps, which can also be equipped as a option with a cornering light function or LED daytime running lights. The RS symbol sits proudly within the grille's chromed frame, while red-painted brake callipers hint at their performance potential from behind the spokes of bespoke 17-inch 'Gigaro' aluminium wheels. As well as tinted windows, the rear sports a new bumper design and a dual-pipe exhaust. The roof and the rear spoiler of the hatchback are available in black, white and silver on request and depending on the car's body colour.

The roof spoiler on both hatchback and estate versions increases downforce at higher speeds which, when combined with the uprated running gear and performance-orientated electronic driver aids - ESP, ABS, TCS, TPM and HHC - gives the Škoda Fabia RS safe and agile handling. Meanwhile the standard XDS differential increases driving pleasure by braking the inside front wheel when accelerating through corners, transferring torque to the outside wheel. The lateral torque helps to pull the Škoda Fabia RS into bends, enhancing its cornering ability and gives the athletic Škoda's newfound agility.

With a top speed of 224 km/h - 226 km/h for the estate version - and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds, both models offer truly sporty performance. Škoda Auto has introduced a dual-charged four cylinder petrol engine to its range for the first time, which produces 132 kW (180 bhp) from only 1.4 litre capacity and a torque peak of 250 Nm from 2,000 rpm through to 4,500 rpm. Despite the impressive performance, combined fuel consumption in the NEDC measuring cycle is very low: both RS versions require just 6.4 litres of fuel to drive 100 kilometres.

The feat of power and efficiency is achieved by fine-tuned technology. The 1.4 TSI engine features direct fuel injection and dual-charging via a turbocharger with wastegate and a mechanical, shiftable supercharger. In addition, an intercooler increases air volume for compression within the combustion chambers. The fuel pump carries the fuel to the injectors with pressure of up to 150 bar, while the camshaft controlling the two inlet valves is continuously adjustable on each cylinder. Both shafts are controlled via a maintenance-free chain drive. The 1.4 TSI's cylinder block is made of cast iron, the crankshaft of steel.

The supercharger and turbocharger work hand-in-hand to provide harmonious power delivery across the engine's rev range. The mechanically-driven supercharger supplies the combustion chambers up to engine speeds of 2,400 rpm when the engine is under the part load, while under full load it is uncoupled at a maximum of 3,500 rpm. By this point the exhaust-driven turbocharger has reached its full effectiveness and continues to feed the engine in the higher rev range. The use of double fuel injection during cold starting reduces harmful emissions by allowing the catalyst and lambda sensor to reach optimum operating temperature after driving just a few metres, guaranteeing effective exhaust gas treatment.

But it's not just the harmonious power delivery that makes both Škoda Fabia RS versions perfectly suited to daily use. Its luggage capacity (300 to 1,163 litres in the hatchback; the estate, 480 to 1,460 litres) and the practical loading facility also add to its usefulness. Its handling is distinguished by its incredibly high agility, without adversely affecting the ride comfort. However, neither Škoda Fabia RS, hatch nor estate are factory approved for use as towing vehicles.

The standard equipment:

•     * Driver and passenger front and side airbags,
•     * ESP including ABS, torque control, (MSR) TCS, EDL, hydraulic brake assistant, (HBA) hill start assist and tyre pressure monitor (TPM),
•     * Front fog lights,
•     * Three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel (height-and reach-adjustable),
•     * Front sports seats,
•     * Sports running gear,
•     * Projector halogen headlights,
•     * Daytime running lights,
•     * Maxi DOT display,
•     * Outside temperature display,
•     * Split folding rear seats (60/40),
•     * Central locking,
•     * Climatic air conditioning with automatic regulation,
•     * Radio preparation with 4 speakers,
•     * Height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats,
•     * Electric front windows,
•     * Electrically-adjustable and heated door mirrors,
•     * Black painted door mirrors, with door handles in vehicle colour,
•     * Tinted windows,
•     * Gigaro 7J×17'' alloy wheels - silver,
•     * Chrome package (gear lever knob, gear lever surround, air supply adjuster, handbrake locking button),
•     * Small leather package (3 spoke steering wheel, gear lever knob, handbrake handle),
•     * Textile floor mats (with silver-grey lining).

•     * Curtain airbags,
•     * Front passenger airbag - deactivation switch,
•     * LED daytime running lights,
•     * Glasses case,
•     * Front arm rests,
•     * Textile floor mats,
•     * Central locking with remote control (with folding keys),
•     * Roof rails for hatchback and estate,
•     * 3-spoke multi-functional leather steering wheel for radio and telephone (with paddles aut. gearbox DSG),
•     * Climatronic air conditioning with electronic regulation and combined filter,
•     * Radios 'Blues' and 'Swing',
•     * 'Amundsen' navigation system,
•     * MDI (mobile device interface) (only for 'Swing' or 'Amundsen'),
•     * Hands-free devices GSM II Compact and Comfort,
•     * Gigaro 7J×17'' alloy wheels - black, anthracite, white,
•     * Silver, white or black roof.