The Skoda Fabia RS can and will bite your head off, and if you ignore it, it has no remorse of making you hug a tree. Through the windscreen.
Is it new?
No. In fact it’s based on the version which has been in
production since 2008.
Is it cheap?
Depending on what you’re looking for. If you want a
B-segment hatchback, no, it’s quite expensive. But if you want an adrenaline
pill on wheels, it’s very cheap. The regular Skoda Fabia RS costs just over
20,000 euros, but the model pictured below was priced at almost 24,000 euros.
The model is a copy of a Romanian rally car made in collaboration with SKODA
Romania Motorsport.
Is it “green”?
If you’re talking about its color, it’s partially green. The
fuel consumption isn’t worth mentioning because if you’re into it, you’d better
check out its diesel cousin, the Polo.
Is it quiet?
No, and that’s a good thing. In fact it’s so good that you don’t
even need the stereo system, the exhaust sound will keep your windows down any
given day, despite the weather conditions.
Is it safe?
It’s as safe as its previous generation. Euro NCAP has rated
it at four stars out of five, which isn’t that bad. It can get a lot worse.
3-star rating for child safety and just two stars for pedestrian safety.
Is it practical?
You can squeeze a dead body in the trunk, if that’s what you’re
asking me, but make sure not to feed it junk food before the action. And if you
will, you should know that the rear seats fold down and if anybody else will
annoy you, there’s enough room for a second dead body.
If you’re not into killing, there is enough room on the back
seat for two adult passengers who will wish that sports suspension would have
never been invented.
There is also room for your 2.5 children.
Is it comfortable?
No, and that’s a good thing again, because the sports
suspension will let you feel every bump on the road. This comes in handy on the
track but don’t use the Fabia RS on a daily commute because your kidneys may
fall off.
Is it gadget friendly?
Well, you get a single-zone automatic air conditioning, an
AUX input and a poor stereo system, so the answer to that would be “no”. You
gadget freaks better look for another vehicle, because this is aimed towards
petrol heads on a budget.
Is it fast, does it handle well and how good are its brakes?
It’s fast, it has almost 180 HP (132 kW) at 6,200 rpm and
250 Nm of torque (180 lb-ft) available between 2,000 and 4,200 rpm. These are
being squeezed out of a small 1.4 liter TSI turbocharged engine, the same one
used on the Fabia RS’ cousin, the Polo MK5 GTI. These are put to the ground through a DSG transmisison. You also can get steering wheel paddle shifters, a "must" in this version, and a Sport mode.
As for the handling, this shouldn’t be a problem on a
straight road. In curves, the front axle clearly can’t handle all that torque
and the steering column so under steer will come eventually and if you’re not
careful you can become a tree hugger before lunch.
The braking system, however, is brilliant. The four braking
discs will do its job as they should, and even more, being able to get you out
of a nasty situation, probably created by you, any given day.
Do women think it’s cool?
With the special livery on it, women don’t understand if
this is a car or a toy. And that’s a good thing because the coolness effect
would name the little hot hatch a “star”. Don’t act too surprise if people
driving expensive premium cars will look at it at a stop and if they will ask
you simple questions about it. Like “is it road legal?”. “No, I’m running from
the police right now!”.
Will my neighbors be jealous if I buy it?
If you buy the regular Fabia RS, chances are they won’t
notice it, until you will push down the gas pedal in sports mode, that’s when
they will hear it. But they won’t get a chance to see it.
Choosing a special livery from your local Skoda dealer will
help your Fabia RS stand out in a crowd. And you won’t regret it.
Will I be ashamed driving it?
Definitely no, unless you order yours pink.
Do I need a road to drive it?
Yes, and you will need a smooth and straight road to enjoy
it.
What else do I need
to know about it?
If you want a Fabia RS of your own, make sure to know,
before paying for it, how much gas it will eat. In some situations, the trip
computer will indicate 18 liters / 100 km. An average of 14.2 liters will be
shown in a crowded city and around 10 L on the open road. The AC doesn’t play a
main role in fuel efficiency.
The Skoda Fabia RS is definitely a car for a young dad on a
budget with hidden passions. It has room for your wife, for your 2.5 kids and
you can even squeeze your dog in the trunk, unless you have a Saint Bernard.
Original story here.
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