Hi,

I'm more of a lurker than a poster so hello! I was on another car forum (which I'll not name as I'm only interested in Fabia owners opinions, not an inter-site slanging match) and there was a thread on there from a guy who is thinking about getting a Fabia vRS, and wanted some info.

One of the opinions offered was: "They really are not fast. 0-60 in 9.2 iirc. Sure, they have plenty of mid-range grunt, but run out of revs before you can complete the overtake."

Now I found this a really odd statement I've never felt this to be true, is this anyone else's experience? I should say the guy claims to have at least test driven a Fabia vRS but not owned one.

Hi,

I'm more of a lurker than a poster so hello! I was on another car forum (which I'll not name as I'm only interested in Fabia owners opinions, not an inter-site slanging match) and there was a thread on there from a guy who is thinking about getting a Fabia vRS, and wanted some info.

One of the opinions offered was: "They really are not fast. 0-60 in 9.2 iirc. Sure, they have plenty of mid-range grunt, but run out of revs before you can complete the overtake."

Now I found this a really odd statement I've never felt this to be true, is this anyone else's experience? I should say the guy claims to have at least test driven a Fabia vRS but not owned one.

I never had trouble overtaking anything in my 1.2 Corsa when it was at its err 'peak' (90bhp, 900KG)

Moved up to the Fabia and found it even easier. The torque makes everything nice and easy.

Now with a map, it's even easier. 300ftlb ftw

If you rev past 4k it's kinda pointless as the turbo power trails off by then. Overtaking has always been easy in the vRS. Provided I'm above 1500RPM I can easily overtake, most of the time not even needing to drop a cog.

If you rev past 4k it's kinda pointless as the turbo power trails off by then. Overtaking has always been easy in the vRS. Provided I'm above 1500RPM I can easily overtake, most of the time not even needing to drop a cog.

Thinking about it, the guy the quote was from must have been driving it like a petrol. :shakes head:

I sometimes find a need to change gear during an overtake, but not usually. Mine is very top-end happy though, so often run out of revs by literally doing just that... running out of revs. Nothing worse than bouncing off the limiter from full acceleration - like hitting a brick wall.

Eerm, it's a diesel ......... so why would you want to be revving the nuts off it anyway?

Use the rev range where the power is, once it starts tailing off change up.... simples.

fabia vrs in standard form is pretty rapid for a wee car

if this guy wants power buy a ferrari.....

if he thinks there slow he should have a go in mine.... 0-60mph quicker than an audi 225 tt :8

PS: I have just seen what other car forum this is on, but keeping quiet

PS: I have just seen what other car forum this is on, but keeping quiet

corsa..... saxo?

please do say

I've been sat behind a lorry in 6th gear, overtaken no problem, then gone to change up to 6th but realised i'm already there

Low down grunt ftw

PS: I have just seen what other car forum this is on, but keeping quiet

Good man, you've been spotted too

/\ do tell its obviously been compared to something so we need all the facts

corsa..... saxo?

please do say

Purrrlease! What kind of forums do you think I frequent?

/\ do tell its obviously been compared to something so we need all the facts

The guy's comparing it to something french that's 20 year old (don't know what tho') this is his exact quote:

"I was very tempted by one, but slower than a standard 20 year old French hatch (which I also happen to own), handling is dead and understeery due to the heavy engine up front."

Edit: I think it's a Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 GTI he's comparing it to.

Edited 9 August, 201015 yr by weezb

Probably Pug 205 GTI?

yeah 1.9 gti

obviously you need to drive them different LOL

The guy that said that need to learn how to overtake, i've driven a number of diesels and never had a problem at any speed from overtaking farm vehicles to making 120mph multi vehicle passes.

A fabia vRS is more than quick enough and has enough range to make a safe overtake at almost any speed if your in the right gear to start with.

He must be off his chops!!!

If you know how to drive a diesel you will already be in the right gear prior to overtake. Oh and if you have it remapped then you will never run out of power!!!!

If you rev past 4k it's kinda pointless as the turbo power trails off by then. Overtaking has always been easy in the vRS. Provided I'm above 1500RPM I can easily overtake, most of the time not even needing to drop a cog.

This is a common misconception, but actually the car keeps accelerating all the way to the red line. It just doesn't feel it because the torque thrust has fallen away, but seriously, it is slower not to use all the revs.

In response to the OP, you need to start the overtake at about 2500rpm in my experienceand if you do that you won't run out of revs unless it's one heck of an overtaking manoeuvre.

no red line on the vrs!! it does run out of revs.... cant remember what this is standard but 4.5k is my guess, notibly slower after 4k?

my hybrid used to go to 5.5k lol, then i wound it back and i think it goes to 5k now lol

5k is my redline. Wouldn't fancy going beyond that to preserve the engine.

This is a common misconception, but actually the car keeps accelerating all the way to the red line. It just doesn't feel it because the torque thrust has fallen away, but seriously, it is slower not to use all the revs.

In response to the OP, you need to start the overtake at about 2500rpm in my experienceand if you do that you won't run out of revs unless it's one heck of an overtaking manoeuvre.

Interesting. I'll need to get a passenger to video the rev counter on my drive home and try the various methods to see for definite, there's a nice stretch of road that goes from 30 into 60mph, my normal approach is: 3rd gear, toe down up to i guess about 3500(maybe 4000rpm), up to 5th and I can then overtake anything slower ahead before settling into 6th and a steady 60mph if i'm not catching anything.

I do occasionally try out working up through the gears and staying in that nice 2500-3500rpm range on this road, but i rarely red line it on any occasion (except for italian tune up purposes).

This is a common misconception, but actually the car keeps accelerating all the way to the red line. It just doesn't feel it because the torque thrust has fallen away, but seriously, it is slower not to use all the revs.

In response to the OP, you need to start the overtake at about 2500rpm in my experienceand if you do that you won't run out of revs unless it's one heck of an overtaking manoeuvre.

Once past 3,750 revs the power starts to fall away slightly. I agree that changing gear at this point won't net you anything though. Torque at the WHEELS is what moves the car and the gearbox acts as a torque multiplier. Hang to to the gears past 4K RPM for the best results IMO.

Given the stroke of the crank and the weight of the pistons, I can't believe people take them to 5.5K! Must be overengineered to hell and back to avoid grenading like a late 80s Maestro.

J.

Actually.. What I've noticed is The 'Achilles heel' for the fabia on A-road overtakes is around 40-45mph, when its nearing the limit of 3rd gear and needing to change to 4th, sitting at 4th from the start is no good either as its only around 1.5k revs. :no:

I must be driving very differently as 30 - 60 in 3rd is a breeze. Can make alot of cars look quite silly if being honest, as they pull out in front of you thinking the skoda badge means a slow car. In my Vrs I get a good steady hit of power right through the rev range, only reason for changing up is im too afraid to hit the limiter, not through lack of power ?