Here's a bit of an exercise for you facts and figures lovers. As we all know the Fabia VRS is nigh-on perfect with its power/economy ratio. It's quite frustrating in a way because looking forward a couple of years anticipating my next car, I'm finding it hard pushed to come up with a shortlist. I wouldn't want to go down a performance bracket, in fact want to go up a level but having said that I don't want to go too silly with poor fuel economy.

Is there much above 200bhp which will still return at least high 30-low 40mpgs on everyday drives. Must be medium hatch kinda size, maybe bigger. Also must be standard power, not interested in mods or remaps.

At the moment I started thinking about Fabia or Octavia VRS's in say late 2012 but have worryingly started to look further up the VAG ladder at Golf R or S3 level. The book figure for both is 33mpg but I presume this is optimistic? I know you can never have yer cake and eat it, but would be nice to have something relatively guilt-free yet fun next!

Would be interesting to hear some ideas, even some curveballs, in this speculation!

V6 diesel? Likes of a 2.7 or 3.0TDI Audi A4?

I`v had my fabia for a couple of years now, and i`m in the same boat. I`m not getting rid of my fabia anytime soon, BUT i cant find anything that is a good mixture of both. Anyway, the 170bhp CR engine seems to be well rated, octy vrs, golf GTD looks tasty too, both manage 49/55mpg

Matt

BMW 123d

Mazda 3 Sport 2.2D 185

I`v had my fabia for a couple of years now, and i`m in the same boat. I`m not getting rid of my fabia anytime soon, BUT i cant find anything that is a good mixture of both. Anyway, the 170bhp CR engine seems to be well rated, octy vrs, golf GTD looks tasty too, both manage 49/55mpg

Matt

Golf GTD is also £11k more than the VRS in my spec....see below.... (without the satnav!!)

From what I've read I'm not actually sure the Octavia VRS CR170 would be a big enough jump performance wise from the Mk1 Fabia?

I'm liking the specs of 2.7 or 3.0 diesels or accept that lower petrol MPGs is the trade-off for performance

Keep 'em coming

From what I've read I'm not actually sure the Octavia VRS CR170 would be a big enough jump performance wise from the Mk1 Fabia?

I'm liking the specs of 2.7 or 3.0 diesels or accept that lower petrol MPGs is the trade-off for performance

Keep 'em coming

amazing torque on those engines...

Have looked at 2.7 and 3.0 A4s and they like a drink (mid to low 30s) and are not THAT fast and most are autos and over priced or with lunar mileages. Fabia VRS would probably feel faster.

330d is a cracker but saloon unless you're looking at a touring plus they're over priced too. I looked at a well specced 04 and they wanted £9k for it. I walked away but someone else bought it within a week in the snow.

Newer Octy VRS petrol might actually give you what you want. The TFSI might be a bit thirsty but the newer TSI seems to make the figures you ask for.

There don't seem to be any VAG hatchbacks with anything larger than the 2.0 Diesel at 170bhp.

Depending on how many miles I may be driving when I change will definitely look at going back to petrol. My feeling is sporty petrol A3, Golf GTI or Octavia VRS or beyond, rather than larger diesel saloon.

I will look forward to spending some time test driving! It makes me realise just what a great, versatile little car the old Fab VRS is

the Fabia VRS is nigh-on perfect with its power/economy ratio. [...] I wouldn't want to go down a performance bracket, in fact want to go up a level but having said that I don't want to go too silly with poor fuel economy.

Is there much above 200bhp which will still return at least high 30-low 40mpgs on everyday drives.

We have a PD130 Octavia and also like the good economy for getting around the country, coupled with decent performance for enthusiastic country roads driving. But it has serious compromises if you enjoy driving; I think of the PD130 as being half a good engine, in that the bit it does well is very nice, but it's not so good at low revs and lacking at the top end. Our current 'better' car is much older, rwd, and has a V6 petrol engine. 192 bhp in a lighter body, but the consumption in normal driving hovers slightly above 30 mpg with a light throttle.

I reckon hoping for better performance while retaining a decent fuel economy will be difficult. Newer diesels have a different feel and run into potential problems with newer emissions regulations, which makes me want to avoid. That leaves petrol engined cars. If you aren't so bothered about engine braking then forced induction would be fine, and probably is needed to meet your objectives. Perhaps an M100 Elan? If you prefer more engine braking, the other nicest handling fwd car I know of is the DC2 Integra Type R, but they're also getting on a bit these days. Either would be huge fun to drive.

Thinking about the fundamentals of fun driving, it's difficult to go much quicker on a journey than in the car you've already got. The limiting factors are speed limit enforcement on major roads, dual carriageways and motorways, or vision on B-roads and other minor roads. You need to ask what more power will do for you. It will mean you don't need to plan so much to get in the same overtakes, and you might be able to accelerate quicker off the lights which is great for bragging rights but doesn't make a huge difference in the real world. An engine with a greater rev range will be less of a compromise when choosing where to change gear, which means petrol rather than diesel. Naturally aspirated will have better engine braking, which means greater right foot control. Rear wheel drive will have better feel and balance. So, what are your requirements?

Vaux^H^H^H^H Sorry Saab do a rather fun 200bhp twin turbo derv and Jag have a nice engine if that's your thing

We have a PD130 Octavia and also like the good economy for getting around the country, coupled with decent performance for enthusiastic country roads driving. But it has serious compromises if you enjoy driving; I think of the PD130 as being half a good engine, in that the bit it does well is very nice, but it's not so good at low revs and lacking at the top end. Our current 'better' car is much older, rwd, and has a V6 petrol engine. 192 bhp in a lighter body, but the consumption in normal driving hovers slightly above 30 mpg with a light throttle.

I reckon hoping for better performance while retaining a decent fuel economy will be difficult. Newer diesels have a different feel and run into potential problems with newer emissions regulations, which makes me want to avoid. That leaves petrol engined cars. If you aren't so bothered about engine braking then forced induction would be fine, and probably is needed to meet your objectives. Perhaps an M100 Elan? If you prefer more engine braking, the other nicest handling fwd car I know of is the DC2 Integra Type R, but they're also getting on a bit these days. Either would be huge fun to drive.

Thinking about the fundamentals of fun driving, it's difficult to go much quicker on a journey than in the car you've already got. The limiting factors are speed limit enforcement on major roads, dual carriageways and motorways, or vision on B-roads and other minor roads. You need to ask what more power will do for you. It will mean you don't need to plan so much to get in the same overtakes, and you might be able to accelerate quicker off the lights which is great for bragging rights but doesn't make a huge difference in the real world. An engine with a greater rev range will be less of a compromise when choosing where to change gear, which means petrol rather than diesel. Naturally aspirated will have better engine braking, which means greater right foot control. Rear wheel drive will have better feel and balance. So, what are your requirements?

Superb post, lots of food for thought! I guess I do need to think what I want, it sounds ridiculous but I don't actually enjoy driving "briskly" on todays roads, but I guess I wouldn't want to lose having the nice amount of power available in the Fabia for those occasional overtakes and the rare spirited B-road blast, as you say not much will embarass it in everyday law abiding driving. I think what I want is a more premium feeling car than the Fabia, well specced with just that bit more grunt and better handling.

Good thread this. After 3 years of ownership I also have this same problem. I certainly don't intend on getting rid of my Fabia just yet, but I too am struggling to find a better alternative for the future at the moment. I do a fair amount of miles each year, so having a diesel is a must for economy, and also having a cabin which is nice enough to sit in for a couple of hours at a time (luckily for me I managed to swap the black/white seats for some black ones so having dirty seats is no longer an issue!)

My friend has a Mk1 Audi TT which is remapped to about 270bhp, we do like to go for a good Sunday run now and again, and every time we go out he always says how well the little Fabia keeps up. I may be 100bhp short, but in real world driving including speed limits, there's not much in it. I always come out laughing too as I'm getting double the mpg that he is, so I don't mind spending a bit longer out on the road!

I have thought about possibly getting more power from the car, but at this moment I'm not sure I want to go down the never ending path of modifications, when I could simply buy a faster car.

As for the alternatives in the future, I would still like a 'hot hatch' of some description. I'm not sure on what I have to spend yet as I am not in the position to buy, but I am finding it really hard to ignore the new Fabia vRS, or the new Polo Gti. Both are very quick, partly due to the DSG shift times, but this is also the downfall for me, as I still want that involvement that a proper manual gives. The Mpg seems reasonable too considering the pace, but I am keeping an eye on other threads to see what others are achieving.

As for now, I will keep plodding up and down the M5 for work, and enjoying a great deal of (torquey) fun on the weekend in my brilliant little Fabia.

Spotted this on Autotrader. I would highly recommend this vehicle. Just depends if you're a reverse badge snob! lol.

BMW 335D

my audi A5 3.0TDi does average 40mpg on long journeys and easilly mid 30s on day to day. 0-60 around 6sec and limited to 155mph oh and nice 4wd

Not 200bhp, but wont some of the old Elise's and stuff return 40mpg, due to small engines, and ultra light weight?

I was going to say a 535D but if you could get the same engine in the 1 or 3 series you'd be cooking on gas (pretty sure the 3L twin turbo diesel is in the 3). Does 40mpg most of the time and goes well. Annoys me that my old man gets better economy and performance from his car, just doesn't seem fair lol.

Okay - totally random...

VW Golf GT TSI 160 3dr or 5dr.

1.4-litre twincharger, 45mpg, 137mph, 0-60 in 7.5s, 0-100 in 18.9s.

160bhp/177lb.ft.

145 C02, £125/yr tax, 3-years warranty & servicing, grp 30 insurance.

They're not cheap to buy though - £21k new, and long waiting list.

Edited 19 February, 201115 yr by Antix

Okay - totally random...

VW Golf GT TSI 160 3dr or 5dr.

1.4-litre twincharger, 45mpg, 137mph, 0-60 in 7.5s, 0-100 in 18.9s.

160bhp/177lb.ft.

145 C02, £125/yr tax, 3-years warranty & servicing, grp 30 insurance.

They're not cheap to buy though - £21k new, and long waiting list.

Well you may as well buy the new Fabia VRS!!

Well you may as well buy the new Fabia VRS!!

He might be blessed with the gift of sight though! :p

He might be blessed with the gift of sight though! :p

+1 on that one!

+1 on that one!

I don't think it is tooooooo bad! Prefer the Monte Carlo actually - thats what the VRS should look like....apart from the boxiness.

+1 on that one!

Add me to that one too.

Saw one last week for the first time. Oh deary me.

Keep the Furbie and buy the Astra GTE from the other thread.

Scary old skool torque steer, feck all safety but should be a cheap as chips laugh.