It's taken from a tabloid but isn't as bad as the Sun one. I have copied and pasted since the site doesn't like stories being directly linked to. Should you want you can read it on the site if you click on the link to take you to the index page, and scroll to the bottom and then click to get the Fabia test. Unfortunatly the Fabia test is the last one, although I don't think that is saying anything about the car it was as last in the real paper too!

Index page

FAB FABIA CEMENTS THE SKODA REVIVAL Aug 15 2003

Skoda's Fabia is hot to handle but is frugal on fuel says BILL CAVEN

Bill Caven

Roadtest: Skoda Fabia vRS

THERE are often two trains of thought when it comes to creating the near- perfect sports car.

You can automatically go for the sheer shockability factor that many of the major motor manufacturers tend to favour.

Load up the vehicle with ridiculous spoilers, go-faster stripes, brazen wheel arches and a couple of furry dice just for good measure.

The other option is to favour the more conservative approach and let the sports car do the talking.

Go for the understated look, no frills but plenty of ammunition stacked under the bonnet to guarantee decent reaction and respect from fellow motorists.

And this is the exact route taken by our Czech cousins Skoda as they fit another piece of the revival jigsaw into place.

Previous jokes surrounding the build quality and image of the car company have now thankfully disappeared faster than a snowball on a sunny summer's day.

Skoda have not only changed direction but cleverly re-invented themselves in the process by concentrating their efforts on the world rally car scene.

Their pedigree in the hot and frantic world of high-speed motoring has not only toughened up Skoda's image but also created a platform from which to build.

The arrival of the Octavia vRS provided a welcome flavour of what lay ahead of the firm.

And now Skoda have their sights set on the supermini market with the forthcoming appearance of the Fabia vRS.

Already a number of dealerships are taking advance orders for this hot hatch as it will inevitably become the most sought- after sports toy in the coming months.

In creating this latest offering, Skoda decided upon a combination of sportiness and economy - hot on the road, cool on your pocket.

From the outside there is little to suggest what adventure and excitement lies ahead.

T e low-slung front spoiler that incorporates the front foglights gives little away.

Even the special vRS badge on the front grille is relatively discreet.

Skoda designers have resisted the temptation of throwing together a car that would have "boy racers" drooling at the mouth.

Okay, they gave in a little by introducing a rear spoiler, but this was more to do with aerodynamics than cosmetic appeal.

The sporty Fabia is more to do with stealth than flash and that's the way many like it.

If you prefer raucous revs and absurd throaty sounds rumbling from the exhaust system then this stylish Skoda will disappoint.

It is more refined and polished, yet still has a wicked way that will delight any petrol-head. Press down on the accelerator and you instantly get a meaty growl from underneath the bonnet.

The vRS benefits from the awesome 1.9 turbo diesel Pumpe Duse unit that has spirited others within the Volkswagen family.

Not only does this 130bhp engine deliver in terms of performance but at the same time won't run away with your wallet or purse.

Yes, its quick and torquey whenever you want it, but it also returns outstanding fuel economy figures.

Thanks to the extremely slick six-speed manual gearbox you can work up a decent head of steam within a matter of seconds.

Top speed in this fast Fabia is accredited at 127mph and the hatch will reach the 62mph in 9.6 seconds.

Where the car really impresses, however, is the unbelievable thrust at the top end.

Even when you hit fifth gear there is still plenty of oomph to dazzle the rest. The elasticity of the turbo-charged powertrain is incredible and it is almost impossible not to be corrupted by its potential.

At the same time the Fabia can also record fuel economy figures of around 55mpg without a struggle.

Like many other hot hatches Skoda has stiffened up its running gear to provide a firm, uncompromising ride.

There is also a lovely solid feel about the vRS that provides you with plenty of confidence when you get carried away on an open road.

Handling is nifty and you immediately feel at ease when tackling tight corners and hairpin bends. Just as the exterior of the car has a restrained appearance, so the Fabia favours an understated cabin design. Skoda prefer instead to invest on quality rather than on gimmicks.

The sports seats are extremely supportive as I found out when my co-driver got somewhat carried away on some sweeping roads around Stratford- upon-Avon.

With a price tag of

Sounds like he's either a) unbiased or likes Skodas...and he's a journalist, you say?!

Rob.

It all sounded a bit too good to be true, sorry to sound cynical.

What's with the one line per paragraph?

I guess the journo likes his space The original article is about 4 times as long as it would have been without the whitespace.