Hi everybody,

 

Next week I'll be test driving a 2005 vRS. The thing that struck me is the weight. Why is this thing so heavy? 1325kg is too much weight for such a small car, even Golf MK4 or MK5 with 1.9 TDI engine are not that heavy, and Golf MK4 has almost the same performance on paper, which nullifies the purpose for a small car in a way.

 

 

 

 

doesnt feel heavey to drive I dint think

Alot faster than a mk4 gt 130.

Doesnt feel as heavy as either one

mk4s handle like a boat compared aswell.

Iv had both n although the fabia isnt as good handling wise as some other hatches (mini/ clio) its alot more responsive than any golf

So the Fabia handles much better than MK4, I get it. But why is it so heavy? They only come equipped with all the goodies, or there is some other reason for the 1325kg?

Edited 1 April, 201412 yr by DieselFobia

Big heavy engine, built well?

Full size spare wheel lol.. 6 speed box is pretty heavy.. seats arent the lightest.. big diesel battery...

it's actually quite large inside when compared to Clios, Fiestas, 207s etc also

It's the 5 doors I think. The equivalent seat ibiza FR PD130 in 3 door form weighs like 80kg less and the cupra tdi only weighs 1177kg ! Like to know how they've shed that much weight

How to shed weight - according to the papers today you need to eat 7 or more portions of fruit/veg 

Having chopped a fair bit on mine now they use 3mm steel in just about all the major panel work, thats pretty thick. No wonder they are good in a crash.

You'd be surprised how much more room you have inside a Fabia compared to a Mk4 Golf too. 

You'd be surprised how much more room you have inside a Fabia compared to a Mk4 Golf too.

Yes you have like half the size of the golf

Very cramped in the fabia

It is heavy (the engine)... its not designed to be a 106 Gti, but an economical hatch - with grin inducing torque. You can lighten it a little, remap it to unleash more fun, and slam it/make it more taught to become more agile (for all its understeering abilities) at the corners. It's not that bad to look at, doesnt look at gormolous as a Mk4 Golf and some of the kids on 'ere tart them up really well.

It'll feel even heavier if the shock absorbers are sh*gged too.

**Go for a post 2005, to get the nippier AND more economical engine (most are about 150bhp in BLT form).

Very cramped in the fabia 

 

 

I suppose that depends on your interpretation of 'cramped'. I don't find my car cramped at all. The rear bench is a little too narrow to seat three people comfortably, but that's about it. I suppose it depends on your needs and what you're used to more than anything. 

 

I'd say if you went from a Superb to a Fabia, you'd definitely find the smaller car cramped... but that's hardly surprising as there's enough room to play squash in the back of a Superb. 

VRS alloy wheels are absurdly heavy, the engine and gearbox are also heavy. Parkers says mine weighs 1155kg compared to 1315kg for the VRS, that's 160kg difference which is huge, the Fabia bodyshell is very strong and stiff and therefore also very heavy and five doors really do make a difference.

 

Cheer up, a Golf R32 weighs 1512kg, no wonder they feel like a harpooned whale to drive!

I suppose that depends on your interpretation of 'cramped'. I don't find my car cramped at all. The rear bench is a little too narrow to seat three people comfortably, but that's about it. I suppose it depends on your needs and what you're used to more than anything.

I'd say if you went from a Superb to a Fabia, you'd definitely find the smaller car cramped... but that's hardly surprising as there's enough room to play squash in the back of a Superb.

More than fine in the front.

Its in the back. You almost have to disconnect your hip to get in the back. Then when your there you sit that high your head hits the ceiling. If anyone bigger than a midget is sitting in the front you have no leg room.

Very uncomfortable in the rear

Very uncomfortable in the rear