Czechmate: New Skoda Fabia RS with 1.4 TSI 180HP in both Hatchback and Estate Forms Head to Geneva

The latest generation of Skoda cars are -rightfully, in our opinion- considered by most consumers as budget-priced Volkswagens under disguise, a notion that has helped the Czech automaker go from post-Communist joke to a global success story. Their newest "VW Group Transformer" is the 2010 Fabia RS that will make its world debut at this week's Geneva Motor Show

The sportiest version of the Fabia range shares a common platform as well as its engine, transmission and other hidden hardware with the VW Polo GTI and Seat Ibiza Cupra models (and certain parts with the Audi A1...).

But with one significant difference: whereas the Polo GTI and Ibiza Cupra are available only as hatchbacks, the Fabia RS also offers a Station Wagon model that could open up a new market for Skoda.

Like its German and Spanish siblings, the Fabia RS hatchback and Estate models are motivated by the VW Group's 1.4-liter double-supercharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers an output of 180 horsepower.

A seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission with paddle-shifters transfers power to the front wheels.

Skoda said that 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration comes in 7.3 seconds for both versions with the hatchback reaching a top speed of 225km/h or 140mph, and the Estate 227km/h or 141mph.

Combined fuel consumption for both models is estimated at 6.4lt/100km, equal to 36.8mpg US and 44mpg UK.

It's worth mentioning that the previous Fabia RS model was offered exclusively with a diesel engine.

Being a sporty model and all, Skoda's err VW's engineers tweaked the Fabia's suspension and brakes and added the firm's new XDS electronic differential which is also found on the Ibiza Cupra and Polo GTI cars.

In the styling department, both versions of the Fabia RS features subtle cosmetic upgrades that include the new front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights 17-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, tinted windows and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and dual exhaust.

Depending on the color of the body, the roof, rear spoiler and wheels for the Fabia RS hatchback can be finished in black, white or silver.

As for the interior, both cars get sports seats with "RS" logos on the backrests, a new three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals.

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VIDEO: Skoda Fabia S2000 AWD Rally Car in Action

In its civilian form, the Skoda Fabia hatchback is an affordable, no-frills supermini that comes with all the usual qualities you'd expect from any Volkswagen Group model. The rally-spec Fabia S2000 is an entirely different story. Presented for the first time as a concept study at the Geneva show in 2007, the Fabia S2000 has been developed ever since to compete in the Super 2000 category.

It features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine based on the VW Group's standard 2.0 FSI unit, a six-speed sequential transmission and an advanced four-wheel drive system with three passive differentials. But enough with the talk. Time to sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy the video that was shot during the official presentation of the rally-car earlier this month (June 2009).

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Milotec Releases LED kit for Skoda Fabia and Roomster

While LED daytime running light have found their way in many upscale models, few makers offer them even as extras on mainstream cars like the Skoda Fabia hatch and its crossover sibling, the Roomster. But this is where aftermarket tuners like Skoda specialist Milotec come in. In addition to the aero parts and alloy wheel upgrades, Milotec is enhancing its product lineup for the Fabia and Roomster with the introduction of a new LED daytime running light kit. Prices -not including installation- are set at €265 for the standard kit and €289 of the tinted LEDs.

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Geneva Show: Skoda Fabia Sports Design Concept

Skoda's Geneva motorshow stand hosted the debut of the Fabia Sport Design Concept. Strangely enough, Volkswagen's Czech subsidiary did not disclose any details on the styling study, but we gather that the sporty Fabia could be hinting at the forthcoming RS model that's expected sometime in 2010. The Fabia Sports Design model is finished in a two-tone paint job featuring black alloy wheels, fa ront apron, a roof spoiler, side skirts, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser, blacked out headlamps and dark chrome surrounding for the front grille.

Interior changes are limited to the two-tone trim, the sports steering wheel, the aluminum pedals and the sport seats.

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Geneva Preview: Skoda Fabia Scout wannabe Crossover

The ever-growing family of crossoverish station-wagons has just welcomed a new member in the form of the Skoda Fabia Scout that is set to make its world debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show. But despite its off-road looks and unlike Audi's A4 Allroad Quattro or Subaru's Legacy Outback, the Fabia Scout retains the standard model's front-wheel drive architecture.

Based on the subcompact Fabia Estate, the Scout has been adorned with plastic cladding, newly styled bumpers and silver roof-rails.Other distinctive features of the Fabia Scout include fog lamps (with corner design), tinted windows and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, apart from the Scout-specific upholstery there's floor mats bearing the Scout logo, pedals with stainless steel surfaces and anti-slip, heavy-duty rubber elements.

When it goes on sale across Europe from late May this year, the Fabia Scout will be available with four powerplants. The petrol engines will consist of a 85HP 1.4 litre, with fuel consumption of 6.5L/100km (43.5mpg UK) and a 105HP 1.6 litre with a fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km (40.9mpg UK).

The two diesel engines are a 80HP 1.4 litre with fuel consumption of 4.6L/100km (61.4mpg UK) and the top-of-the-range 105HP 1.9-litre engine with fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km (57.7mpg UK).

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Skoda Fabia Sport: When Less mean More

Skoda's UK arm announced today that it has made the Fabia Sport edition a tad sportier by lowering its suspension by 15mm. Unfortunately the modification will see an increase of £290 per vehicle with the new prices applicable to orders placed from 1 October. The Sport edition is available with two petrol engines, 70HP 1.2L (£10,880) and 105HP 1.6L (£12,035) and two diesel units, 80HP 1.4L (£12,340) and 105HP 1.9L (£13,025). All Sport editions boast 16-inch alloys and a subtle bodykit as standard.

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Skoda Fabia Blueline Special Edition

Skoda has just released a special edition version of its Fabia supermini for the UK market. Called Blueline, the Czech supermini comes with a unique Pacific Blue paint combined with a white roof, 15-inch alloy wheels and a lower suspension. Interior features over the standard Fabia 2 include 'Magic' upholstery, climate control air conditioning, glasses storage compartment and storage boxes under front seats. The Fabia Blueline is available with a 70HP 1.2-liter petrol engine and an a 80Hp 1.4-liter turbo diesel with prices set £9,990 and £11,450 respectively. -Continued

Skoda supports that Fabia BlueLine offers buyers £750 worth of extra equipment at a price of just £160. The special edition model will only be available for a short period in the U.K. with production limited to just 500 cars.

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