Skoda has approached its return to Australia in a canny European manner. Rather than rushing in with bottom-end cars to gain quick sales and then trying to lift its image by aiming at the medium-premium segments, Skoda started at the top end. By doing so it has gained credibility and is now pushing down into the affordable car area.
The result is that Skoda, now five years into its revival in Australia, has just sold its 10,000th car Down Under. It’s also quickly making its name in the affordable end of the hot-hatch scene with the great little Fabia RS as well as a five-door station wagon.
Skodas use major mechanical components from Volkswagen — having been controlled by the giant German company since the early 1990s when the communist era ended in the Czech Republic — and the Fabia RS shares a Twincharger 1.4-litre petrol engine, transmissions and suspension with the Volkswagen Polo GTI.
The two cars have quite different appearances, with the Volkswagen leaning in a mildly conservative direction, while the Skoda has gone for a chunky out-of-the-ordinary look that we love. There’s a hint or two of the cheeky shapes favoured by the British Mini in the character lines of Czech Skoda.
Our Skoda Fabia RS road test car came in yellow, which is a bold move in a conservative market like Australia. But, hey, this is a sporting model for the young and for the young at heart.
We were most impressed with the hot little Fabia’s performance. The Fabia RS is a pocket rocket. It goes from zero to 100km/h in just 7.3 seconds.
The Skoda Fabia RS is stable on all but the worst of Australia’s roads and feels really sound in hard cornering.
The hottest Fabia is a great little hot hatch around town and a superb tourer for steep and winding roads where you can really get stuck into the corners.
Prices start at $18,990, not including government or dealer delivery charges.
