Skoda has boldly entered the relatively
untapped segment of diesel-powered hot hatches, after the Czech carmaker
launched the Fabia vRS that combines a powerful VW diesel powertrain with
a subtle but sporting styling.
The sporty diesel powered Fabia vRS that is powered by the 1.9 TDI PD engine |
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Driven by the acclaimed 1.9 TDI PD engine and mated to a six-speed gearbox,
the sporty new Fabia delivers 132ps (97 kW) at 4,000 rpm and a torque
curve that peaks at 310 Nm (229 lb ft) at 1,900 rpm. Thus ensuring it
takes no longer than 9.6 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h before
reaching a maximum speed of 204 km/h (127 mph).
The engine, which is a Pump Duse (PD) unit system, is one of the most
advanced injection systems of its type for TDI engines, with the key being
the pump-nozzle injection unit. The unit consists of a high-pressure injection
pump, an injection nozzle and a control valve that maintains precise fuel
injection.
The TDI engine that endows the vRS Fabia with a fairly sporty performance |
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With one unit being applied to each cylinder, the engine makes the use
of injection pump or high-pressure piping redundant, with the PD system
also allowing for extremely high pressures to be generated, thus ensuring
a finer atomisation of fuel in the cylinder and better combustion. The
result, claims Skoda engineers, is better overall performance, greater
efficiency, higher torque and increased power output. Consequently, the
Fabia vRS achieves 55.4 mpg on combined cycle and a CO2 emissions of 138
g/km.
The chassis of the vRS model has been tweaked to give the car a sportier
feel with safer driving. For example, a new front anti-roll bar has been
applied and the rear axle cross bar has had its thickness increased from
2.8mm to 3.2mm.
The suspension has been lowered by 15mm in a bid to increase stability,
while the dampers have been re-adjusted for a stiffer ride.
Yet it wasn’t just the Skoda engineers who were allowed to have
fun on the sporty Fabia, the Skoda design team were also called upon in
a bid to add a subtle sporting style to the car.
From the front, the most significant feature is the new spoiler integrated
into the front bumper, thus echoing the same lines as the Fabia WRC rally
car. Large inlets in the front spoiler serve as air intakes for the front
brakes and cooling system, while a large vRS symbol sits proudly on the
front grille.
The sporting Skoda look concludes at the rear end of the Fabia, with the
spoiler over the rear hatch, rear bumper with an integrated rear air dam
and a newly designed stainless steel exhaust pip. There’s even a
sporty feel to the cabin of the vRS, with Skoda providing sports seats
with original Cross Teck upholstery. A diesel powered hot hatch? That
will be the Fabia…
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