Skoda Fabia 2000 test drive - 2007 -

Than the dynamics smells of

A sports car with a diesel engine? Ten years ago, we would laugh at such a joke. But the characteristics of modern motors with ignition from compression allow us to talk about outstanding accelerating capabilities without a shadow of irony.
 
At the Geneva Motor Show Skoda, Skoda introduced a model of Fabia RS hatchback with a not quite ordinary engine. Czech engineers packed under the hood the most powerful four -cylinder Volkswagen turbodiesel at that time. The 1.9-liter engine with pumps is equipped with a turbocharged turbine and intermediate air cooling. In combination with a small weight of the car and a six -speed transmission with converged gear rates, he provided dynamic qualities unprecedented for diesel: acceleration to 100 km/h for less than 10 s and maximum speed for 200 km/h. In the fall of 2004, Skoda Fabia RS received a modernized gearbox with changed gear rates on IV, V, VI steps. What else is the different of Skoda Fabia RS from ordinary Fabia? Of course, sports suspension settings. More rigid springs and stabilizers of the anti-resistance, reduced by 15 mm road clearance, 16-inch wheels with tires of the 45th profile argue that all this was very noticeably affecting the behavior of the machine. Let's check?
 
A short test drive of the RS school-final, under the heavy rain in the vicinity of the Czech Libera. In such weather, I don’t really want to look at the car. Nevertheless, the most noticeable feature of Fabia RS is the front spoiler in the style of rally machines and impressive air intakes in the bumper, reminiscent that the fresh wind requires not only the coolant radiator and the intercooler, but also the brake discs, which are leaded to special ducts. The original bumper, the chrome oval of the exhaust pipe and a small spoiler on the upper edge of the roof. Everything is neat and modest, and presumably, aerodynamically in the case. And in the appendage of green-red-white nameplates with the letters RS, alloy wheels through which the shkodov-green brake calipers are visible.
 
Dry air from the air conditioner quickly clarified foggy glasses, the wipers brushed rain drops forward! A pleasant surprise: not all turbodiesel is very easy to move from a place today. However, there is a considerable merit of a heavy, but very understandable adhesion pedal. Acceleration! ESP is raw to the light touch of the gas gas pedal with a sharp slip and blinking letters! In second transmission, the situation is repeated, and only on the third tire they cope with a huge torque.
 
The narrow forest path, where the crowns of trees almost hide the crying sky, becomes a ribbon of black shiny glass, and the trees merge into the blurry background of the already familiar color emblem. In this mode, Fabia inspires complete confidence. An accurate, slightly heavy steering wheel, light and unmistakable gear shifts, well-chosen gear rates and an incredibly painful engine allow you to enjoy not only every little long straight straight, but also a catapulting acceleration at the output of the turn. Of course, if you lower the momentum below 1500, the turbodiesel will lose all agility, but with such a clear switching mechanism, it is simply useless to bring to that.
 
On our roads, the hard suspension of Fabia RS would not have earned praise, and low -profile tires would hardly have survived until old age. But thanks to them, the driver and the car become one. Slippery? Of course, on dry asphalt you could go quickly, but now it is more likely to be good for the benefit of a regular suburban highway, and not a closed track rally dopa. Before the next bundle of turns, I deliberately slow down later and sharper, bringing to the anti -lock system. It seems to be turned on late when it seems that Michelen Xse tires are already slipping along the black asphalt mirror. But no, the car is still listening to the steering wheel of claims to electronics. Of course, it is better to look at the speedometer. A feeling of unity with Fabia RS comes so quickly that it seems that you can already. Such thoughts must be driven to good, they do not bring.
 
The winding highway passes a tiny town, winds the hills and leads to a speed road. We pour into the stream, for a short time we hang on the tail of a walking car a polite driver in it blinks with the right turn signal. Speed \u200b\u200b130: Fifth gear, in front of a protracted rise. The gas is to the stop, and at the end of the rise, the shooter is selected to the mark of 190 yes, from gasoline machines capable of such dynamics, motors for 200 forces. By the way, Skoda’s on -board computer shows 9.1 l/100 km and I have not ceremony with the gas pedal.
 
Now it is clear why the Czech designers were made by diesel sport Fabia. Do you feel the joy of fast driving, knowing how the tank is rapidly devastated with each overclocking? Fuel prices in Europe are three times higher than our
 
RS Skoda-Fabia is not delivered to Russia: it is too early for us to combine dynamics with efficiency in this form. But the idea to make a car with a sports fuse defeingly economical deserves attention, is it?
 
Anatoly Fomin. Photo by the author and Skoda
 
 
 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"