Skoda Fabia test drive since 2007 -

Best the enemy of the good?

Seeing these cars in the photographs, do not rush to scroll the bell at the wheel. Indeed, both Skoda already appeared on the pages of the magazine. But even more hot hatchbacks fell into our hands. They were tuned with WKR.
 
The pressure jumped

Yes, here, it turns out, another sixth gear! And the Octavia RS is again taken to the dynamometric road of the Dmitrovsky training ground. The fact is that the methods of measurements of elasticity and maximums for cars with five- and six-speed gearboxes differ. So, the red arrow will continue to dissect the air at the limit.
 

The stabilization system in action: the rear wheel is slowed down. Unlike the engine controller, ESP settings did not change. The result, however, was not impressed: in this case, the sixth gear will only amuse the owner’s pride and will save a little fuel. And the difference in maximum speed is only 4 km/h. Although, probably, for someone, even such an increase matters.
 
But, in fact, this is not the main thing in the fastest Octavia. The car bribes primarily with its versatility. It almost does not differ from its phlegmatic brothers in utility, but already in the database has a rich complete set. In stock and parking sensors, and xenon, and a full-time CD resort. The quality of the audio system, however, did not cause enthusiasm: no matter how you play with the settings, you will not achieve a perfectly balanced sound.
 

Fabia RS is an excellent city hatchback, compact and very fast. And of course, frank signs of a budget model, such as ceiling pens without a microlift. With high quality of the interior in general, you perceive this dissonance as an extra confirmation of the place of Skoda in the corporate hierarchy. Say, Golf Golfovo, and Octavia
 

The appearance is modest to the Skoda is equipped only with a mechanical gearbox, but this will not at all upset those who consciously go to buy such a machine. After all, the motor here is really beautiful: two -liter, with direct injection and turbocharged. It is quite burdened by a leisurely driving in traffic jams and at the same time delightfully responsive at high speeds. With dynamic driving, the tachometer arrow can be easily allowed to seven thousand. Only then will the engine manifest itself in full. It is possible that someone will seem redundant to someone.
 

Like, however, the interior. Inexpensive materials and laconic design are complemented only by branded accessories. Why else do hot hatchbacks choose, and then give them to the hands of the tuners? Of course, in pursuit of a portion of adrenaline. After the engine received a new control program, its potential was supposed to increase. According to WKR, the increase in power is 60 hp! This is a serious application, because in this case the dynamic opportunities will be comparable to sportsmen like Mitsubishi Lancer Evolyushn or Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
 

Intrigue under the hood. Diesel chip tuning allowed to play more than a second to overclock to hundreds. The first impressions partly confirm the numbers cited by WKR. According to the subjective sensations of experts, under the hood of Octavia RS is clearly more than 200 liters. p., although not 260, as stated. It remains only to go through the lie detector of a series of instrumental measurements. An impartial device showed data close to passport. Exactly! The car that passed the chip tuning did not reach the result of the result.
 
It is theoretically, it is theoretically possible to get a significant increase in the power of the motor with turbocharged. However, its maximum value will be achieved at strictly defined revolutions. The same picture with the characteristic of the moment, only the increase will be more significant.
 

For example, the closest relative of the Volkswagen Golf GTI is equipped with the same as that of the standard Octavia RS, a two -hundredth engine and a transmission. He showed the worst results when accelerating in the fourth and fifth gear. But in the low-speed zone, when accelerating in the sixth gear, the golf GTI wins a little by the modified Octavia RS in accordance with the principles of chip tuning.
 

Diesel lighter

The diesel on hot hatchbacks is still a rarity, but Fabia RS is equipped with just such a 1.9 -liter engine, with a boost, intercooler, and the source 131 hp. And 310 N.M, and even a firmware from WKR! Tuners promise a significant increase, more than 30 hp. And 100 N.M and all again thanks to chip tuning, which allows the turbocharger to achieve greater performance. In the growth of power, we doubt: the maximum speed remained at the passport level. But the dynamics and elasticity depending on the moment are impressive: the acceleration time to hundreds decreased compared to passport data by more than a second! The result was a real lighter, which, after shortly addictive, is able to deliver a lot of pleasure. Of course, the driving manner will have to correct: to move quickly, you need to catch the moment, in the literal and figurative sense. The most effective range of only two to four thousand revolutions, which requires constantly taking the right hand from the steering wheel. There are six brought gears in the box, and switching them is a pleasure: the mechanism is good, and the effect is worth it. Moreover, even in the range to the large explosion, there is more traction than that of the usual class of gasoline engines.
 
The increased engine capabilities did not require intervention in the chassis settings, they are already good. The brake pedal in standard modes seems heavy, but the effectiveness of slowing is beyond praise. The braking distance is only 37 meters of the result, which will be envied by much more dynamic cars. And the exercises on special roads showed that the controllability of this skoda is on top. The main thing is that before the turn, put the desired gear and accurately work with gas, straightening the trajectory.
 
And in general, the car is much more ocular than it seemed at the beginning. Do you often have to lower the rear windows? Do you need a parking lot on a compact hatchback?
 
As for the chip tuning, then, as in the case of Octavia, the picture is similar. Is it worth it to spend money on the growth of ceremonial numbers or enjoy the initially outstanding cars to solve the consumer.
 

Our certificate

The German studio WKR Automobil Design, a software modernist for the Boshevsky engine control systems, offers the engine of Skoda Octavia RS and Skoda Fabia RS. Cars with such a volume of alterations do not require special maintenance and are accepted by ordinary dealers of Skoda. The price of chip tuning of Octavia RS 1360 euros, Fabia RS 690 euros.
 
Vadim Nikishev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"