First Drive
Skoda Fabia Sport 1.9 TDi
Test date 16 January 2008
Price as tested £12,752
What is it?
It’s easier to get a handle on this particular Skoda supermini by understanding what it isn’t – and although its name suggests otherwise, it isn’t a hot hatch. Or even a conventional warm one.
The Skoda Fabia Sport is effectively the recently added range-topping trim level for the new Fabia range. It comes with more manly-looking bumpers, 16in alloy wheels, a boot spoiler and some sports seats among other things, but you can get one with anything from a 70bhp, three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine to a 105bhp 1.6-litre petrol four. It’s the 105bhp 1.9-litre TDI we’re testing here.
What’s it like?
Very well judged, as a matter of fact. Skoda has rather craftily avoided the trap that ensnares many a volume car-maker, and that’s taking its sporty option too seriously.
Many car-makers stiffen chassis, quicken steering racks and mess about with suspension geometry on their way to creating a slightly warmer version of what may already be a well set-up little driver’s car. Often, all they really need to do to create a car with a bit more spirit is sweeten the pill a little, and this Skoda proves it.
The Fabia Sport we tried felt slightly grippier and more purposeful than a regular Fabia, and although a bit raucous, its 1.9-litre lump gave it plenty of low- and mid-range punch. But it also rode as quietly and pliantly as a regular Fabia, and generally seemed much better suited to bumpy urban streets and pock-marked trunk roads than most warm hatchbacks.
Out on more open roads, its performance felt pacey and entertaining too. It’s not quite as quick as a proper hot hatch, and its body control runs out of composure a little bit sooner, but it’s certainly quick and willing enough to allow its driver to grab a few moments of amusement where they’re available.
Should I buy one?
Are you a sucker for a great all-rounder? Do you like the idea of a peppy little hatchback that doesn’t ask its owner to sacrifice any comfort in return for an extra bit of fun? Do you dream of open, empty corners, but actually spend your life on bumpy urban ones?
Then yes - absolutely and unreservedly you should. This diesel-engined Fabia Sport may not be the hottest little firecracker you’ll ever drive – Skoda’s got to leave a bit of room for the new Fabia VRS – but few other driver’s cars so willingly allow their owners to have their cake and eat it.
Matt Saunders
First drive data
How much?
- Price as tested £12,752
- Price as tested £12,795
How fast?
- 0-62 mph 10.8 sec
- Max speed 118 mph
How big?
How thirsty?
- Combined 57.7 mpg
- CO2 emissions 129 g/km
Engine
- Layout 4 , 1896 cc
- Max power 103 bhp at 4000 rpm
- Max torque 177 lb ft at 1800 rpm
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