Skoda hot-hatch undercuts VW Polo GTI

Skoda Fabia RS.

Details and costs for Czech brand's new Fabia RS hatchback and wagon revealed online prior to launch.
Skoda Australia has revealed the pricing and details of its new Fabia RS hot-hatch on the internet.
The Fabia RS is due to go on sale in Australia next week, but the company’s website is already allowing browsers to find local driveaway prices for the car. And, following a number of phone calls to Skoda dealers, Drive has learned it will start at $27,990 plus on-road costs for the five-door hatchback and $29,990 plus costs for the longer wagon version.
Those prices position the Skoda hatchback model under the five-door Volkswagen Polo GTI on which it’s based (five-door from $28,990 plus costs), while the standalone wagon version is a touch dearer.

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Skoda Fabia RS interior.

The Fabia RS is powered by the same 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine producing 132kW of power and 250Nm of torque as is seen in the Polo GTI. It’s mated exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with power sent to the ground via the front wheels.
The Skoda is slightly heavier than the Polo and is rated at 6.2L/100km for both the hatch and wagon. Its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time is 7.3 seconds (Polo GTI: 6.9 seconds and 6.1L/100km). As with the GTI, the Fabia RS is recommended to run on premium fuel only (98 RON or better).
The Fabia RS’s specifications have also appeared online. They include standard 17-inch alloys, sports suspension, cornering projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, alloy pedals, dual-zone climate control, auxiliary stereo input, Bluetooth phone connectivity, sports bucket seats and a leather-lined steering wheel with paddle shifters.
The wagon version is 21 centimetres longer than the hatchback, and boasts extra boot space: 480 litres versus 300L with the rear seats in place, and 1460L versus 1163L with the seats folded down. It also gains roof rails and a rear spoiler.
Standard safety equipment includes six airbags (dual front, front side and full-length curtain airbags), stability control and rear parking sensors.
Options for the Fabia RS include three different wheel designs, a sunroof and a two-tone paint finish with a silver, white or black roof (depending on the regular body colour). Those colour choices include white, red, yellow, silver, black, blue and green. There’s also a choice of black, red or grey interior fabrics.
The quirky Roomster high-topped wagon will also make its return. It was axed after three years on sale, and while details and pricing have not yet been revealed, Skoda has previously told Drive that a price tag of between $20,000 and $25,000 is expected.