Skoda Launches Race-Package for Facelifted Fabia Hatch

Shortly after the announcement on the release of the Seat Ibiza SC Sport-Limited edition (see here), Skoda's German arm went ahead and announced the launch of a similar sport kit named "Race Package" for its recently facelifted Fabia hatchback.

The Race-Package is available on the 68HP 1.2-liter and 85HP 1.2-liter TSI petrol models and it includes a front spoiler, a new apron for the rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, chrome exhaust tail pipe cover, white-colored roof and special graphics that run across the top and sides of the car.

Completing the upgrades are the exclusive to this package 17-inch alloy wheels in a white finish and a sports suspension that lowers the hatchback's ride height.

Prices in Germany start from €15,560 (about US$19,000) for the 68HP model and from €16,810 (approx. US$20,500) for the more powerful but far more sporty 85HP version.

Wörthersee 2010: Skoda Fabia RS+ and Octavia RS+ in the Flesh

Skoda used the GTI event at the Austrian lake Wörthersee over 12 – 15 May to display customized versions of its Fabia RS and Octavia RS models along with two Fabia Super 2000 race cars.

The fans' attention was of course focused on the tuned Fabia RS+ & Octavia RS+ vehicles that were used to present special optical packets and color adaptations based on self-adhesive foils.

Inspired by the Fabia S2000 rally car, the Fabia RS+ features a two-tone gray and lime paint theme with matching alloy wheels and a spoiler kit that includes front spoiler, side skirts and a rear diffuser.

The hot hatch also gets a new bonnet with sculpted air vents, smoked headlamps and a black front grille as well as an updated interior with bucket seats and a sportier trim.

The Octavia RS+ boasts similar changes featuring the same grey exterior color with contrasting lime alloy wheels and a more aggressive body kit with front and rear spoilers and a new rear diffuser.

The black-tinted headlamps, integrated LED-based taillights, blacked-out front grille and the upgraded interior with lime-colored accents and leather surface stitching, round off the changes on the Octavia RS+.

Photos: UP

Skoda Launches Spicy Fabia vRS Models in the UK

Skoda has confirmed prices and specifications for the new Fabia vRS models (simply RS for the rest of Europe) that will be officially launched in the UK on Thursday, 29 July, 2010.

Available as five-door hatchback and for the first time as an estate with prices set at £15,700 and £16,495 respectively, both Fabia vRS models are powered by a 1.4-liter twin-supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a 7-speed DSG transmission with paddle-shifters.

Acceleration from 0-62mph (100km/h) takes 7.3 seconds for both models, with a top speed of 140mph (225km/h) for the hatch and 141mph (227km/h) for the estate.

Standard features include ESP, HHC (Hill Hold Control) and XDS (Electronic Differential System) as well as 17-inch 'Gigaro' alloy wheels, LED daylight running lights, sunset glass and a vRS body kit.

Skoda said that customers can also choose an optional white or black roof with a range of body colors, including the new Rallye Green, inspired by the Fabia S2000 rally car.

Interior appointments include body-hugging sports seats up front, a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with radio controls and paddles for changing gear and MDI (Multi-Device Interface) for use with iPods and other mp3 players.

Skoda Unveils Eco-Friendly Greenline Versions of Facelifted Fabia and Roomster

Following on from the launch of the refreshed Fabia and Roomster models at Geneva Motor Show this past March, Skoda has now released the environmentally-friendly GreenLine versions of the two models.

Leaving aside the subtle aesthetic changes that are the same as on the standard Fabia hatch and Roomster MPV, the most important innovation on both GreenLine II models concerns the introduction of the VW Group's new 1.2-liter three-cylinder supercharged diesel engine that produces 75-horsepower.

The new diesel unit is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox with identical ratios as the one fitted on the ordinary Fabia and Roomster models with the same engine.

Both Fabia and Roomster GreenLine II models feature the usual roster of environmentally friendly touches.

These include stop-start technology, a new energy recuperation system that utilizes the vehicle's kinetic energy for battery recharging, a lowered and aerodynamically-covered chassis, low rolling resistance tires and a gear recommendation light on the dashboard.

These measures result in a combined fuel consumption of just 3.4lt/100km (equal to 69.2 mpg US and 83.1mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 89 g/km for the Fabia GreenLine II, and 4.2lt/100km (equal to 67.3mpg UK and 55.9 mpg US) and 109 g/km for the Roomster GreenLine II.

Skoda to Bring Special Fabia RS+ and Octavia RS+ at Wörthersee Meeting

The VW Group will be going full force at next week's GTI tuning event at the Austrian lake Wörthersee. Aside from the two special VW Golf GTIs and seven Audi A1s, the German group will also showcase conceptual versions of the new Fabia RS and the Octavia RS.

Inspired by the S2000 rally model, the Fabia RS+ design study will be wrapped in a two-tone vinyl with matching green alloy wheels. The hot hatch will also feature an aero kit that includes a new bonnet with air vents, front spoiler, side skirts and a rear diffuser, as well as an updated interior boasting bucket seats and a sportier trim.

No word if Skoda's engineers fiddled around with the Fabia RS' mechanical hardware, but as a reminder, the standard version is powered by a 180HP 1.4-liter TSI turbocharged petrol engine that drives the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission with paddle-shifters.

The Octavia RS+ will feature similar mods including an aero kit, new alloy wheels in a green tint and an upgraded interior. Again, Skoda did not say if it made any performance updates to the car's suspension and/or the 200HP 2.0 TSI engine.

We'll have full details and pictures of both cars at next week's Wörthersee event.

Skoda Begins Full Production of Fabia in Russia

The facelifted version of the Fabia supermini has become the second model in the Skoda range after the Octavia to enter full-cycle production at the VW Group's Kaluga plant in Russia, the automaker announced today. Full-cycle production includes welding and painting.

The Volkswagen Group opened the factory in Kaluga in November 2007, and its planned capacity is 150,000 cars a year.

"The Skoda Fabia is such a popular vehicle in the Russian market and we happy to say that it is now the second all-Russian car of our brand," said Petr Janeba, Head of Skoda Russia.

The 2010 Fabia will be available at all official Russian dealerships from the beginning of May 2010.