| Prague, Czech Republic | Skoda Fabia vRS |

The vRS badge is back on the boot lid of the Fabia. This time Skoda has binned the hot diesel hatchback idea and fitted the Fabia with the same 180bhp 1.4-litre TSI super and turbocharged engine as you'll find under the bonnets of the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and VW Polo GTI. The exotically specified petrol engine is mated to an equally trick seven-speed DSG (twin-clutch), paddle-shifted transmission, this hot Skoda toddler packing some serious technical hardware.

In the Metal

The Fabia appears tall and narrow alongside its supermini brethren, but a 15mm drop in ride height, a more assertive look to the front and contrasting roof and door mirror colours give the Fabia a suitably racy look. It's not as overt as some of its rivals, though with a vRS badge, LED running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and chromed twin-pipe exhaust nestling under the rear bumper it's apparent that this Fabia is more than a mere shopping runabout.

You'd be pretty hard pushed to notice that inside, where the vRS makeover is limited to some deeper contoured sports seats with vRS badging and a paddle-equipped sports steering wheel. Otherwise it's largely regular Fabia inside, which is no complaint given the small Skoda's bombproof build quality and tactile plastics. It's not going to win any awards for flair inside, but the rather workmanlike interior underpins a feel that the Fabia will still look good in years to come where its more 'fashionable' rivals will have dated.

What you get for your Money

For less money than its SEAT Ibiza Cupra cousin you get the same powertrain and two extra doors (the Fabia is only available as a five-door model). The interior feels more solid and, perhaps surprisingly given the sharing of components, the Skoda feels far more fun to drive. Comparing the vRS to the Polo GTI - again with the same engine and transmission - is futile, as the VW costs around £3,000 more. Standard kit on the vRS includes all the go-faster styling and wheels, sports suspension, as well as ESP with Tyre Pressure Monitor, XDS Electronically Controlled Differential and a hill hold function and manual air conditioning.

Driving it

Let's be clear from the off: we prefer our small hot hatches to have a third pedal and a manual gearstick to shift the gears ourselves. As Skoda - and the VW and SEAT alternatives - isn't offering its hot hatch with anything but the seven-speed DSG then immediately the Fabia vRS is at a disadvantage among keener drivers. That's not to say the DSG isn't technically very impressive, it just robs the Fabia vRS of a degree of interaction that makes rivals like Renault's Clio Cup so enjoyable.

The seven ratios shift seamlessly whether you're in Drive or Sport modes or are changing ratios yourself. Certainly it seems to work better with the 1.4-litre TSI super- and turbocharged engine than the same combo does in the SEAT Ibiza Cupra. The DSG shifts when you want it too, even accepting your input at the paddles willingly, though in Sport mode it does love to rev as hard as possible, whenever possible. Drive it in Sport and you'll never get anywhere near the official 45.6mpg combined consumption figure.

Best then to leave it in Drive and take over control via the paddles when the mood takes you. Do so and the Fabia vRS reveals itself to be rapid and capable. It's covers the 0-62mph dash in 7.3 seconds, and the engine feels lively across its entire rev range. It's quiet too, until you're up in the top portion of the rev-counter needle's sweep where it becomes a bit more vocal. Pleasingly so though, the 1.4-litre TSI engine impressing with its ability to rev manically yet provide low-rev civility.

Grip is good; the XDS electronically controlled differential helps keep the vRS's nose from running wide. The steering is quick and well weighted, though there's not a huge amount of information coming through the leather-trimmed rim. What really stands out given the 15mm lower and firmer suspension is the vRS's ability to ride well even on less than perfect road surfaces.

Worth Noting

Those driving the Fabia vRS will join a band of owners who love the brand. Skoda traditionally scores well in customer satisfaction surveys, with both Which? and Driver Power recently giving the firm Best Manufacturer awards.

Summary

Undercutting its VAG cousins, yet arguably being the best to drive of the trio, the vRS is the sensible, best value choice among its relatives. We'd love to try it with a proper manual though; as clever as the DSG is it undoubtedly robs the driver of some interaction behind the wheel. With Renault's Clio Cup perilously close in terms of price we'd probably go for the more hardcore French car, but as an everyday proposition the rounded, enjoyable performance, compliant ride and practicality of the Skoda offer an impressive alternative.