2010 SKODA Fabia Combi RS 1.4L TSI (180 HP)

Vehicle Overview

While many European carmakers already offered station wagons for small-segment cars, Skoda chose to install also a punchier engine for its Fabia Combi, thus revealing the RS version.

While the mundane Fabia Combi mainly was used by small families, taxi drivers, and rental companies, the RS was offered to those who wanted a wolf in sheep’s clothes. The exterior showed a few details that could warn other drivers not to challenge the little, mundane-looking station wagon. At the front, the vehicle sported a new bumper with a broad, trapezoidal-shaped lower grille flanked by two side scoops that hosted the foglights. Running on 17″ light-alloy wheels was unusual for small-segment vehicles. Also, there was a set of side sills, aerodynamically profiled. At the back, on top of the tailgate, Skoda installed a roof spoiler. To complete the sporty image, the Fabia Combi featured a chromed twin-exhaust tip.

Inside, there were many features shared with the rest of the Fabia range, such as the dashboard and center console. Yet, the carmaker added new high-bolstered seats and RS-specific fabric upholstery. Moreover, the carmaker spoiled the driver with aluminum pedals and an RS-badged steering wheel. At the back, the regular split-folding bench expanded the trunk from a decent 480 liters (16.9 cu-ft) to 1226 liters (43.3 cu-ft). That was more than most hatchbacks could offer.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a 1.4-liter supercharged and turbocharged engine carried over from Volkswagen pumped out to provide 180 PS (177 hp). It was paired as standard to a seven-speed automatic transmission (dual-clutch), allowing the driver to drive as fast as a regular, compact-sized, hot-hatch.