Performance Review: Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Skoda Fabia Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Skoda Fabia has a 1896cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Fabia shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Fabia's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1315 kgs (2899 lbs) this makes the Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Skoda Fabia shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1896cc 8V St4 engine produces 130 bhp (96 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 228 lb-ft (309.1 Nm) @ 1900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Skoda Fabia you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (123.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Skoda Fabia.

The Skoda Fabia has a Power to weight ratio of 98.8 bhp per ton and 173.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Fabia competing with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (123.7 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 (123.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Skoda Fabia generating around 173.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Audi A5 3.0tdi Quattro Cabriolet (198.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Maserati GranSport 4.2 V8 (198.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.9 secs, this made the Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp as fast as the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs) the or the 1975 Jensen Interceptor Coupe 7.2 V8 (9.60 secs). This Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp is also faster than the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.70 secs) the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 (9.70 secs) the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (9.70 secs) the and the 1984 Peugeot 604 GTi 2.8 V6 (9.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Fabia and the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG

When talking about the performance of the Skoda Fabia on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.38 secs @ 78.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (17.30 secs), the 1963 Alfa-Romeo Giulia TZ (17.30 secs), and the 1995 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (17.30 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Fabia equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Fabia Rivals List.

A Brief History of Skoda

Car Comparison