Skoda Fabia RS 2000 (2011): the open-air hot-hatch

Skoda is the latest of the VW Group brands to unveil a showcar at the 30th annual Worthersee GTI festival in Reifnitz, Austria. Earlier in the week Audi unveiled their bloodshot-eyed meanie, the A1 Clubsport Quattro concept. Now the value-brand VW makers from Mlada Boleslav have unveiled the Fabia RS 2000.

The Fabia RS 2000 may look like a standard supermini inadvertantly delivered to a reality TV car-customising show. But rather than a regular edition of the Poundland Polo, Skoda started with the broad-shouldered Fabia S2000 rally car.  Then decapitated it.

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels, the Fabia RS 2000 has room for four inside and retains its rear side doors - proving that even when in ride-pimping mode the Czechs can't quite leave Skoda's sensible side behind. Inside there's enough carbonfibre to satisfy a composites fetishist, accented with Skoda's trademark green trim.

To remind a target market of around 120,000 hot-hatch drivers and VW brand fanatics descending on Worthersee that Skoda has a successful motorsports programme, their own Polo GTI-rivalling Fabia VRS and the capacity to be more than sensible family motoring.

By Mark Hamilton