Skoda Fabia vRS (mk1)

Introduced in 2003, the Fabia vRS, while not the first diesel hot hatch, was the first exclusively diesel hot hatch, having no petrol equivalent. The engine is Volkswagen Group's 1.9 L Pumpe-Düse Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel engine, producing 131 HP and 310 NM (230 lb-ft) @ 1900 rpm, with a 6 speed manual gearbox. It was named the "Diesel Car of the Year 2003" in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards. It also falls in a low tax band (Band C) in the UK, further increasing its cost benefits over its (chiefly petrol-powered) counterparts.

Official figures state 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 9.6 seconds, but several motoring magazines and websites have measured faster times (around the 7.0-7.5 seconds range) (Autocar: 7.1 seconds, Auto Express: 8.1 seconds and FastHatchbacks.com: 8.5 seconds). The in gear acceleration times are 80-112 km/h (50-70 mph) in 5.6 seconds, quicker than BMW's 330i which takes 6.0 seconds. 32-64 km/h (20-40 mph) in 2.4 seconds is as quick as the Lotus Elise 111R. Despite this the Fabia vRS can achieve better than 6.2 L/100 km (38 mpg). If driven carefully some drivers have experienced MPG rates of 3,36-3,62 L/100 km (65-70 mpg) over long periods. The Fabia vRS has a top speed of 206 km/h (128 mph).

The vRS was shown to be quicker than a similarly priced MINI Cooper around Top Gear's and Fifth Gear's test tracks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNMVzyl-cC4 (now you can see why I'm always saying that torque matters in small cars!)

In 2007 1000 Special Edition Fabia vRS models were produced featuring individually numbered black leather seats with blue piping, sporty red brake callipers, "Race Blue" metallic paint, cruise control, darkened rear windows and a 6 CD autochanger. This model was known as the Fabia vRS SE.

The last Mk1 Fabia vRS came off the production line in March 2007 - being UK 2007/07 registered.
According to Škoda UK, there were only 22 of these 2007 registered marks (not including the 1000 Special Edition vRS SEs).