Articles by Neil Dowling

…but Renault may have hit the nail on the head with its inner-city commuter, the Twizy. It goes on sale in Europe late this year, baffling showgoers at its 2009 Frankfurt motor show debut who thought it was just a styling exercise. Or a bit of artistic licence. Renault - which is insisting the name won't change - is to put two models on the market. The first is the Twizy 45 - which has a weeny 4kW electric motor and because it equates to the performance of a Gopher, can be driven without a licence in some countries - at just Euro 6990 (about $9500). But you'll then need a battery which Renault will lease for about Euro 45 a month ($62). The second Twizy offers more meat. The Renault Twizy - don't confuse this with the Twizy 45 - has a whopping 15kW electric motor and starts at Euro 7690 ($10,500) with a battery lease of Euro 49 ($67) a month. The range between the Twizy's plug-in charges is 100km and it takes three-and-a-half hours to charge. Clearly made for dense inner-city motoring (and parking), the Twizy seats two in a tandem arrangement, is a mere 2.32m long and 1.19m wide. Renault says it's safe - compared with what? - because it has a deformable body; the stability of four wheels at each corner of the body; lateral beams either side of the chassis; a driver's airbag; a four-point harness at the front and a three-point safety belt at the rear. Because Twizy's occupants are protected and held in place, they are under no requirement to wear any sort of protective gear. Which is the same argument used by BMW's now defunct C1 scooter. Renault claims the Twizy's running costs - including insurance, maintenance and energy (battery lease and electricity for recharging) - are cheap as chips, working out at 15 per cent lower than those of a three-wheeled scooter. Renault says the storage space suits commuters or shoppers, with a 31-litre lockable bin beneath the rear seat. Ditch the passenger and the space goes up to 55 litres and, for even more cargo, there's three litres of stowage space either side of the steering wheel. The Twizy is one of four Renault ZE (zero emission) vehicles to be launched this year in Europe.

The German arm of General Motors today says it plans to expand its model range with a crossover SUV that will be launched in about four years. It will be joined by a small electric hatchback based on the Barina-sized Corsa and expect to play a major role in affirming Opel's position on the Australian market. Opel is expected to enter the Australian market in a co-share arrangement with Holden in early 2012. Models are expected to include the Camry-size Insignia, Astra - possibly including the GTC - and Corsa. The Corsa range could include the 151kW/280Nm OPC hot hatch. Opel vice-president for business and product planning, Frank Weber, says all models in the range are under consideration for Australia. Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke is on record as saying he wants to expand Opel's range and global territory outside of its traditional European base. "I believe that we can achieve a level of about 150,000 vehicles that we can sell annually outside Europe in three years time," he says, adding that parent GM is comfortable with that expansion as long as it is profitable and complements GM's other brands - in this case, Holden. Opel begins deliveries to Argentina and Chile late this year and to China and Australia next year. The move to a small electric car - to complement Opel's existing Volt-based Ampera electric sedan - coincides with the German Government announcing an additional $1.4 billion for research and development aid for electric vehicles. That doubles the government's investment in the technology. The funds include tax rebates, dedicated parking spots and measures aimed at promoting government use of electric cars. Germany aims to have one million electric vehicles on its streets by 2020.

The first will be the Volkswagen Up followed by a Skoda version and then one from Spanish arm, Seat. But while each shares the platform and drivetrain, the body style, cabin features and even the target audience will be subtly different, says Skoda board member for sales, Jurgen Stackmann. "We call it our New Small Car - it hasn't a name yet - which will sit under the wing of the Fabia,” he says. "It won't be a Volkswagen. This is a Skoda so the emphasis is on practicality, strength, reliability and function.” The NSC - which will share a Volkswagen 1.2-litre engine that is expected to be a three cylinder - won't, however, be sold outside Europe. "It is designed for dense cities and has been designed to be compact on the outside and spacious on the inside. "This is a clear sign that we are expanding our product portfolio. But we are a relatively small company so we have to take deliberate steps to retain our philosophy. We are the entry portal to the Volkswagen Group and a high-quality option to Asian products.” The NSC, expected to be shown at the Frankfurt motor show in September, is the first of up to four new models planned over the next three years. Mr Stackmann says the replacement for the Octavia is due in 2013 and shares some design themes with the Vision D concept car shown at this year's Geneva motor show. "That car isn't as relevant as some people believe,” he says. "But, wait two years - until 2013 - and you'll see some elements of it in a new product,” he says in reference to the next Octavia, now coded the A7. The next Octavia is predicted to move up slightly in size and likely to create a gap in the product range for a car about the same size as the Mazda3. "It's clearly a growing segment in other (non-mainstream) markets such as China, the Middle East and so on,” he says. "It would work everywhere except Western Europe,” he says, believing the trend is to smaller cars and that the current market is highly competitive. However, he won't rule it out and that means it has promise for Australia. The other vehicle could be a larger SUV built on the Superb's 4WD platform. Mr Stackmann says the SUV market was still strong but hinted that rather than a conventional wagon design, Skoda could offer something that was quite different. "It could have all the space and high driving position of an SUV but wouldn't look like any other SUV.” Asked if Skoda would consider a commercial vehicle such as one based on the Volkswagen Amarok, he says it wasn't within the company's mandate to make such vehicles. "It makes no sense. It would be a huge step outside of what we are and where we plan to go. There are just too many more attractive options.” Skoda is planning to produce 1.5 million vehicles by 2018 - up from 850,000 expected for this year and the 500,000 annual production of only two years ago. "It's a rich figure,” says Mr Stackmann of the proposed production target. "If things come together as planned, it's achievable. Kia did it - I can't see why we can't.”

FORD'S F-150, a staple diet for truck-mad Americans either hauling loads or thinking about hauling loads, is trimming its muscles.It’s 5-litre V8 engine - once as popular as hotdogs at a baseball game - has hit the skids and two V6 engines are becoming the powerplants of choice.Unprecedented? Yes. Predictable? Yes, given that this is the era of downsizing to scavenge back fuel consumption and reduce exhaust emissions.The fact that Ford's most popular model is doing it - and doing it successfully - confirms that small engines are here to stay. No surprise that others are doing something similar.The latest Volvo SUV, for example, is a 1.8-tonne family wagon now with the option of a 2-litre four cylinder. Intriguingly, it drives only the front wheels.That gives you an SUV with no off-road ability yet all that genre's versatility, practicality, safety and high-ride attitude. To boot, it's cheaper to buy, run and maintain than its 4WD sister models.VALUEThe Volvo XC60 T5 costs $54,150 which is the cheapest on the XC60 foodchain and a good $3500 more affordable than the next cheapest - the slower, thirstier and heavier all-wheel drive 3.2 version with a six-cylinder petrol engine.If you're not planning a trip to the outback or even a lazy spin on the beach, then opting for the T5 is clearly a no brainer.The feature list of the T5 is also identical to the 3.2 and the only real difference is the latter's 2000kg tow rating, up 200kg on the T5.There is a temptingly huge - and not inexpensive - option list available so be careful you don't exceed your budget.Going 2WD in the prestige end of the SUV segment isn't uncommon so Volvo hasn't got the playground to itself.However, in comparison with most, it is cheaper, offers better value (the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive), has the best safety list and I reckon better suits families, especially those with young children.DESIGNChanges to its front end has slimmed down the nose and brought it more in line with the pretty styling of the S40 and S60 passenger car models.That softens the bulky dimensions of the wagon and, combined with the elongated "S" of the tail lights, give distinction to the Volvo.Inside it's a bit more conventional but full marks to the simplicity of the dashboard and the useful storage spaces.There's a lot of thought put into making this car work for the family. Best is the two booster seats on the back seat. Better, there's two heights for kids of different sizes.TECHNOLOGYI'll labour the point - the 2-litre turbo-petrol engine in this is the same as in the Volvo S60 and upcoming Ford Falcon. It's also in other offshore things, like the new Ford Explorer SUV.It's a great powerplant and, with 177kW, will make a lot of people think twice about believing that big engines are best.Part of its appeal is the smoothness, rapid shift speed and almost lag-free action of the dual-clutch transmission. Some rival companies with similar boxes should use the Volvo unit as a benchmark.The rest of the machine is simple - MacPherson front suspension with multi-links and coils at the back, electric-assist power steering and fat disc brakes.It's good to see that the suspension is the same as the all-wheel drive models rather than pick up a comparatively crude - and cheaper - torsion beam system.SAFETYCity Safety is the system that, at low speeds, will stop the car from running into something up ahead. That could be another car, a tree, a wall or even a person.It's standard on the XC60 range. That alone puts this SUV ahead of its rivals. Then you add the full suite of electronic chassis and brake aids, a five-star crash rating and six airbags.You will have to pay $1275 for the blind-spot warning system and an extra $4175 for pedestrain alert, auto brakes on the adaptive cruise control and a queue alert when cruising busy highways. You've probably just busted your budget.DRIVINGYou'd be hard to pick this as a front-wheel drive wagon. Yes, there are times through sweeping bends where you may feel some lightness from the back end, but it's controllable and even if you stuff it up, the stability control will bring the car back on track.Though the engine is spirited, the XC60 isn't the vehicle for a fang through the hills. But I did it anyway.The biggish steering wheel is the only hinderance to the sports nature of the engine, slowing the steering reaction down and making the driver work the wheel a bit harder than a sedan.Manually picking up the six ratios gets a bit extra performance out of the engine and when downshifting, helps to slow the vehicle. But unless you're really in a hurry, the auto mode requires no effort and is almost as satisfying.The wagon is pretty big - something you feel on the road - and if it wasn't for park sensors could be awkward to park. Volvo provide big seats with wide-grain leather upholstery that is comfortable and durable. Remember that leather can repel lots of natural toxins that children tend to emit but it needs cleaning and moisturising to keep it supple.The XC60 is always comfortable, always quiet - the exception is under hard acceleration - and feels rock solid on the road.The lack of a full-size spare is annoying but given this is a city car, is not as crucial as a 4WD.VERDICTSafety sells and safety in an affordable SUV is even better. This is one of the best SUVs around and it's one of the cheapest. Win-win.AT A GLANCEVOLVO XC60 T5Price: $54,150Warranty: 3 years, 100,000km, roadside assistResale: 69% Service Interval 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 8.7 l/100km; 207g/km CO2Equipment: six airbags, City Safety, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.Crash rating: 5 starEngine: 177kW/320Nm 2-litre turbo-petrolTransmission: Six-speed dual-clutch autoBody: 5-door, 5 seat, wagonDimensions: 4627 (L); 1891mm (W); 1713mm (H); 2774mm (WB)Weight: 1740kgTyre size: 235/65R17Spare tyre: Space-saver

The funds, part of the now defunct Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF), will be used by Holden to slash the fuel consumption of its next Commodore by up to 7 per cent. Aluminium body panels, more efficient engines and better aerodynamics are Holden's key areas of development. Holden says the 7 per cent saving in fuel use "would save around 3.6 million litres of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions from the Commodore fleet by around 9000 tonnes a year''. Awarding the money at Holden's body shop in Adelaide, Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, says the GCIF is making Australia's automotive sector "more environmentally sustainable''. It is the second grant from the Fund to be awarded to Holden since the scheme started two years ago. Holden, which recently announced a 2010 profit of $112 million, received $149 million last year to build green cars, specifically local production of the Cruze small car. Holden is not alone in benefiting from the Fund. Toyota received $98 million from the Federal Govt. to build the Hybrid Camry and produce more fuel-efficient cars; and Ford received $42 million to develop the EcoBoost 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the Falcon. The Fund, which was frozen in January and funds diverted to aid natural disasters such as the Queensland floods, is one part of a more ambitious New Car Plan for a Greener Future program. This program sits beneath the umbrella Automotive Transformation Scheme, which Senator Carr says will provide support worth $3.4 billion up to 2020. Holden chairman and managing director, Mike Devereux, says the funds are "critical'' for the Australian car sector to compete on a global scale and to bring new technologies and innovations to locally-made vehicles. "Holden continues to be one of the country's largest investors in research and development and to invest in the future of automotive design, engineering and high-tech manufacturing in Australia," he says. "The assistance from the Federal Government will enable Holden to bring Australian-made firsts in fuel-efficiency and weight saving to market and to secure local jobs in the broader automotive industry." Mr Devereux says Holden's track record included improving the environmental performance of Commodore with fuel-saving technologies like Active Fuel Management on V8 models and Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) on V6 engines, "The success of Holden's product development program, and co-funded programs like the new locally-made Cruze, shows new vehicles and technologies have to be affordable and return real-world savings for the environment and for Australian drivers," he says. "Holden is also continuing to develop other low emission and alternative fuel solutions in our Ecoline portfolio including a dedicated LPG Commodore and E85 flex-fuel capability on the 3.6 litre SIDI V6 engine later this year." Senator Carr says the New Car Plan is the catalyst for introducing new technologies into locally-made cars including "hybrid engines, electric vehicles, new fuel systems, batteries and light-weighting''. "The Plan is instrumental in enabling the Australian automotive industry to emerge from the global economic crisis in better shape than many of its international counterparts,'' he says. "The industry is producing higher-quality vehicles with high-skilled, high-wage jobs for Australians.''

…will become Porsche's panacea in boosting performance but slashing emissions. Rumoured to become standard on the new 911 range - which goes public at September's Frankfurt motor show - the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) device captures energy from braking and stores it in a flywheel. It is then available to "top up" engine power when needed. The flywheel, which is about 100mm wide, will sit between the engine and the gearbox. It's size is equal to reports that the new 911 - coded the 991 - will have a wheelbase 100mm longer than the current 997 model. The KERS will also assist in moving weight distribution closer to the centre of the car, a bonus for the rear-engined 911. A KERS device was fitted to Porsche's concept 918 racer, the RSR Hybrid, but was used to charge batteries for electric motors. It was also used in an earlier 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Porsche test driver Walter Rohrl, interviewed by Carsguide earlier this year, says the KERS system provided "fantastic" acceleration but was "extremely noisy". That device was fitted in the position normally allocated for the passenger seat and was in a bare-metal shell racer. Putting it away from the cabin should eradicate potential noise issues. Porsche will launch the 991, at least in the less expensive versions, with a smaller-displacement engine. But the new 3.4-litre - down from 3.6-litre - is still expected to have a similar 254kW/390Nm output and yet faster acceleration. Though bigger - it's expected to be about 70mm longer - the new 991 will be lighter than the current 997 thanks to an expanded inventory of alloy panels and mechanical components. KERS is an energy recuperation system that takes energy from braking and moves it to electrical or mechanical storage systems. The Porsche system for its 991 is expected to be a mechanical-hydraulic system where the pressure of the braking is transmitted by fluid to the flywheel. KERS was used by some Formula One teams in 2009. It was promptly banned by the FIA for the 2010 season as an "unfair advantage" but is now allowed for the 2011 season. The mechanical version takes energy from braking and transmits that to a small flywheel that spins up to 80,000rpm. When extra power is needed - by pressing a button on the dashboard - the flywheel is connected by a clutch to the drivetrain. It adds a reserve of power - topped up every time the car brakes - that can reduce demands on the engine, lowering fuel and emissions and giving additional performance to smaller-capacity engines. Additional weight of the flywheel is about 35kg. Formula One cars are limited to a maximum KERS output of 60kW for up to 6.67 seconds per lap. F1 teams say KERS can reduce lap times between 0.1 seconds and 0.4 seconds a lap.

Since General Motors pulled the pin on it last year, it's recent history reads like a soapie that's full of financial lows and potential highs mixed in with a globetrotting search for a new shareholder.It was to be spun off from its single biggest shareholder Spyker, then failure to secure funds saw its suppliers shut the doors, abruptly ceasing production.Then there was an agreement with China's Hawtai Motors but that was scrapped after no-one could agree to the terms, then a rumoured deal with Great Wall Motors - denied by the Chinese - and now another China relationship.Saab overnight issued a press release saying it has signed a memorandum of understanding with car distribution company Pang Da Automobile Trade.Pang Da is the biggest public - it listed three weeks ago - vehicle distribution chain in China with 1100 dealerships. Saab says the memorandum commits the Chinese company to this month buy about $41 million worth of Saab cars and then another $20 million worth next month.Pang Da will also pay $90 million for a 24 per cent stake in Saab's parent, Spyker.For Saab, the deal represents a 50 per cent ownership in a distribution joint venture to sell Saab products. A separate 50 per cent stake in a manufacturing joint venture has also been agreed upon, though the manufacturing partner has yet to be named.The manufacture would be of Saab cars and Chinese-badged Saab "clones". Spyker and Saab CEO Victor Muller says the partnership would "create a strong business, initially in the distribution and subsequently in the manufacturing of Saab vehicles in China"."Pang Da is a forward-looking, profitable and well-capitalised public company that, as the single largest automobile distributor in China, sees enormous potential for our brand in their home market," he says.The CEO of Pang Da, Mr Pang Qinghua, says the deal will "further enhance the competitive position of the Saab brand in China"."With the new products Saab has launched since it became an independent car manufacturer early last year, such as the all new Saab 9-5 and the Saab 9-4X which have been widely acclaimed, and not in the least the upcoming successor to the current Saab 9-3, we believe the timing is perfect for Saab to enter the Chinese market,' he says in a statement."Our size, financial strength and competence in addition to our ability to move fast will be crucial to Saab's success in China." But it's not cut and dried yet. Saab says that some of the transactions are subject to "consents from certain Chinese governmental agencies, the European Investment Bank, GM and the Swedish National Debt Office."

The move acknowledges Skoda as a vital cog in the 10-brand VW machine and now gives it carte blanche to target the family market while the Volkswagen brand steps up to sit beneath Audi. While it leaves Seat - the Spanish arm of Volkswagen - adrift as a specific segment producer, it's all good news for Czech-based Skoda. Expansion includes the introduction of Fabia and Yeti later this year, new Octavia by 2013 and more versions of the large-car Superb. Superb gets another engine choice, this time the 103kW version of the existing - and ongoing - 125kW 2-litre unit. The power trim is enough to also cut back the bucks. In its front-drive format, Skoda Australia boss Matthew Wiesner says it will get the price down to the high $30,000s. "For large car buyers wanting diesel in sedan or wagon, it's a great opportunity,'' he says. "Superb is in the large car segment that has a 20 per cent fall in sales - but I think that's more the local large cars falling in popularity rather than the others. I'm happy with the way Superb.is going.'' Wiesner says getting hold of diesels is difficult. "We can't get enough of the diesels,'' he says. "Superb is 35 per cent of our total volume. In the range, 65 per cent are wagons and 80 per cent of the wagons are diesel.'' The introduction of the smaller-output diesel is aimed at trimming back the price. On the specification sheet, the difference in power and torque between the 125kW and the 103kW isn't large.  "We know that the 103kW will make the model more affordable - it will be under $40,000 - so will appeal to a bigger audience,'' he says. "We have the 125kW TDI now which has strong demand outside the fleet sector. “In saying that, we see the advantages of being in fleet because it introduces the car directly to potential buyers - it's the 'bums on seats' mentality. For this reason we have put almost 300 cars with Europcar, on its rental fleet, and we've had a fair degree of success with that leading to sales of Superb and Octavia.'' The 103kW diesel will come as a front-wheel drive version from August and then in the new year as an all-wheel drive in both sedan and wagon. Wiesner says he sees similarity with Subaru in the marketing of Skoda. "Subaru has a Liberty and an Outback as we have the Superb 2WD and a 4WD. In the same way, Octavia 4WD wagon would equate to the Impreza and the Octavia Scout would be the same as Forester.''

Funny name and unusual looks hide a very practical offering from that most pragmatic of carmakers, Skoda. Here in September and loaded with family-friendly features, Skoda says its Yeti SUV is bound for sales success.To help ensure victory, Skoda is upping the numbr of its dealers by about 20, making about 60 outlets with the feather logo in ction within a year. Skoda Australia is keeping its distance when talking price.But, as a dartboard exercise, about $27,000 for the front-wheel drive 77kW petrol manual and about $33,000 for the all-wheel drive 103kW turbo-diesel with the DSG auto is about right. That's also in rival Japanese and Korean territory.Skoda's head in Australia, Matthew Wiesner, says other engine variants, including a 118kW turbo-petrol with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive, will follow later.VALUESkoda will show the Yeti at the Melbourne motor show - along with a new Superb model and the Fabia range - and then put it in showrooms in September-October.At an estimated $28,000 for the front-drive petrol, it equates to the Nissan Dualis 2WD Ti at $29,690; Toyota RAV4 2.4 CV ($28,990); Kia Sportage Si 2WD ($26,490); Mitsubishi ASX 2WD ($25,990); and Hyundai ix35 Active ($26,990).A lot of the Yeti's value lies in its reliability, safety features, durability and functionality. But customers may baulk - at least with this entry-level model - by the manual transmission and unorthodox styling.TECHNOLOGYThe underpinnings are all VW Tiguan but, like the difference between the Polo GTI and the Skoda Fabia RS, there's an awful lot of detail in how the suspension has been tuned and how the steering is set up.The base engine is the superb 1.2-litre 77kW turbo-petrol engine also found in the Polo and Fabia. The 103kW turbo-diesel has been around for a long time and is in no need for a change.It gets mated to the all-wheel drive system and a six-speed DSG box. The drive system is a Haldex arrangement that on dry roads puts 96 per cent of torque through the front wheels. It has sensors that detect speed variations between front and rear wheels and then can divert up to 90 per cent of torque to the rear.There's also a rear limited slip differential to ensure torque goes evenly between the two wheels.DESIGNThe Yeti is the same length as a Volkswagen Golf but has considerably more cabin room - mainly in height - so can afford to have the rear theatre seating and cary tall cargo. Subjectively, it's a Roomster without the quirky bits.In fact, despite its unusual round driving lights up front, its profile and rear views show it as a neat, functional family wagon. The fact that so much thought has gone into things like versatile cargo space, personal storage for occupants, big windows for visibility and so on, that it just feels so functional.Part of the Yeti's appeal is its flexibility. It has Skoda's VarioFlex seating arrangement so individual seats can move on runners, split and fold, reclined and even removed. The rear seats are 20mm higher than the front so this theatre seating gives children a better view.SAFETYIt gets a five-star crash rating, all the necessary chassis aids including the full suite of airbags and Volkswagen's electronic safety gear such as stability and roll control. It even has a full-size spare wheel.DRIVINGIts height makes it look like a people mover and that may indicate it has the same bodyroll and vague handling of such a van. In fact, the Yeti is beautifully taut and controllable. It sits flat on the road and is always composed.It can be flung into a corner and the steering wheel rolled on without any dramas. The 103kW tested is a lazy engine and that masks the fact that the performance is pretty special. With the DSG it will slip quickly up through the gears and cruise quietly and frugally at 120km/h (Czech posted speed limit) though has plenty in reserve for overtaking.The dashboard is simple and effective but I wasn't alone in making more than a few attempts to get comfortable behind the wheel. The high seating position, angle of the steering wheel and location of the pedals creates a sit-up-and-beg attitude by the driver that takes some time to get used to.In its favour, the high seats make it very easy to get in and out of the vehicle - a bonus for the frail and elderly - and reduces the need to lean into the car to extract babies from capsules and grocery bags from the boot.VERDICTChange your mind about what you want your car to do and the Yeti may just fit into all your parameters. A surprisingly practical and efficient car.

A fiery Czech, with links to Volkswagen's top-rated Polo GTI, is joining Skoda's small-car invasion. But while the 132kW Fabia RS shares the Polo's underpinnings, Skoda broadens its appeal by offering it in two body styles - a hatch and a wagon - and plans a February debut in Australia.It's a fresh face for Australia but its arrival will be eased in September by cheaper Fabias - the 77kW Fabia hatch which has two models; the entry-level for about $18,000 and a special edition Monte Carlo, wearing all the hot-hatch clothing of the RS, for about $22,000.These two arrive only with manual transmissions with Volkswagen's DSG auto following in the new year. The RS, like the Polo GTI, is only available with DSG.VALUESkoda Australia claims up to a 10 per cent discount to a similar product from Volkswagen. Based on the Polo GTI's $28,990 entry, it means the Fabia RS five-door hatch could hit Australian showrooms as low as $26,000 and less than $28,000 for the roomier wagon.That's good buying for a four-seat car that goes like stink and looks the part as well. Knowing it's a GTI under the skin won't affect street cred by those who know, but down the road you have to ask if used car values won't favour the near identical Polo.Regardless, the Fabia looks good, has all the features and is a great drive for the price.DESIGNSkoda says it has the upper edge by delivering the RS in two body styles. True, the wagon adds more centimetres to boot space and will mix it in the wild world of family duties quite well.The wagon also looks less blunt in styling. The extra length over the rear wheels - the wheelbase is the same as the hatch - nicely smooths out the shape of the tail.Inside, cabin treatment is very good though the hard plastic dash top shines in the sunlight and doesn't look properly finished where it meets the dashboard's soft-feel vertical surfaces.Squeeze your eyes almost closed and the cabin is Polo. The difference is in the detail.TECHNOLOGYAgain, like the Polo, the 132kW turbocharged-supercharged engine behind the fluted grille does a stirling job. It's to be expected. The same applies to the DSG, steering and suspension which is Polo, Polo and Polo.Given that Carsguide last year gave Polo top honours as Car of the Year, it's all premium stuff.SAFETYSix airbags, electronic stability control and a five-star crash rating is all great news in a small car. The full-size spare wheel is a bonus.DRIVINGIf all the data says Polo, it drives like a Polo. Yes? No. The car feels less flighty and that can be attributed to the choice of tyres - 205/40R7 Continentals - and perhaps some extra weight, suspension tuning and maybe a bit of tweaking to the power steering unit.The ride is firm but not choppy. It is better in terms of compliance than the Polo GTI which, by comparison, is harsh. This is the RS's biggest surprise - it rides like a bigger car and there's a suppleness that is unlike rival small cars.Yet all this doesn't appear to greatly affect handling. It can, when pushed hard, carry itself into a corner with a bit more understeer than its sibling, the RS hatch. But it is such a controllable car with precise steering so minor errors made when the road curves can be adjusted quickly.Seating is sufficient roomy though some heavier Australians may not initially like the traditional narrow Skoda seats. On the road it is remarkably sprightly. The engine will yell all the way to the 7000rpm redline but never shows malice.It is a smooth, very responsive engine that, if driven with less haste than me, could produce some remarkable fuel economy figures.The street roads in the Czech Republic, where this test was held, contain a lot of cobblestones - both the old stone rounded type and the new-wave blocks of granite. The tyre noise and the jarring is awful and even a Czech-built car isn't immune.VERDICTSharing with one of the world's greatest small cars doesn't hurt Skoda one bit and the price discount will do a lot for the brand name in Australia. But is the price discount worth it?SKODA FABIA RS WAGONPrice: est. $28,000Engine: 1.4-litre, 4-cyl petrol super-turbo, 132kW/250NmBody: 5-door wagonWeight: 1373kgTransmission 7-speed DSG, front driveThirst: 6.2L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 143g/kmWarranty: 3-years/unlimited kmService Interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 5-star Euro NCAP