THE Skoda Fabia provides more car than the supermini segment has ever seen, as well as fresh, timeless design. It therefore delivers Skoda's key strategy by offering an "extra bit of car" at prices similar to those of its competitors.

People love their Fabias because they're stylish, reliable - one reason Hampshire police use Skodas - fun to drive, and have intelligent electronics and exceptional safety standards.

The Fabia vRS has a lot more - and thanks to Freeborn Skoda in Southampton a really great deal more.

Normally you would pay £12,375 for this high performing five-door hatchback with sporting lines and a 130hp lag-free turbo diesel engine that's so smooth you wouldn't know it was not petrol-fuelled until it came to topping up the tank.

Capable of nearly 130mph, it accelerates from 0-62mph in just 9.5sec, yet its combined cycle economy is an impressive 53.3mpg.

Freeborn's great deal is that if you order one now for an 07 plate in March you can save £880, paying just £11,495.

While the Fabia looks compact from the outside, inside is a different story. One of the largest cars in its class, the Fabia offers extensive head and legroom without jeopardising boot space, so whatever form the Fabia comes in - hatchback, estate or saloon - it is the go-anywhere car.

The clean external lines from the outside of the Fabia continue inside where quality and layout shine. The cabin offers lucidity, soft touch materials and importantly, plenty of space. With a split rear folding seat, even the hatchback will hold a set of skis.

With the rear seats folded down, the Fabia hatchback has 1,016 litres of storage, and still offers 260 litres with the seats upright.

Skoda's aim is to make its customers' lives simpler and easier - and raise a smile in the process - by caring about what they value.

It achieves this in many ways, from providing cars with clever yet simple features such as a folding hook to hang shopping bags in the luggage compartment, thereby preventing purchases falling out or spilling - to choosing retailers that provide nothing short of excellent customer service and it has the awards to prove it.

Safety standards are also high; fitted as standard on all Fabias are driver and front passenger airbags, ABS anti-lock braking, power steering, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel and a height-adjustable driver's seat.

The high-performance vRS is offered in hatchback body style only with the 1.9 TDI PD 130bhp diesel engine. Based on the Ambiente trim level, it is easily distinguishable from other Fabias by its mouth-watering specification, including:

  • Electronic chassis systems including traction control
  • Lowered suspension
  • Chrome exhaust
  • 16in alloy wheels
  • Six-speed manual transmission
  • Chrome gearknob and doorlocks
  • vRS pedal cluster
  • Sports seats with vRS upholstery
  • Sports badging

Other practical features that come as standard include:

  • Trip computer
  • Electric front windows
  • Body-coloured door mirrors
  • Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
  • Remote central locking
  • Symphony radio/single CD with eight speakers
  • Deadlocks
  • Adjustable dashboard illumination
  • Front fog lights
  • Front reading light.