An all-new Fabia vRS is due on sale next year, but Skoda is marking the success of the outgoing car with an exclusive limited model.

Changes on the Special Edition are minor but neat. As well as exclusive Rac­ing Blue metallic paint, the newcomer has discreet red calipers to set it apart from the standard Fabia vRS.

Only 1,000 examples will be built, and inside, you’ll find a unique num­ber embossed into the Fabia’s black leather seats. Standard equipment also gets a boost, with the addition of cruise control and a six-CD multichanger.

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It’s got the class-leading Renault Clio and new Vauxhall Corsa in its sights - as well as the sales success of its predecessor. But let’s be clear. Meeting expectations in 2007 will require something very special. After all, the original Fabia accounts for half of all Skodas on the UK’s roads, and a total of 1.5 million have found homes around the world.

So the newcomer has its work cut out. Fortunately, first impressions are good. Longer and taller than the outgoing car, the Fabia shares its design with the Roomster compact MPV.

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Taking styling inspiration from the Roomster, the Fabia shuns the conservative looks of the current model in favour of a more youthful appearance. The nose is virtually identical to the supermini-MPV’s, while in profile the car is similar to Suzuki’s Swift, with an upswept window line at the C-pillar.

Set to become one of the largest superminis on sale, the Fabia is 22mm longer and 47mm taller than the outgoing model. That gives 40 litres more boot space with the rear seats in place, taking the total to 300 litres.

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