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.

No mechanical tweaks have been made to the diesel-engined supermini, so with the 1.9-litre TDI motor under the bonnet, buyers benefit from the same 130bhp and 310Nm of torque which has ensured the Skoda is such a bargain-hunting hit.

With a price tag of £12,990, the newcomer costs £615 more than a standard vRS, but company bosses claim the extras fitted are worth over £2,000. To get your hands on a vRS Special Edition, visit your local Skoda main dealer, where you will be able to take your pick from the unique numbers on offer. Any fig­ure between 0001 and 1,000 can be chosen, but they are being allocated on a first come, first served basis. Although an all-new Fabia is due to go on sale in UK showrooms in May, the next vRS will not appear here until 2008. It’s expected to be equipped with a pow­erful 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine