Simply Sensational. If I called a Skoda sensational four years ago I'd have been rightfully committed. Nowadays, it’s a different story. Success with the brilliant Octavia rocketed Skoda to the 'gottahave' summit. And Skoda are really only starting. Soon to be released, the new Skoda Superb looks exactly that - though another choice of name might be more appropriate.

Quality and value-for-money, Fabia is the best supermini on the market - by a metric mile. Could anyone have imagined Ford or Volkswagen using a Skoda as a standard setter? Insidious thoughts those! Not for a minute. Fabia was actually Ford's benchmark for the Fiesta. Volkswagen's Polo leans heavily on Fabia underpinnings. Despite this both newcomers will have to be eons better than their predecessors to trouble Fabia's supremacy in the supermini league. Yes, Fabia is that good.

Given an illustrious motor sport history stretching back 100 years and more recent WRC triumphs, rally aficionados won't be surprised that Skoda has finally decided to bring their motorsport heritage to the road in the shape of the scintillating Octavia RS, the fastest and most powerful, road-going car produced by Skoda.

On its haunches and some 15mm closer to the tar than its 'common garden variety' siblings, the Octavia RS is as close to its brethren as Man U are to Longford Town. Both Skodas run on four wheels. The other two play with round balls. There the commonality begins and ends. Almost. The regular Octavia is a damn good car. And I'd take Longford Town to beat Man U any day.

Visually, the RS is in-yer-face. Low and purposeful, it sits on gleaming large 16-inch alloys or optional 17-inchers. Inside and out, styling matches its performance. Its massive front bumper and large air intake, sports alloy wheels with green painted brake callipers, rear spoiler, wide stainless steel tailpipe and RS badging all point to a sporty car. On the inside the mood is the same, with sports seats trimmed in leather and metallic mesh upholstery, cold steel pedals, steel rimmed dials and leather hand brake, gear lever, and steering wheel all telling the same story.

Providing all the 'get-up-and-go' you'd ever want, the engine is a beefed-up, turbo-charged 1.8-litre, 20V turbo-charged 4-cylinder plant drawn from the powerful Volkswagen part-bin. Driving front wheels through a five-speed manual box, it's the same unit that sets alight both the Audi TT and the Seat Leon 20VT.

Mounted under the RS bonnet, the fiesty 1781cc power-provider thumps out a goodly 180bhp @5500rpm with 173 lb/ft of torque coming in between 1950 and 5000 revs per minute. Top speed is as close to 150mph as makes no odds - and 62mph, from a standing start, is reached about a second quicker than the 7.9 seconds stated in the RS's glossy brochure.

More meaningful figures for overtaking chores are a 30 to 70mph run through the gears in 6.4 seconds - or 50 to 70mph in 3rd at 4.7 seconds. In the right hands having all that pep at one's disposal actually makes for safer motoring. Where less powerful vehicles may be hard pushed to pass out a parked cart, the RS accomplishes its overtaking manoeuvres in a 'twinkle'.

Still on the safety tone, the RS packs plenty of hardware. Four airbags, ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution (EBS), front and rear foglamps, and traction control are standard. Also improving driving safety is an upgraded braking system that sports 312mm ventilated discs at the front end with 256mm solid discs to the rear.

Creature comfort and driving pleasure features include climate control. A radio cassette with six CD changer, remote central locking, height adjustable driver's seat, rake and reach adjustable steering column were standard on our test car.

On the road the RS impresses more than most. With all this power and front wheel drive, you'd expect torque steer. You get very little. The handling is deft. Yet, the ride is snug and comfortable from a chassis that's quite tight-assed and sporty. Ripples are flattened out. Potholes don't faze in the slightest. Marvels at chassis design, these Skodadites. Indeed, Volkswagen and Audi could pick up a few tips from their sister company.

Negative points - and we are nit picking here to the zenth degree - are the less than adequate medium wave band reception and a wish for a slightly more responsive steering mechanism.

Otherwise, sensationally done Skoda. At the price, nothing comes remotely close.