With so many manufacturers focused solely on producing different models and versions of their growing EV ranges, this Fabia piqued our attention at launch earlier this year. Why? Well, for starters it's powered by a tweaked version of the familiar 1.5 TSI ICE petrol, now with 175hp, and not 130 as suggested by the badging. Then there is the body kit, 18in alloy wheels, and the chromed twin tailpipes.

It's the same inside, with the supportive sports seats and metal pedals adding to the sporty feel. So, why isn't the '130' a vRS, and why does it exist at all? It turns out the 130 is just a special-edition birthday present from Skoda to itself, as crossovers and CO2 average targets have put the hot-hatch sector in jeopardy.

But if you're on the lookout for something interesting and ICE-powered – could it be a fleet car option? We spent a week with this special Skoda to find out if it is worthy of consideration.

Design and interior

Outside, as mentioned above, the '130' looks the part, especially in our test car's Race Blue Metallic paint with the black detailing. Although, surprisingly, the '130' is based on the 'Monte Carlo Edition' that is a standard model, so it shares its kit with that – although the glossy black extensions are exclusive to the '130'.

In our opinion, this Fabia looks best from the front, with its distinctive headlights with their horizontal LED light signatures and vertical light signatures, the distinctive Skoda family front grille in gloss black, and the chunky front air dam with fog lights. Other design highlights include the red brake calipers, the low side-window line, sculpted wheel arches and chunky rear diffuser with twin exhaust pipes.

Inside, the seats, upholstery and pedals shout hot hatch, but elsewhere everything else is standard Fabia – which is a bit of a disappointment. It is all attractive and well-finished, with lots of welcome switchgear, but already looks a bit dated against the interior of a Skoda Elroq, for example. This can be seen particularly in the infotainment, which, although again easy to use, has a 9.2in screen that is small and maps that look dated.

Still, the driving position is comfortable and, being a five-door, there's the extra practicality of those doors – although legroom is compromised if there's a taller driver and passenger in the front. There is also a reasonable amount of interior stowage and a practically shaped 390-litre boot.

Performance and Drive

The Fabia 130's 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI EVO2 engine is nothing new, but has received mechanical and ECU work to take power up to 175hp. As expected, this engine is mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, which also gets revised software to give quicker downshifts. Oh, and the ESC traction control has been slackened off to allow a little more slip than before.

Power delivery is linear, but the fireworks don't really happen until the rev counter spins past 3,000rpm, then this Skoda feels quick. At its best in 'Sport' mode, as it's here that the gearbox and this engine work best together – with slick, fast changes. Elsewhere, and in other driving modes, we found it hard to be smooth with this Fabia – which was a shame.

More of a surprise is the 130's ride, which, considering the performance and 18in wheels, is well-damped and forgiving. There is a bit of body roll in corners, but this Skoda is a tidy handler and there's plenty of grip too – equalling a generally rewarding drive.

At £152 a month in tax for a 20% taxpayer, or an eye-watering £305 for a 40% taxpayer, you'll need to be committed to run this as a company car.

Then you've got to consider the uninspiring engine note and clunky DSG transmission. The MINI Cooper S Sport in five-door form is more fun to drive, but would be even more expensive to run than this Skoda! So, whilst we salute Skoda for producing the Fabia 130, there are better 'hotter' hatch options, and if you want to run a Skoda Fabia as a company car, lesser and lower-powered models make more sense – which is a shame.

Positive: Looks great, fun to drive, surprisingly composed ride.

Negative: Uninspiring engine note, clunky DSG auto transmission, dated interior.

Standard equipment: 18in alloy wheels, sport chassis, 9.2in touchscreen navigation, sports seats, LED headlights, heated steering wheel, automatic air-conditioning.