Skoda had launched a sport trim for its Fabia range in a bid to steal sales from Vauxhall’s Corsa SXi and Ford’s Fiesta Zetec S.

The Sport model will sit alongside the flagship Fabia 3 and will cost £10,660.

Extra equipment includes a more sculpted front spoiler, 16-inch alloy wheels, boot spoiler, a chrome exhaust pipe and rear diffuser. Buyers will also get curtain airbags, sunset glass, sports seats, front fog lights and a three-spoke leather sports steering wheel. Skoda says the additional extras on the Sport represent £1,825, but it will charge customers a £940 premium.

Prices start at £10,660 and £11,735 respectively for the 1.2 12V (70bhp) and 1.6 16V (105bhp) petrol models.

The two diesel versions cost £12,115 for the 1.4 TDI (80bhp) and £12,795 for the larger 1.9TDI (105bhp). Insurance groupings start at 3E (for the 1.2 12V) and VED bands ranging from B to D, are also certain to keep running costs down.

The first deliveries are expected at the end of January 2008. Thereafter, the Fabia Sport will do battle with the likes of the Ford Fiesta Zetec S and Vauxhall’s Corsa SXi.

Chris Craft, head of Skoda UK, said: “There’s a proven appetite among British buyers for sporty looking cars that don’t come with the added expense of a big engine.

“The Fabia Sport looks fantastic, but won’t break the bank when it comes to insurance premiums and fuel bills, which is particularly pertinent at the moment.”