The Week That Was: Skoda Fabia, HSV ClubSport R8, Ford Focus

Skoda’s new Fabia light car arrived in Australia this week, having entered a new generation with new sheet-metal, new engines, new technology and an evolved platform transforming the Czech five-door from drab to fab.

The price of entry remains the same despite the myriad improvements, with the manual-only base 66TSI costing $15,990 drive away (a price that's expected to last at least until the end of 2015).

The Fabia was awarded the maximum 5-star safety rating by ANCAP ahead of its local arrival, with the top safety score also awarded to the Holden Astra and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Holden Special Vehicles treated its ClubSport R8 to the limited edition treatment to commemorate the ClubSport badge’s 25th anniversary this week.

And the good news for HSV fans is that they won’t have to hand over any additional cash to get their hands on one, as pricing matches the ‘regular’ ClubSport R8 at $73,290 plus on-roads for the six-speed manual version.

Buyers will need to hurry however, as 100 only are to be built for the Australian market and just eight destined for New Zealand.

the week that was.