The latest generation of Skoda cars are -rightfully, in our opinion- considered by most consumers as budget-priced Volkswagens under disguise, a notion that has helped the Czech automaker go from post-Communist joke to a global success story. Their newest “VW Group Transformer” is the 2010 Fabia RS that will make its world debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show

The sportiest version of the Fabia range shares a common platform as well as its engine, transmission and other hidden hardware with the VW Polo GTI and Seat Ibiza Cupra models (and certain parts with the Audi A1…).

But with one significant difference: whereas the Polo GTI and Ibiza Cupra are available only as hatchbacks, the Fabia RS also offers a Station Wagon model that could open up a new market for Skoda.

Like its German and Spanish siblings, the Fabia RS hatchback and Estate models are motivated by the VW Group’s 1.4-liter double-supercharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers an output of 180 horsepower.

A seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission with paddle-shifters transfers power to the front wheels.

Skoda said that 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration comes in 7.3 seconds for both versions with the hatchback reaching a top speed of 225km/h or 140mph, and the Estate 227km/h or 141mph.

Combined fuel consumption for both models is estimated at 6.4lt/100km, equal to 36.8mpg US and 44mpg UK.

It’s worth mentioning that the previous Fabia RS model was offered exclusively with a diesel engine.

Being a sporty model and all, Skoda’s err VW’s engineers tweaked the Fabia’s suspension and brakes and added the firm’s new XDS electronic differential which is also found on the Ibiza Cupra and Polo GTI cars.

In the styling department, both versions of the Fabia RS features subtle cosmetic upgrades that include the new front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights 17-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, tinted windows and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and dual exhaust.

Depending on the color of the body, the roof, rear spoiler and wheels for the Fabia RS hatchback can be finished in black, white or silver.

As for the interior, both cars get sports seats with “RS” logos on the backrests, a new three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals.

This is officially the release of the 5-Series Touring (see our previous post here) and the car’s exactly what you think it is in every way: a station wagon version of BMW’s 5-Series, and a damn sight prettier than the postmodern 5GT.

That means that just about anything available on the 2011 5-Series saloon (Variable Damper Control, 8-Speed Sport automatic gearbox, EfficientDynaics technology) will also be offered on the wagon.

The four engines at launch will be the 520d (184HP 2.0L diesel), 530d (245HP 3.0L diesel), 523i (204HP 3.0L petrol), and 535i (306HP 3.0L turbo petrol). Being a touring model, it’s obviously meant to be a more utilitarian take on the 5-Series.

Taking this into consideration, everything needed to get the kids to the vet or the dog to school is available: split-folding rear seat (40/20/40), luggage cover attached to the rear hatch, unique opening rear hatch window, load-leveling suspension, and roof rails (available in matte aluminum, matte black, or gloss black).

The Touring 5-er’s storage space has grown by 60 liters to 560 liters (19.8 cu ft) with the seats up, or 1,670 liters (59 cu ft) with the seats folded down. Also, BMW seems to have fixed the issue of the rear seats’ lean-in to the cargo area.

If necessary, the seats can be fixed in a more-upright position, adding 30 liters (1.06 cu ft) of space in the rear, while keeping the rear seats functional and straightening your kids’ spines. They call it “Extended Storage”; I call it a free trip to the chiropractor.

Like other upcoming BMW models, EfficientDynamics plays a key role in the car’s…efficiency.

That means Start/Stop tech, a gear shift indicator for those people who can drive with two feet, and, “completing the panoply [Noun: a magnificent or impressive array] of BMW’s…EfficientDynamics package are Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, Low rolling resistance tires, Electric Power Steering and lightweight engineering throughout the vehicle.”

With the newest generation, BMW debuts a few 5-Series Touring firsts: “The BMW 520d Touring is the first 5 Series to come with Auto Start-Stop, reducing the engine idle period when coming to a short stop”. The Touring can also be fitted with “four-wheel Integral Active Steering”, which helps cut the turning radius.

If you live in Europe, BMW’s latest executive tourer goes on sale in September

We got our first peek at Abt’s R8 GTR late last year, but like with many cars, it was a whole different experience to see it in person. To say carbon fiber has been used liberally is an understatement, as the entire car is clothed in the lightweight material. The look suits the R8, and Abt has managed to give the car a more aggressive look without going overboard. The interior is lathered in carbon fiber as well, and lightweight Recaro racing seats help reduce weight even further. In total, Abt has managed to take 220 pounds off the R8′s heft.

In addition to changing the look of the car, Abt has given the R8 more power as well. Its 5.2-liter V10 is now rated at 620 horsepower, good for a 0-100 km/h sprint of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. Other performance upgrades include an adjustable sport suspension, ceramic brake system, lightweight 18-inch wheels and Michelin Sport Cup tires.

Sound like your thing? Abt will produce just 25 examples, so get your order in soon. More details about the car can be found in the press release after the jump and live shots from the show floor in the gallery below.

After the introduction of the standard three-and five door versions of the Polo in 2009, the uber fuel-efficient BlueMotion that’s due to be launched onto the market this year, as well as the 180HP GTI model that will also have its premiere in Geneva, Volkswagen is completing the Polo series with the presentation of the new CrossPolo

Like its predecessors, the five-door only CrossPolo is a faux-offroader that tries to battle the wild jungle of city parking spaces with SUV-like elements such as rugged plastic guards that cover most of the lower body and wheel arches, a 15mm higher ride height and larger 17-inch alloy wheels in tires size 215/40.

Other specific styling cues include the uniquely trimmed front and rear bumpers, honeycomb grille, silver anodized roof rails and the high-gloss black paint finish for the cover trim of the B and C pillars and the window frames, and well, that’s about it as the CrossPolo keeps the standard model’s front-wheel drive configuration – no AWD option here.

Inside, Volkswagen focused on making the interior look more premium with two-tone fabrics sport seats, a leather steering wheel, gearbox knob and parking brake handle that all come with contrasting seams, pedal caps in aluminium look and chrome on various switches and components.

Buyers can choose from three petrol (1.2L 70HP, 1.4L 85HP and 1.2 TSI 105HP) and three common rail TDI engines (1.6L TDI with 75HP, 90HP and 105HP). Three of the six engines are offered optionally with a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission.

The fastest version of the CrossPolo with the 1.2 TSI petrol engine accelerates to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.9 seconds, reaches a top speed of 188 km/h or 117 mph and has a combined fuel consumption of 5.5 lt/100km or 42.7mpg US with 128 g/km of CO2. It is offered with a standard 6-speed gearbox or optionally, the 7-speed DSG.

All three diesel variants return a combined 4.3 litres of diesel per 100km (54.7 mpg US) and emit 113 grams CO2 per kilometer.

Volkswagen will begin accepting orders for the CrossPolo in March with first deliveries to take place in May.

After the online leakage of the Audi RS5 Coupe brochure this past weekend, there was no point in holding back anymore, so the German automaker came out with an official release on its Geneva-bound BMW M3 fighter.

Developed by Audi’s quattro GmbH division, the RS5 Coupe makes use of a revised version of the firm’s 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine found in the previous RS4 and the current R8 Coupe.

In the RS5, the tweaked V8 engine delivers a maximum output of 450-horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 430Nm (317.15 lb-ft) of peak torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. Power is transferred to all four wheels through a standard seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission and a center differential in the quattro drivetrain.

With this configuration, the 4.2 FSI propels the coupe’s 1,725 kg or 3,803 pounds from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h or 155. Upon request, Audi can increase the top speed to 280 km/h or 174mph.

Not that it concerns your average RS5 driver, but Audi says that its hot coupe averages 10.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers or the US equivalent of 21.8 mpg.

It is worth mentioning that the RS5 comes equipped with a next generation quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that incorporates a self-locking crown-gear center differential which operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring.

Under normal conditions, the upgraded quattro system splits the power 40:60 front to rear but if necessary, up to 70 percent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the tail end.

The RS5 gets a revised suspension with the car sitting 20mm (0.79 inches) lower than a standard A5 and 19-inch alloy wheels with 265/35 tires or optionally, 20-inch rims and 275/30 rubber.

It also features a more powerful braking system with 365 millimeters (14.37 inches) ventilated discs at the front axle (380mm ceramic carbon-fiber brake discs up front are offered as an option) and an electronic stabilization program (ESP) that integrates a sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

To differentiate it from the S5 Coupe with its 354HP 4.2-liter V8, Audi gave the RS5 a special exterior treatment that includes a new single-frame grille with honeycomb inserts, a redesigned front bumper with oversized air inlets at each corner and silver splitter, plus flared fenders that hark back to the original quattro model.

At the back, there’s a new rear bumper that houses a diffuser and two large oval-shaped exhaust pipes plus a hidden boot lid spoiler that automatically extends at a speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and retracts at 80 km/h (50 mph).

Interior upgrades over the standard A5 Coupe’s include a pair of sport seats, a sport steering wheel with perforated leather, red needles on the gauges and decorative inlays made of carbon fiber.

Optionally, buyers can trim the interior with decorative inlays in a dark, stainless-steel mesh look, while there’s also a Carbon design package for the engine compartment and, for the vehicle body, there are styling packages in black or matt aluminum look.

The RS5 will go on sale in Europe this Spring with a base price of around €77,700.