Skoda reveals new Fabia 19 | 08 | 2014
SKODA HAS REVEALED its new Fabia supermini: the car is scheduled to go on sale in Scotland early next year, with prices expected to start at around £10,000.
Due to be unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show at the beginning of October, the new model replaces the current seven-year-old Fabia.
And Skoda believes the new model is "a sportier vehicle" and "the result is a young, fresh and modern compact car that sets new standards in its segment."
The new generation Fabia is 30mm lower in height compared to the model it replaces, is still less than 4m long, but, significantly, is 90mm wider. That means not only more interior cabin space for occupants, but also ensures the car should feel more planted due to its lower centre of gravity.
Clearly the car also has a more contemporary look, plus bootspace has been increased to around 330-litres.
Based on the latest version of the VW Group’s PQ26 platform, which was first used on this year’s updated VW Polo supermini, the Fabia will be available with a comprehensive selection of powerplants.
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In addition to a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol first used in the VW Up and the Skoda Citigo, there will also be a series of four-cylinder 1.2 turbocharged engines. It's expected these will develop between 89bhp and 109bhp. Both 1.0 and 1.2 engines are EU6-compliant.
Expect also to see the option of DSG dual-clutch automatic transmissions offered with the four-cylinder models.
The range-topping Fabia — Skoda has no plans to introduce a vRS model in the new range — will be the 74bhp, 1.4 Greenline turbodiesel which is expected to return impressive figures of 91mpg and82g/km of CO2.
And while the third-generation's Fabia will also have the option of touchscreens, in essence ‘mirroring’ the driver’s smartphone screen, Skoda will also offer a Monte Carlo version of most models.
These will be available with a choice of roof colour and matching door mirrors and wheel rims. In total across the range, 15 body colours will be available, plus three interior trim levels and the option of a 15mm lower chassis.
The new Fabia has been welcomed by Jozef Kaban, Skoda’s chief designer, who believes the new model marks a decisive shift in the brand’s design language.
"This new design direction is the next step in the development of our brand and the new Skoda Fabia is the first model to communicate our new design language," Kaban said. "Drawing on elements of the SkodaVisionC design study, the Fabia is more expressive, more dynamic and sportier.
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"The Fabia remains more than true to its fundamental virtues and is more spacious, practical, economical and clever than ever before. Despite its more dynamic design, we have increased the space in a number of important areas.
"The boot is bigger and has the largest capacity in its class, the interior is both wider and longer. In addition, we offer up to 10 new ‘Simply Clever’ solutions, including MirrorLink technology, available in a Skoda vehicle for the first time, to connect a smartphone to the vehicle.
"Furthermore, this compact car is up to 17% more economical and has innovative assistance systems from higher class cars. Our new Fabia proves that emotionality and functionality complement each other perfectly.
"We designed the grille and the headlights so they appear optically stronger as a graphical unit. This makes the car appear wider, as does the powerfully-contoured bonnet with the two distinctive beadings on the sides.
"The wide and precision-cut headlights, alongside the width-enhancing fog lights, add to this effect. The clear horizontal structure of the back of the car also demonstrates strength. The powerful silhouette, together with the high, sharp tornado line creates more dynamics.
"During the development of the third-generation Fabia, we focused on creating a sportier vehicle and made the design altogether crisper. The result is a young, fresh and modern compact car that sets new standards in its segment."
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Jim McGill