The fourth-generation Skoda Fabia will be available in four trim levels, with buyers being promised a bold, stylish design, “superior connectivity and new technology”, and class-leading space and quality.
Priced from £14,905, every model gets LED headlights and a raft of driver safety aids including Front Assist, Pedestrian Protection and Lane Assist which incorporates a system called road edge detection. A DAB radio, 6.5-inch infotainment system and air conditioning appear on all entry-level models.
For an extra £1,890 ‘SE Comfort’ adds 15-inch alloys and front fog lights as well as rear parking sensors, with the interior lifted by a multifunction steering wheel, handbrake lever and gearshift knob that are all leather wrapped. To coincide with the comfort ethos, both of the front seats are height adjustable.
The range-topping ‘SE L’ commands £18,980 and, says Skoda, comes with a “packed specification list”. This includes larger 16-inch rims and chrome window surrounds as part of the body styling upgrades.
Features once reserved for the class above make an appearance on the latest Fabia, notably ambient interior lighting. Colour is further injected by air vents finished with a chrome surround, decorative grey stitch work, and a centre touchscreen that grows in size from 6.5-inches to a grander 9.2-inches.
Dual-zone air conditioning, along with LED reading lights, a removable cup-holder and a front centre armrest are also fitted as standard while the ‘Amundsen’ navigation system is backed up by 6 speakers.
Positioned just beneath ‘SE L’ is the ‘Colour Edition’ (£17,495). It could prove to be the top-seller as buyers receive 16-inch wheels, privacy glass and roof-coloured door mirrors. There is also the option to choose metallic ‘Graphite Grey’ and pearl ‘Magic Black’ hues that contrast with the roof and wheels.
‘Colour Edition’ versions boast other niceties such as keyless start/stop, Skoda’s trademark umbrella that’s housed in the door pocket, an 8-inch infotainment system, and a 10-inch digital driver display.
A sporty Monte Carlo trim will follow early 2022, although prices and specs have still to be announced.
Based on Volkswagen’s MQB-A0 platform, the German company’s range of small petrol motors can be found under the Fabia’s bonnet. Available with 64bhp and 79bhp, the three-cylinder naturally aspirated 1-litre MPI unit gets things moving and is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. Both are capable of returning up to 55mpg and CO2 emissions of 116-131g/km on the combined cycle.
The 1-lire TSI Evo is another three-cylinder engine but turbocharging pushes power up to 108bhp in its most potent guise for a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds. Manuals comprise 5- and 6-speed ‘boxes, with the Volkswagen-built 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) automatic an option for prospective buyers.
Completing the engine portfolio is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that churns out 148bhp for a 0-62mph dash of just 7.9 seconds. Even with this warm hatch performance, it still achieves 50.4mpg.
What helps the Fabia achieve class-leading efficiency is a drag coefficient (cd) of 0.28 – a first for the B-segment. This has been made possible with wheels that are said to be “aerodynamically optimised” and actively adjustable cooling shutters in the front bumper’s lower air inlet to reduce drag at speed.
This is also the biggest Fabia in the car’s 20-plus year history. Against the tape, it measures 4,108 mm nose to tail for improved cabin space. The boot has also grown by 50-litres to a cavernous 380-litres.
