Skoda reveals new-gen Fabia light car

SKODA’s smallest car, the Fabia, has grown up all big and strong with the newly revealed fourth-generation supermini being 111mm longer and 48mm wider than its predecessor with a new range of more powerful and efficient engines set to be offered from launch.

Due here by mid-2022, the new Fabia is now underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform with the wheelbase now measuring 2564mm – 94mm longer than the outgoing version.

The increased dimensions have invariably resulted in a heap more room inside with the boot capacity growing by a considerable 50 litres to 380L, a figure which can be expanded up to 1190L by folding the rear seats down.

Despite the new bigger body – 4108mm long, 1780mm wide – Skoda says the Fabia’s drag coefficient has been reduced from 0.32 to 0.28Cd on account of its sharp new styling, the features of which bring it much more closely into line with the rest of the brand’s portfolio, especially the next-size-up Octavia.

Under its new sculpted bonnet (globally) will be the option of five different powerplants, all members of the Volkswagen Evo family of three- and four-cylinder petrol engines.

At the bottom of the range will be a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-banger available in two states of tune (48kW/93Nm, 59kW/93Nm) and paired exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission.

Above that will be two turbocharged versions developing a gutsier 70kW/175Nm and 81kW/200Nm – the same engines currently offered Down Under in the outgoing model.

The 70kW mill will also be paired solely to a five-speed manual whereas the more powerful version will score the choice of a six-speed self-shifter or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Finally at the top of the range will be a bigger turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder mill pinched from the Octavia, developing 110kW/250Nm with the only transmission choice being the familiar seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Fuel economy for all the mills is rated at between 5.1 and 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle with four of the five units said to be able to cover more than 900km between fill-ups when the 50L long-range tank is optioned.

Examining the outgoing range, we don’t expect the naturally aspirated engines to get a start in Australia however we do expect the 1.5-litre unit to materialise here, perhaps in the form of a flagship Sportline variant.

As usual for a new model, the Fabia’s technology and features game has been stepped up considerably with plenty of new gear being added both as standard and optionally including new-generation infotainment touchscreens ranging from 6.5-9.2 inches in diameter, Skoda Connect compatibility, dual-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, gesture control, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, adaptive cruise control and more.

In keeping with its motto of ‘Simply Clever’, Skoda has been sure to stack the new Fabia full of useful practicalities like smartphone storage pockets on the front seatbacks, a map and pen holder in the storage compartment in front of the gearstick, storage compartment on the tunnel in front of the rear seats with a cupholder and a removable sun visor for the panoramic roof.

According to Skoda board member for sales and marketing Martin Jahn, previous generations of Fabia had attracted a huge fan base thanks to their compact size but practical interiors as well as their safety, efficiency, functionality and value with the new model are set to build on those fundamentals.

“Our latest, fourth-generation Fabia adds an emotive design and an even more spacious interior to the proven strengths of our popular entry-level model,” he said.

“This will allow us to appeal to even more customers.”

Skoda Australia has sold 257 Fabias so far this year ending April, accounting for a slim 1.6 per cent share of the sub-$25,000 light car segment which is currently being dominated by the MG3 (4560/28.8%).