Small Skoda upwardly mobile

CONSIDERING the relatively low kick-off price of the superseded Fabia, Skoda’s sole new entrant in the local light-car class represents a big uptick in price, with the Monte Carlo Edition 150 pitched at $37,990 drive away.

In runout, the previous Fabia started at $21,990 drive-away, topping out at $29,120 drive-away for a fully optioned wagon.

Skoda Australia justifies the hefty price increase for new 5-door Fabia by offering buyers exclusivity in a premium-specified, tiddler-size hatch packed with a swag of features as standard equipment.

The Monte Carlo name has been used by Skoda before and dates back to 2011 Fabia Monte Carlo, which was a similar spin-off, trim-grade version of mainstream Fabia.

That car proved exceedingly popular to the point where it was included as a permanent fixture in Skoda’s line-up at the time.

In the new Fabia Monte Carlo, the formula is similar, right down to the black interior tones with contrast striping on the seats. It involves cramming in just about every possible Fabia option available and promoting the car as a sporty model. 

Skoda Australia says the fourth-gen Fabia, which will reach showrooms next month, represents “a considerable step forward in terms of technology and performance” over its long-serving predecessor.

“The new Monte Carlo Edition 150 (so named for its output – in brake horsepower) hatchback is a bigger, quicker and smarter car that occupies an altogether more premium position,” the brand says.

"Perhaps no new model better embodies Skoda’s journey in Australia than the new Fabia Monte Carlo,” Skoda Australia's brand director, Michael Irmer, said.

"Far from being a budget European brand (as it was initially perceived), last year the average drive away price of a new Skoda was $52,000.”

"The value of Skoda is in providing the most metal, the latest in technical sophistication and the best whole-of-life ownership proposition for the money. We have launched the new generation Fabia in its top-line configuration because this is what our customers tell us they want from a Skoda.”

"As well as being packed with every item of equipment and technical refinement available… the Monte Carlo Edition 150 provides the best whole-of-life affordability of any European brand,” Mr Irmer added.

The Skoda Monte Carlo Edition 150’s service packs are priced at $1500 for five years and $2100 for seven years, with the four-year used car pack listed at $1300.

Under the bonnet is a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Skoda’s powertrain is supplemented with a cross-differential system (XDS+) and electronic differential lock (EDL).

The variant’s claimed fuel consumption is 4.9-litres/100km (using 95RON fuel), which means that it has a potential driving range of up to 800km on a full (40-litre) tank.

In addition to sticky tyres and big wheels (18-inch alloys with black highlights), handling is aided by ventilated discs (front), solid discs (rear) and a sports suspension (allied with drive-mode selection).

Fabia Monte Carlo Edition 150 is 4108mm long, 1780mm wide, 1459mm high, has a 2564mm wheelbase and a kerb weight of 1270kg. Its 390-litre load bay is said to offer 1190 litres of utility space when the rear seats are folded forward.

The variant is distinguished by its black grille and spoiler, mirrors, rear diffuser and badging, while the cabin is fitted with aluminium finish pedals, black headlining and pillar trim, aluminium door sill trims, as well as a 9.2-inch Amundsen infotainment with touchscreen and satellite navigation.

The driver sits behind a virtual cockpit screen in sport bolstered seats with a “D” cut steering wheel.

Taming motive forces to the front wheels are anti-lock brakes (ABS), with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), hydraulic brake assist, multi-collision brake and rain-brake support.

Other safety systems include electronic stability control, -drag-torque regulation and anti-slip regulation (ASR), while a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist technology is fitted. The latter incorporates adaptive cruise control, Front-, Lane- and Side Assist (blind-spot detection).

All Skoda passenger models are backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.