After having introduced us to the dimensions, engines and many of the technological solutions applied in the Skoda Fabia , the Czech brand has finally decided to completely lift the cloth on the fourth generation of its utility vehicle.
As you well know, in this new generation Fabia abandoned the “old lady” PQ26 platform to adopt the latest MQB A0 already used by Skoda Kamiq and by “cousins” Audi A1, SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo.
This translated into a general increase in dimensions, with the Fabia growing in every way but one: height. Thus, the Czech SUV measures 4107 mm in length (+110 mm than the predecessor), 1780 mm in width (+48 mm), 1460 mm in height (-7 mm) and has a wheelbase of 2564 mm (+ 94 mm).
Focus on aerodynamics
The new Skoda Fabia follows the same style line as the Czech brand's new proposals, maintaining the “family air” both at the front (where we have LED headlamps as standard) and at the rear, highlighting the abandonment of the brand's logo (the brand name is now in full) and a few tail lights that don't hide the inspiration from Octavia's.
Although the look of the new Fabia doesn't drastically “cut” with its predecessor, it presents considerable advances in the field of aerodynamics, with a coefficient (Cx) of 0.28 — before it was 0.32 — a value that Skoda claims to be referential in the thread.
The headlights are standard in LED.
This was achieved thanks to the use of an active front grille that closes when not needed and saves 0.2 l/100 km or 5 g/km of CO2 when driving at 120 km/h; to a new rear spoiler; wheels with a more aerodynamic design or rear-view mirrors also with an optimized design to better “cut the wind”.
Modernize was the order
If abroad the norm was “evolve without revolutionizing”, inside, the path adopted by Skoda was the opposite, with the new Fabia adopting a look identical to the most recent proposals of the Czech brand.
Thus, in addition to the new Skoda steering wheel, we have the infotainment system screen in a prominent position on the dashboard, with 6.8” (you can have 9.2” as an option); there is a 10.25” digital instrument panel among the options and the physical controls are also starting to give way to the tactile ones.
In addition to all this, the new (and more spacious) interior of the Fabia also debuts in Skoda's B-segment model the bi-zone Climatronic system.
And the engines?
The range of engines for the new Skoda Fabia had already been announced by the Czech brand on a previous occasion, with the biggest highlight being the abandonment of the Diesel engines that accompanied the Czech utility vehicle since the launch of the first generation in 1999.
Thus, at the base we find a 1.0 l atmospheric three-cylinder with 65 hp or 80 hp, both with 95 Nm, always associated with a manual gearbox with five relations.
Above this we have the 1.0 TSI, also with three cylinders, but with a turbo, which delivers 95 hp and 175 Nm or 110 hp and 200 Nm.
In the first case it is associated with a five-speed manual gearbox, while in the second it is associated with a six-speed manual gearbox or, as an option, with a seven-speed DSG (double clutch automatic) gearbox.
Finally, at the top of the range is the 1.5 TSI, the only tetracylindrical used by the new Fabia. With 150 hp and 250 Nm, this engine is exclusively associated with the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Technology on the rise
As would be expected, the new Fabia could not reach the market without considerable technological reinforcement, especially those related to driving assistants, something that the adoption of the MQB A0 platform gave a “little help”.
The 10.25'' digital instrument panel is optional.
For the first time, the Skoda utility is equipped with the “Travel Assist”, “Park Assist” and “Manoeuvre Assist” systems. This means that the Skoda Fabia will now have systems such as automatic parking, predictive cruise control, “Traffic Jam Assist” or “Lane Assist”.
Without a sporty version in the plans, the Skoda Fabia range has one more confirmed addition: the van. The guarantee was given by the brand's CEO, Thomas Schafer, but we will still have to wait for it until 2023, it seems.