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The 'Škoda Fabia' is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 2000. It is the first model to use the Volkswagen Group's A04 platform, which it shares with the Volkswagen Polo Mk IV and SEAT Ibiza. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001. The Fabia is available in hatchback, estate (named 'Fabia Combi') and saloon (named 'Fabia Sedan') body styles while from 2007 merging in the second generation - starting with hatchback and awaiting the new estate version. The saloon variant is not planned for the second generation.

Contents

First generation (1999-present)

Engines

Trim levels

Fabia vRS

Second generation (2007-present)

Engines

Features

Safety

Awards

References

External links

First generation (1999-present)

The first generation Fabia was officially presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1999 and production of this model started in October the same year. The estate version Fabia Combi was introduced in September 2000 at the Paris Motor Show.
The range starts with the 1.2 6v Classic (which is cheaper than Volkswagen's smaller 3-door 1.0 Lupo) to the 1.9 PD TDi vRS.
Part of the Fabia's success is the fact that all of its mechanical parts are developed by or in conjunction with Volkswagen, but are offered in a package that is priced to undercut other models in the Volkswagen Group. The only trace of non-VW Škoda left in the Fabia is the 1.4 8v "MPI" Engine, which was a modification to Škoda's own 1.3 engine, and was used in pre-Volkswagen Škodas such as the Estelle and Favorit.
In 2005 the Fabia received a facelift, with changed front fog lights and grille, slightly different rear lights, new steering wheel and revised specification levels. Also the vRS had its final gearbox ratio changed. Most importantly the Sport model was added, with the 75hp 1.4 petrol being offered with a manual transmission. This engine was quickly dropped for the 1.2 HTP, which was not as powerful but is a much more free revving engine giving a more sporty feel, the sport also had its specification changed to include red seat belts and sunset privacy glass from the B pillar to the rear.
Again in 2006 the Fabia range shown at the Geneva Motor Show had minor specification revisions. These include a center rear head rest, a central three-point seatbelt and an additional four bodywork colours. The 1.4 16v 75 bhp petrol engine is to be replaced with a more powerful 1.4 16v 79 bhp engine.

Engines

The term MPI (Multi-Point Injection) is used by Škoda to differentiate from 16v models and (in the case of the Octavia) FSI engines. The 75 bhp version of the 1.4 16v was only mated to Volkswagens four-speed automatic transmission with fuzzy logic operation until the addition of earlier sport models which mated it with a manual transmission. The 1.4 8v was dropped in 2003 as it will fail to meet future emissions requirements. Its performance is heavily hampered by its old OHV (Pushrod) design. The Fabia's overall performance and fuel consumption figures fall behind other city cars and small family cars as it is larger and heavier. However, the 1.2 HTP Engine was developed specifically for the Fabia and offers better performance and fuel economy, but later used in Volkswagens own Polo due to its high acclaim. HTP Stands for High Torque Performance.

Trim levels

Later in the Fabia's life the mid-range Comfort Model was dropped for the name Ambiente to fit in with the rest of the range. Other models include and included the Ambiente, Ambiente SE, Blackline, Silverline, Sport, Bohemia (Estate) and vRS. Various safety features and minor changes were made over time. Easy and Junior models are sold in Eastern European markets where budgets are lower. Some of these Fabias do not even have painted bumpers or gloveboxes. Also sold in such markets is the Fabia Praktik, which is a panel van version of the Fabia with the rear windows and seats removed. A lesser powered version of the 1.4 MPI with just 60 bhp is also sold in Eastern Europe.

Fabia vRS

Introduced in 2003, the Fabia vRS, while not the first diesel hot hatch, was the first exclusively diesel hot hatch, having no petrol equivalent. The engine is VW Group's 1.9 litre Pumpe-Düse Turbocharged-Diesel producing 96 kW (129 hp) and 229 ft·lbf (310 Nm) at 1900 rpm, with a six speed manual gearbox. It was named the "Diesel Car of the Year 2003" in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards. It also falls in a low tax band (Band C), making it a lot cheaper to run than some of its counterparts
Official figures state 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 9.5 seconds, but several motoring magazines and websites have timed this to faster (around the 7.0-7.5 seconds) (Autocar: 7.1 seconds,^[1] Auto Express: 8.1 seconds,^[2] and FastHatchbacks.com: 8.5 seconds^[3]). The in gear acceleration times are 50-70 mph in 5.6 seconds, quicker than BMW's 330i which needs 6.0 seconds. 20-40 mph in 2.4 seconds is as quick as the Lotus Elise 111R. Despite this the Fabia vRS can achieve better than 5.4 l/100 km (45 MPG US). If driven carefully, some drivers have experienced MPG rates of 68mpg+ over long periods.
The vRS was shown to be quicker than a similarly priced MINI Cooper around Top Gear's and Fifth Gear's test tracks.
In 2007 there have been produced 1,000 Special Edition Fabia vRS’^[4] featuring individually numbered black leather seats, sporty red brake callipers and Race Blue metallic paint.

Second generation (2007-present)

The second generation Fabia was officially presented at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2007^[5] and is being sold from April 2007. It is slightly larger than its predecessor and takes styling cues from the new Roomster leisure activity vehicle.^[6]
Škoda UK has created a popular television advertisement^[7] featuring the making of a Škoda Fabia car out of cake while swapped rivets for raisins, metal for marzipan and spark plugs for sugar^[8].
The estate variant^[9][10] was officially announced^[11] in August 2007 and will be introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007^[12]. Compared with the first generation the new Combi is 7 mm longer, 46 mm higher and the boot has grown by 54 litres (to 480 litres total). The engine portfolio is the same as the hatchback version, without the 1.2 44kW one.

Engines

The petrol engine linup is a mixture of newer engines from the Volkswagen Group and some carry overs from the outgoing model. The base 1.2 remains the same (44 kW) while the higher powered version has its power output upped to 70 bhp (51 kW). There is only a single 1.4 litre 16v petrol on this model, producing 85 bhp (63 kW). The range topping petrol engine is the 1.6 16v engine producing 105 bhp (77 kW). There is also an option to link this engine to a 6 speed tiptronic transmission.
Diesel engines consist of the same 70 bhp (51 kW) and 80 bhp (59 kW) 1.4 TDI units from before. The range topping diesel is a 1.9 TDI producing 105 bhp (77 kW).
It is rumoured that eventually a 1.4 TSI running at 125 bhp will become the range topping petrol for the planned estate version and that the next generation vRS will also receive the 1.4 TSI to the tune of 170 bhp^[13].

Features

The second generation Fabia equipment levels are Fabia, Classic, Ambiente, Sport and Elegance. It will feature side air bags, which may be fitted as standard in some markets with stringent safety regulations. Also available as an option will be head airbags.

Safety

Škoda Fabia passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests^[14] with the ratings: four stars in category ''Adult occupant'', three in ''Child occupant'' and two in ''Pedestrian''.

Awards

'2007': Serbian ''Car of the Year 2007''^[15]

References

1. Czechaholic: Skoda Fabia vRS Long Test AutoCar
2. Skoda Fabia vRS Long Term Test Auto Express
3. Long Term Skoda Fabia vRS FastHatchbacks.com
4. Fabia vRS Special Edition Skoda.UK
5. Skoda to launch Fabia II Euro Auto Trends
6. Skoda Fabia Auto Express
7. The New Škoda Fabia. Full of Lovely Stuff Škoda-Auto.UK
8. Skoda Fabia Cake Duncan's TV Ad Land
9. First look at Skoda Fabia Estate WhatCar?
10. Big Tease: Skoda releases teaser pic of Fabia Estate Autoblog
11. The New Škoda Fabia Combi Škoda-Auto
12. New Škoda Fabia Combi Škoda-Auto.com
13. Škoda Fabia And Škoda Octavia In Model Year 2007 BRISKODA.net
14. Skoda Fabia Euro NCAP
15. Skoda Fabia wins ´Car of the Year´ award - in Serbia askaprice

External links

★ Official Škoda Fabia Site

★ Official Škoda Fabia Site - UK version