Test drive Skoda Fabia: a new generation
The presentation of the new Fabia model is a great proof of the level Skoda has achieved in mastering the marketing magic - the new generation will hit the market at a time when the previous one is still at the zenith of its glory and its production does not stop. This scheme, tested at the launch of the Octavia I and II, is also used in an extremely important market segment (about 30% of total sales in Europe), in which the new Fabia should strengthen Skoda's position. Particular attention is paid to the fast-growing markets of Eastern Europe, where the Czechs have recently shown significant growth.
In fact, the project began in 2002, when the first touches were made to the design of the Fabia II, and the final look was approved in 2004, after which its real implementation began based on proven technological solutions. Basically, the platform (which will be used in the next generation VW Polo in a year) is not new, but has been seriously reworked to improve deformation behavior and meet pedestrian protection requirements. While maintaining the wheelbase, the length (22 m) increased slightly (by 3,99 mm), primarily due to the changed shape of the front bumper.
This fact is further proof that the tendentious increase in external dimensions (not only in this class) has reached a certain limit of saturation, and now the development is entering an intensive phase in which designers strive to increase the internal space, applying functional and practical solutions. both in the arrangement of interior elements and in the chassis. Despite the unchanged wheelbase, the interior of the Fabia II has grown significantly, with the distance between the two rows of seats increased by as much as 33 mm. The height of the car is 50 mm, which is felt in the interior and cleverly converted into a visual effect. The clear stripe above the door frames blends harmoniously with the overall design and lends a dynamic glow, which is especially noticeable in the special versions with a white roof.
Despite the small growth on the outside, the Fabia II sets several records in its class - the car's load capacity is 515 kg (+75 compared to the first generation) with a boot volume of 300 liters (+ 40), as well as room around the head and knees. more passengers than direct competitors. There are plenty of small functional tweaks in the trunk and cabin, such as a basket for small items and the ability to fix the rear shelf in two positions. The interior looks functional, made of high-quality and pleasant to the touch materials. The comfort steering wheel can also be ordered with leather upholstery as part of the overall equipment package, along with the shift knob, handbrake and various seat details.
Fabia's pleasant surprises are not limited to furniture - the range of gasoline units currently offered has increased power, and it has been supplemented by another engine with a working volume of 1,6 liters and a power of 105 hp. The base 1,2-liter petrol unit (1,2 HTP) already reaches 60 hp. at 5200 rpm instead of the current 55 hp at 4750 rpm, and in the version with four valves per cylinder - 70 instead of the previous 64 hp. I highly recommend the second version, which offers the best combination of price, flexibility, power and a quite acceptable fuel consumption of about 5,9 l / 100 km (as well as the version with two valves per cylinder). The engine supports the weight of the Fabia without noticeable stress and pleasantly surprises with decent dynamics. A bulkier version with its weaker and more technologically modest counterpart that takes 16,5 seconds to reach 100 km/h (versus 14,9 at 1,2 12V) and a top speed of 155 km/h (163 km/h at 1,2 12V). More dynamic natures can choose between petrol 1,4 16V (86 hp) and 1,6 16V (105 hp).
With the same power of 105 hp. Also in the village there is the largest diesel version - a four-cylinder unit with a "pump-injector", a displacement of 1,9 liters and a VNT turbocharger. The output of the two versions of the current 1,4-liter three-cylinder diesel unit (also with pump-injector direct injection system) is retained (70 and 80 hp, respectively), and the average fuel consumption is about 4,5, 100 l / XNUMX km.
All models, with the exception of the basic version 1,2 HTP, can be equipped with an electronic stability program, which is standard on the 1,6 16V version with automatic transmission.
According to Skoda, the Fabia II will retain one of the most valuable qualities of its predecessors - good value for money, and the price increase compared to the previous generation will be negligible. The model will appear in Bulgaria in the spring, and a station wagon version will appear a little later.
Text: Georgy Kolev
Photo: Georgy Kolev, Skoda
