Paris show: Skoda loads up with Fabia wagon

SKODA has released images and details of its bigger, roomier and more frugal next-generation Fabia Combi wagon, which will join its light-hatch sibling at the Paris motor show this week.

The wagon – due in Australia next year – is identical to the hatch from the front, sharing the new grille, headlights, bumper and bonnet, which borrows design elements from Skoda’s striking VisionC concept.

Skoda’s new load lugger is 10mm longer and 90mm wider than the outgoing model with the wheelbase extended by 5mm. The interior is 21mm wider, 8mm longer and although the car is 31mm lower there’s more headroom in the front.

The Volkswagen Group-owned car-maker says that the new wagon is up to 50kg lighter than the previous model.

The tailgate opens to 1900mm, is 1028mm wide and the loading sill is 611mm high, while cargo capacity has increased 50 litres to 530 litres with the seats up and 1395 litres with the rear seats lowered.

The rear seats can be folded down in two positions – the seat folds first and then the backrest, and Skoda says items up to 1.55m will fit in the cargo area.

As with the hatch, Skoda highlights storage and practicality as a major strength of the wagon. There is room for a 500ml bottle in each of the back doors and 1.5-litre bottles in the front, while up front there is a large centre console bin and cavernous glovebox.

The cargo area has two bag hooks as standard but a luggage net and an adjustable false boot floor, which divides the boot into two compartments are options.

Infotainment in the wagon reflects the hatch and includes Skoda’s new MirrorLink technology allowing smartphone apps to be displayed on the touchscreen for navigation and music streaming.

The SmartGate system lets drivers access vehicle information from their phones, while the Fabia wagon features keyless start and front and rear sensors for the first time.

A line-up of new generation engines will power the wagon with buyers able to choose from three petrol powerplants ranging from 55kW to 81kW and three three-cylinder diesels making 55kW to 77kW.

Skoda said fuel consumption is down by 17 per cent compared with the previous-generation model. The Greenline diesel is the most frugal sipping just 3.1 litres per 100km. All engines come with idle-stop technology and regenerative brake energy recovery.

Some elements of Volkswagen’s new MQB architecture have been used in the wagon allowing for new electromechanical steering and electrical systems.

Skoda said the chassis set-up has been improved with a 30mm wider track at the front and rear.

The wagon comes with a host safety equipment including six airbags, plus the Multi-Collision Brake System which slows the car after a crash, Driver Activity Assistant which detects driver fatigue and optional Front Assistant with City Braking Function.

This third-generation Fabia wagon will arrive in Australia in 2015, with local prices and specifications expected to be announced closer to its launch.