Geneva show: Skoda teases Fabia facelift

SKODA released a teaser sketch of the facelifted Fabia overnight, with the restyled light car to launch in Australia with carry-over drivetrains early in the fourth quarter this year.

Set for an international debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in early March, the tweaked Fabia will feature “fresh, new design elements and state-of-the-art technology”, according to the Czech brand.

Specifically, the new-look front end incorporates LED headlights, while its signature Skoda grille appears unchanged but is now squared off at the ends.

LED tail-lights are present around the back for the first time, while the bumpers on either side are likely to be redesigned subtly, although the sketch does not offer the clearest look at these elements.

Meanwhile, the cutting-edge technology is expected on the inside, with Volkswagen Group’s latest touchscreen infotainment system expected, while the Active Info Display digital instrument cluster could make its way onto the options list at the very least.

All of these changes will impact both the five-door hatchback and wagon body styles currently sold Down Under.

As mentioned, the 66TSI and 81TSI engines will return post-facelift, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, respectively.

These powertrain options are the same 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit driving the front wheels but in two different states of tune.

The 66TSI produces 66kW of power from 4400 to 5400rpm and 160Nm of torque between 1400 and 3500rpm, while the 81TSI develops 81kW from 4600 to 5600rpm and 175Nm between 1400 and 4000rpm.

Additionally, the former has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle test, while its carbon dioxide emissions have been tested at 109 grams per km. Alternatively, the latter is just as efficient but is slightly more pollutant, at 111g/km.

The Fabia currently ranges in cost from $16,490 before on-road costs for the 66TSI hatchback to $24,640 for the 81TSI Monte Carlo, but updated local pricing and specifications are set to be announced soon after the model's international debut.

Fabia sales improved steadily last year, with 983 examples sold during the 12-month period, representing a 14.7 per cent increase over the 857 registrations made in 2016.

Overall, the Skoda model claimed 12th place in the 2017 sub-$25,000 light-car segment, trailing the Hyundai Accent (17,578 units), Mazda2 (12,101) and Toyota Yaris (11,226), among others.

More details on the updated Skoda Fabia will be revealed ahead of the Geneva motor show, which kicks off on March 8.