GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Skoda - Fabia - 5-dr hatch range

Launch Story

21 Sep 2011

FOUR years after it first appeared in Europe, the second-generation Fabia from Czech brand Skoda has launched in Australia, armed with an array of standard features and a highly competitive price aimed right at the heart of the bustling light car segment.

Limited initially to just two models – the $18,990 77TSI and sportier $21,990 Monte Carlo edition – the base model Fabia undercuts the Volkswagen Polo with which it shares many components by $860 and shares its price with the mid-range Ford Fiesta LX and Suzuki Swift GLX.

The ambitious company, which pitches itself as the entry-level brand within the colossal Volkswagen empire, has big plans for its littlest model in Australia.

Head of Skoda Australia Matthew Wiesner hopes the Fabia will appeal to a different demographic than its current line-up, comprised of various Octavia and Superb models.



“We’ve got a fairly heavily skewed, male 40+ year old market that buy Octavia and Superb, generally speaking," he said.



“So we now start talking to a much younger market and we start talking to hopefully more female buyers and do all the things that every mature brand must do.”

On paper at least, the company’s smallest model stacks up well when compared to some of its other closest rivals – including the Mazda2, Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Swift and Hyundai i20.

A substantial facelift for the 2010 model year in Europe brought with it the addition of the spunky 77TSI engine that can also be found in various VW Polo and Golf models, and it is this engine which powers the local line-up.

At 77kW, the power output of the diminutive 1.2-litre turbo four-cylinder puts the little Skoda at the pointy end of the field, while peak torque of 175Nm (achieved between 1500 and 4100rpm) is substantially higher than all comers bar the Polo, which it equals.

This is the sole powerplant option currently available in the Australian line-up, and is matched exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission.

A seven-speed DSG semi-automatic version will join the range in the first quarter of next year, alongside the more spacious wagon and crackling RS 132 hot-hatch, which shares much of its lineage with the Polo GTI.

Claimed fuel consumption of 5.5 litres per 100km is also enough to eclipse all bar the Swift – which it equals – and its 315 litres of boot space make it as commodious as many members of the bigger small-car segment.

The car’s 45-litre fuel tank means it has – on paper at least – a combined-cycle driving range of 800km.

The gutsy little engine can haul the 1120kg Fabia to 100km/h in a claimed 10.1 seconds, while CO2 emissions are a low 128 grams per kilometre.

Standard equipment on the base model 77TSI includes 15-inch steel wheels, an eight-speaker MP3 compatible sound system with auxiliary input, tinted windows, air-conditioning, a leather steering wheel with audio and phone controls, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with trip computer, front foglights, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, movable centre front arm rest and heated door mirrors.

Typically of the Volkswagen group there is also a fair choice of optional accoutrements, including 15-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, an audio USB cable, electric sunroof and climate-control air-conditioning.

Meanwhile, the Monte Carlo gets standard 16-inch black alloy wheels and alloy sports pedals, privacy glass, menacing black exterior highlights on the roof, wheel-arches, grille and foglight surrounds, sports seats with bigger bolsters and a sportier steering wheel (which unfortunately loses the audio and phone controls of the 77TSI).

Skoda Australia believes the Monte Carlo will initially outsell the 77TSI, accounting for around 60 per cent of total sales. This ratio will change when the range expands next year.

Standard safety equipment across the range includes six airbags, stability control, ABS brakes with brake assist. The Fabia achieved a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was tested back in 2007.

Skoda typically attempts to differentiate itself big brother Volkswagen stylistically, and the boxy Fabia is no exception.

Unlike the comparatively demure Polo – and befitting of a car in this segment – the entry-level 77TSI is available in a list of paint colours as long as a tall man’s arm, including the lairy Rallye green and Sprint yellow.

Four of these hues are also non-metallic/pearl effect, giving plenty of options for those not willing to fork out an extra $490 for sparkly paint. A contrasting white or silver roof finish is also available with most colours as a $390 option.

The Monte Carlo, meanwhile, comes with seven colour choices, while the sports seats can also be had with bright red trim inserts to match the red stitching on the sportier three-spoke steering wheel.

The front wheels of the Fabia use a MacPherson strut suspension system, while steering is controlled via direct rack-and-pinion with electro mechanical power assistance that keeps the turning circle to a city-friendly 10.0 metres.

The rear wheels use a torsion-bar stabiliser set-up, and there are disc brakes both front and rear. Frontal anti-vibration mounts keep noise and vibration down to a respectably low level.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Fabia

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Fabia pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here