skoda fabia
No doubt, most of you would have seen the marvellous advertising campaign from Skoda where they make a cake based on the new Fabia. As I watched intrigued, I could not honestly understand the connection. I would not personally describe a car a ‘scummy’, or ‘delicious’ as you would a cake but I did wonder if the old saying, ‘You can’t have your cake and eat it’ could actually be dispelled in the case of the new Fabia as, my goodness, it has all the necessary ingredients a modern day supermini needs.
The Skoda Fabia has been huge success since it was launched back in 2000 selling over 1.6 million worldwide and 130,000 have found homes in the UK. But Skoda were not content with that, they want more customers, so the new Fabia has had a compete nip and tuck. In order to appease every type of customer, the line up is a bit complicated as you have the initial choice of Fabia 1, prices starting from £7,990, Fabia 2 at £9,720 or Fabia 3 from £11,455 mated to six trim levels plus a total of seven engines as well as the top of the range 1.9 TDI PD VRS. If that were not enough, there are some tempting optional extras such as CD autochanger, 16-inch alloy wheels, sat nav, rear parking sensors and ESP. So, the new Skoda Fabia is not for the indecisive motorist.
Can this new look, excellent value for money and interior comforts lure new customers into the Skoda showrooms during daylight? Well, lets find out in the Fabia 1.4 TDI PD/80bhp.
My test car had the optional Tangerine Orange metallic paint that certainly stands out in the crowds. The new Fabia has grown in its metamorphosis from its predecessor in height, 47mm taller and length, 22m longer, while the width remains virtually the same. A stylish set of alloy wheels sets the car in motion and the front bumper now incorporates new impact absorbing materials as well as the integrated radiator grille with integrated colour coded bumpers, fog lights and a lovely jewel like light cluster arrangement. To profile, the door mirrors and door handles are colour coded contrasting with the black body protection strips and black window pillars that blend in with the glass to create a unique wrap around effect. The pronounced wheel arches and raised shoulder line empathises a new macho stance while round to the rear, the trademark ‘C’ shaped tail lamp clusters makes the new Fabia instantly recognisable at night.
Both driver and passenger seats are height adjustable as is the chunky four spoke leather steering wheel with cruise controls, and other drivers delights include automatic climate control CD player with MP3, electric windows and door mirrors that are also heated. The boot has a class leading 300 litres extending to 1,163 litres if the rear seats are folded flat as well as copious amounts of storage space for bits and pieces.
The 1.4 TDI PD (80bhp) driving my Fabia emits just 120g/km of CO2 making it one of the cleanest cars in the class, but it is rather noisy especially idling say at traffic lights and a tad sluggish on the uptake. Skoda already has an excellent reputation for its driving and handling in its cars but this has now got better thanks to careful redesigning of key suspension components and the introduction of a stronger structure making it even better to drive. The handling is further boosted by a lower kerb weight while the ride has also improved thanks to revised spring and dampers. The new steering system is electro hydraulic and has turning circle is just 10.2 metres, which has to appease even the most reluctant of drivers mastering the art of manourvers.
The Fabia 3 benefits from not just driver, passenger and side airbags but also curtain airbags, along with ABS. The body is tougher thus occupants more safer in the event of an accident while pedestrians will be grateful for the fact the bonnet and front bumpers deform on impact and absorb the energy so already the Fabia complies with the new regulations that come into effect in 2010. Securing the Fabia is simply but effectively an immobiliser, alarm and locking wheel nuts. .
And the moral of the story is ‘you can have your cake and eat it too’. This new Fabia is a good looking car with a comfortable interior, plus delivers a ride and handle even better than before. The price tag for this model may scare off a few people at £12,335 but is compensated by excellent fuel consumption of 61.4 mpg on a combined cycle, low insurance group 3E and only £35 VED charge, as emissions are 120. But look at the Fabia 1 and 2 for cheaper options along with the highly impressive 1.2 litre petrol engine. Jackie Violet - Female First