Skoda teases new Fabia and teases us with hotter Euro-only Scala

Friday, 12 February 2021

Skoda's first ever electric vehicle is coming to New Zealand.

Skoda is working on updating the Fabia hatchback to a new platform with new looks to boot, following cousins Polo, Ibiza and A1. It’s still a little while away yet but in the meantime, those wanting a hotter version of the larger Scala can be envious of this, the not-for-us Edition S.

First, the Fabia. As mentioned, the fourth-generation hatchback will move to Volkswagen's MQB-A0 platform used by other VAG stablemates, the VW Polo, Seat Ibiza and Audi A1 as well as Skoda’s Scala. It increases dimensions in every way, has a stiffer body and adds the latest safety and driver assistance systems.

Dragging the corners of the Fabia image means obvious gains in the headroom and cargo capacity areas (up 50 litres to 380L) as well as resulting in a more spacious cabin.

Skoda isn’t talking major details just yet but the Czech maker did say that all the engines will come from VW’s Evo engine generation with both manual and seven-speed DSG transmission options. We’d expect the 1.0-litre turbocharged triple to feature, possibly as the only engine for NZ. It can be had in either 70kW/175Nm or 85kW/200Nm tunes.

**READ MORE:

More interesting than a shadowy teaser image is this, the very real Scala Edition S.

* Road test review: Skoda Scala Style

* Road test review: Skoda Kamiq Ambition+

* Skoda's new baby arrives in NZ

* Road test review: Skoda Scala Sport

Meanwhile, Skoda has also confirmed that European buyers will be able to get their hands on a more powerful Scala, though it doesn’t get the RS badge as some might hope.

Called the Edition S, it doesn’t quite qualify for hot hatch status, given it keeps the standard 1.5-litre four-cylinder. However, thanks to the tuners at ABT, it now makes 141kW/290Nm, up 30kW and 40Nm on the standard model. It also gets a six-speed manual gearbox.

ABT has also given the Edition S stiffer suspension which lowers the car by 15mm and custom 18-inch wheels.

There are some subtle aero upgrades too while the cabin gets new seats and stainless steel pedals. The rest of the car is identical to the normal Monte Carlo trim of Scala.

Production is capped at 500 units and Skoda Deutschland is taking pre-orders now at €33,790 (NZ$56,672) a pop, which is quite a hefty ask for a small hatch even if it were to cost that here. Which it wouldn’t – it would be much more – which is why we almost certainly won’t be seeing it here.