Skoda unveils all-new Fabia

Thursday, 6 May 2021

Skoda has updated the Fabia with a new design, more efficient engines and better technology.

Skoda has revealed the fourth-gen Fabia, which brings new looks, a new platform and cleaner engines to the table.

Under the skin is a shift to Volkswagen’s MQB platform, which has allowed the Fabia to bump up its dimensions. It now measures 4108 millimetres long, or 111mm longer than before. Most of that extra length came from the wheelbase, now 94mm longer than before for a total of 2564mm. That also puts it above fellow MQB platform-mates, the VW Polo and Seat Ibiza, in terms of size.

Storage space jumps by 50 litres to 380 litres, or 1190 litres with the seats folded flat.

The new Skoda Fabia is here with fresh looks, engines and technology.

Styling changes have given the Fabia a shrunken Scala look, with an angular lower bumper, headlights, taillights and creases on the door in the shape of a triangle, as a nod to the Czech flag. The range-topping Fabia gets LED lights front and rear and a panoramic glass roof. There will also be black wheels, mirror caps and roofs as options.

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The new body includes a drag coefficient of 0.28, which means the Fabia is the most aerodynamic supermini on the market.

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Inside the Fabia is a much more modern affair than before, with two large digital screens, ambient lighting and more active safety technology.

Those style changes have also allowed for a drag coefficient of 0.28, which is nice and low. In fact, it’s the lowest in its class, making the new Fabia ultra-aero-friendly and more efficient as a result.

There are changes inside too, with the supermini finally getting Skoda’s 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.2-inch infotainment screen. Skoda has also implemented Seat’s round air vents seen on the current Ibiza. A coloured stripe runs the width of the dashboard, the door handles are illuminated and, for some reason, there’s a USB-C socket on the rear-view mirror.

Other additions include dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, a heated windscreen, LED ambient lighting, and central air vents for the rear occupants.

Five engine options will be available. The line-up starts with two 1.0-litre ‘MPI Evo’ three-cylinder engines, making 48kW and 59kW along with 93Nm of torque. Then there are two 1.0-litre ‘TSI Evo’ triples, with 70kW/175Nm and 81kW/200Nm, while the most powerful Fabia gets a 1.5-litre ‘TSI Evo’ four-cylinder with 110kW/250Nm.

The first three engines are only available with a five-speed manual, the more powerful TSI triple can be had with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and the 1.5-litre four-pot only comes with the seven-speed dual-clutch.

If you’re looking for a Czech competitor to the hybrid Honda Jazz or Toyota Yaris, you’re out of luck, unfortunately. There is no mention of electrification for the Fabia just yet.

On the flipside, these engines use very little fuel as it is, with claimed fuel consumption as low as 5.0L/100km (with the six-speed manual TSI triple) and as high as 5.6 (with the 1.5-litre engine).

Skoda will also offer an optional 50-litre fuel tank that extends the potential range of the three-cylinder engines to “more than 900km on the WLTP cycle.”

In terms of safety, Skoda has given the Fabia Travel Assist and Park Assist technologies for the first time. The former comprises adaptive cruise and lane-keep assist, while the latter can automatically park the car in parallel and bay parking spaces.

Skoda New Zealand says that we can expect the new Fabia to land here in the first half of next year.