The new Škoda Fabia becomes safer and more efficient for its fourth generation

Škoda has finally unveiled the new Fabia in grand style after several days of teasing it in the shadows, a model that, at 22 years old, reaches its fourth generation with a redesigned look both outside and inside, while also adopting new technologies to make it a more efficient and safer vehicle.

New exterior design on a new platform

The fourth generation of the Škoda Fabia will use the MQB-A0 platform of the VAG Group for the first time, a platform that has allowed the Fabia to grow in size, surpassing the four-metre mark. Specifically, its dimensions are now 4,108 mm long (111 mm more than the outgoing generation), with a wheelbase of 2,564 mm (94 mm more) and a width of 1,780 mm (48 mm wider).

Aesthetically, the Škoda Fabia adopts a look more in line with the rest of the Czech brand’s recent launches, with a front end featuring a redesigned bonnet that still retains two central ridges alongside the sides, while lower down we see that the grille has more rounded shapes, framed by a new bumper with more pronounced lines. It is worth noting that the front bumper can incorporate movable air curtains in the lower intake that close depending on cooling needs, improving aerodynamics and delivering a fuel saving of 0.2 l/100 km at a constant speed of 120 km/h.

Moving to the sides, we see a waistline that sits high, very close to the bottom of the windows and, looking at the lower part of the doors, Škoda has paid tribute to its origins with lines similar to the characteristic triangle of the Czech flag. At the rear, perhaps this is where the changes are most noticeable, with a spoiler extending over the rear window, which welcomes new horizontally positioned headlights that have allowed a new design for the bumper, with more rounded and sculpted lines.

As standard, the new Škoda Fabia features LED front light cluster, while the rear will be LED if requested as an option. The new Fabia will also have the honour of debuting two new colours even for the brand: Phoenix Orange and Graphite Grey in metallic finish. We will also be able to choose metallic Graphite Grey and Magic Black with pearl effect as a contrast for the roof, the mirror housings and the front grille frame. For the wheels, it will offer 15-inch steel rims and alloy wheels in sizes from 15 to 18 inches.

Completely redesigned and more spacious interior

Thanks to the new dimensions achieved with the MQB-A0 platform, the Škoda Fabia now offers more space for all occupants, along with 50 litres more capacity in its boot, reaching 380 litres, expandable to 1,190 litres if the rear seats are folded down. Regardless of its new size, the Fabia will continue to be available from launch in the Active, Ambition and Style trim levels, to which the Monte Carlo trim will be added later.

Depending on the trim chosen, we will have different materials for both the upholstery and the inserts, but overall we are looking at a completely redesigned dashboard with horizontal lines, dominated in its central area by a new touchscreen of up to 9.2 inches, below which sit the air vents and the controls for the air conditioning, which can optionally be dual-zone. On the sides, we see air vents now with a rounded shape, while in the driver’s position we can equip, for the first time, a Virtual Cockpit of 10.25 inches, in front of which sits the new steering wheel, which can be heated or fitted with gear-change paddles depending on the equipment and engine.

As is common in any vehicle today, the Škoda Fabia can also be fitted, depending on the version chosen, with a wide array of safety systems, including up to nine airbags, as well as a broad selection of optional equipment, among which we can find items such as the high-end infotainment system signed by Amundsen, the Škoda Connect services or the distinctive Simply Clever solutions from Škoda.

Five petrol engines

The new Škoda Fabia will feature a wider range of engines at different power outputs, all adapted to the Euro 6d regulation, which will also be more efficient since, according to the brand, four of them, when paired with the optional 50-litre tank, can travel more than 900 km under the WLTP test cycle.

This gives us the three-cylinder naturally aspirated 1.0 MPI in outputs of 65 and 80 CV, both with 93 Nm of torque and a combined consumption of 5.1 l/100 km, along with CO2 emissions of 131 g/km for both. We will also have a three-cylinder 1.0 TSI turbo with 95 CV and 175 Nm of torque, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox, with consumption of 5.1 l/100 km and emissions of 128 g/km; this same engine will also be available with 110 CV and 200 Nm of torque, fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed DSG, with a combined consumption of around 5.5 l/100 km and emissions of 139 g/km.

The Škoda Fabia will also debut a top-of-the-range engine in the form of the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI with an output of 150 CV and torque of 200 Nm, an engine that also features active cylinder technology, which automatically deactivates two cylinders when engine load is low. This engine comes as standard with the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, also recording a combined consumption of 5.6 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 142 g/km.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSkoda Fabia13 versions · from 22,900 €