Ahead of the global debut at the Paris Motor Show in October this year, Skoda has commenced the production of the third generation Fabia at the Czech based manufacturer’s main plant in Mlada Boleslav. Finished in the shade of Racing Blue, the first example of the 2015 Fabia rolled off the production line for final inspection passing through a standing ovation from the plant employees. The plant was also massively refurbished with upgrades to the body shop, paint shops and assembly lines and production will now commence in full swing.
The 2015 Skoda Fabia borrows its simple yet elegant design language from the VisionC concept. The car gets a bolder front fascia with the striking Skoda grille and large headlamps featuring LED daytime running lights. The premium hatchback has also grown wider and shorter, while the interior space has increased more than the outgoing version. In terms of features the Fabia gets a host of new infotainment features including MirrorLink technology, smartphone connectivity as well as the new SmartGate feature. Skoda will also offer a host of exterior and interior customisation options to customers.
Engine options include the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder TSI motor producing in the range of 60 PS to 110 PS of power, while the 1.4-litre 3-cylinder TDI motor will be available in three states of tune ranging from 75 PS to 105 PS of power. All variants of the new Fabia will get Start-Stop system as well as Brake Energy Recuperation system as standard. Transmission options will include a manual and DSG automatic. Skoda states that the new Fabia uses up to 17 percent less fuel than its predecessor, courtesy of the huge weight savings.
The Fabia has been Skoda’s best selling car with over 3.4 million vehicles sold till date worldwide. Moving in its third generation, the Fabia will be competing against the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio and the likes in the segment. In terms of Indian context, it is still uncertain if Skoda will bring the Fabia back to India. Post the global debut, the 2015 Fabia will be launched in the European market in November, after which it will go on sale in other markets.
