Škoda Fabia

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Škoda Fabia
2006 Škoda Fabia
Manufacturer Škoda Auto
Parent company Volkswagen Group
Production 2000–present
Predecessor Škoda Felicia
Successor None
Class Supermini
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door hatchback
5-door estate
Layout FF layout
Platform Volkswagen A0 platform
Related SEAT Ibiza
SEAT Córdoba
Volkswagen Polo Mk IV
Similar Citroën C3
Fiat Punto
Ford Fiesta
Opel Corsa
Peugeot 207
Renault Clio

The Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 2000. It is the first model to use the Volkswagen Group's A04 platform, which it shares with the Volkswagen Polo Mk IV and SEAT Ibiza. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001. The Fabia is available in hatchback, estate and saloon body styles.

Contents

[edit] First generation (1999-2006)

The range starts with the 1.2 6v Classic (which is cheaper than Volkwagen's smaller 3-door 1.0 Lupo) to the 1.9 PD TDi vRS.

Part of the Fabia's success is the fact that all of its mechanical parts are developed by or in conjunction with Volkswagen, but are offered in a package that is priced to undercut other models in the Volkswagen Group. The only trace of non-VW Škoda left in the Fabia is the 1.4 8v "MPI" Engine, which was a modification to Škoda's own 1.3 engine, and was used in pre-Volkswagen Škodas such as the Estelle and Favorit.

In 2005 the Fabia received a facelift, with changed front fog lights and grille, slightly different rear lights, new steering wheel and revised specification levels. Also the vRS had its final gearbox ratio changed. Most importantly the Sport model was added, with the 75hp 1.4 petrol being offered with a manual transmission. This engine was quickly dropped for the 1.2 HTP, which was not as powerful but is a much more free revving engine giving a more sporty feel, the sport also had its specification changed to include red seat belts and sunset privacy glass from the B pillar to the rear.

Again in 2006 the Fabia range shown at the Geneva Motor Show alongside the new Roomster leisure activity vehicle will have minor specification revisions. These include a center rear head rest, a central three-point seatbelt and an additional four bodywork colours. The 1.4 16v 75 bhp petrol engine is to be replaced with a more powerful 1.4 16v 79 bhp engine.

[edit] Engines

Petrol

  • 1.2 HTP 6v (54 bhp) AWY*/BMD
  • 1.2 HTP 12v (64B bhp) AZQ*/BME
  • 1.4 16v (75 bhp) AUA
  • 1.4 16v (100 bhp) BBY/BBZ


Diesel

  • 1.4 TDI (70 bhp)
  • 1.4 TDI (80 bhp)
  • 1.9 TDI (100 bhp) AXR
  • 1.9 TDI (130 bhp) ASZ

Past Engines

  • 1.0 (50 bhp) AQV
  • 1.4 MPI (60 bhp) AZF (Euro 2)
  • 1.9 SDI (64 bhp) ASY
  • 1.4 MPI (68 bhp) AQW (Euro 4)
  • 1.4 TDI (75 bhp) AMF
  • 1.4 16v (100 bhp) AUB
  • 1.9 TDI (100 bhp) ATD
  • 2.0 8v (115 bhp) AZL

The term MPI (Multi-Point Injection) is used by Škoda to differentiate from 16v models and (in the case of the Octavia) FSI engines. The 75 bhp version of the 1.4 16v was only mated to Volkswagens four-speed automatic transmission with fuzzy logic operation until the addition of earlier sport models which mated it with a manual transmission. The 1.4 8v was dropped in 2003 as it will fail to meet future emissions requirements. Its performance is heavily hampered by its old OHV (Pushrod) design. The Fabia's overall performance and fuel consumption figures fall behind other city cars and small family cars as it is larger and heavier. However, the 1.2 HTP Engine was developed specifically for the Fabia and offers better performance and fuel economy, but later used in Volkswagens own Polo due to its high acclaim. HTP Stands for High Torque Performance.

[edit] Trim levels

Later in the Fabia's life the mid-range Comfort Model was dropped for the name Ambiente to fit in with the rest of the range. Other models include and included the Ambiente, Ambiente SE, Blackline, Silverline, Sport, Bohemia (Estate) and vRS. Various safety features and minor changes were made over time. Easy and Junior models are sold in Eastern European markets where budgets are lower. Some of these Fabias do not even have painted bumpers or gloveboxes. Also sold in such markets is the Fabia Praktik, which is a panel van version of the Fabia with the rear windows and seats removed. A lesser powered version of the 1.4 MPI with just 60 bhp is also sold in Eastern Europe.

[edit] Fabia vRS

Introduced in 2003, the Fabia vRS, while not the first diesel hot hatch, was the first exclusively diesel hot hatch, having no petrol equivalent. The engine is VW Group's 1.9 litre Pumpe-Düse Turbocharged-Diesel producing 96 kW (129 hp) and 229 ft·lbf (310 Nm) at 1900 rpm, with a six speed manual gearbox. It was named the "Diesel Car of the Year 2003" in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards.

Official figures state 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 9.5 seconds, but several motoring magazines and websites have timed this to faster (Autocar: 7.1 seconds,[1] Auto Express: 8.1 seconds,[2] and FastHatchbacks.com: 8.5 seconds[3]). The in gear acceleration times are 50-70 mph in 5.6 seconds, quicker than BMW's 330i which needs 6.0 seconds. 20-40 mph in 2.4 seconds is as quick as the Lotus Elise 111R. Despite this the Fabia vRS can achieve better than 5.4 l/100 km (45 MPG US).

The vRS was shown to be quicker than a similarly priced MINI Cooper around Top Gear's and Fifth Gear's test tracks.

In February 2007, Skoda announced they would be producing 1,000 Special Edition vRS models. These will feature Race Blue metallic paint, red brake callipers, and individually numbered black leather seats.

[edit] Second generation (2007-present)

The second generation Fabia will appear at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2007.

It is slightly larger than its predecessor and takes styling cues from the new Roomster model.

[edit] Engines

The petrol engine linup is a mixture of newer engines from the Volkswagen Group and some carry overs from the outgoing model. The base 1.2 remains the same while the higher powered version will have its power output upped to 70 bhp. There is only a single 1.4 litre petrol on this model, producing 85 bhp. The range topping petrol engine will be the 1.6 16v engine producing 105 bhp. There will be an option to link this engine to a 6 speed tiptronic transmission.

Diesel engines consist of the same 70 bhp and 80 bhp 1.4 TDI units from before. The range topping diesel will be a 1.9 TDI producing 105 bhp.

It is rumoured that eventually a 1.4 TSI running at 125 bhp will become the range topping petrol and that the next generation vRS will also receive the 1.4 TSI to the tune of 170 bhp.

[edit] Features

The second generation Fabia will feature side air bags, which may be fitted as standard in some markets with stringent safety regulations. Also available as an option will be head airbags.

The estate and saloon variants will arrive later in 2008 and so will run alongside the outgoing estate and saloon

[edit] References

  1. ^ AutoCar (2004-10-12). Czechaholic: Skoda Fabia vRS Long Test. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  2. ^ Auto Express (2005-07-00). Skoda Fabia vRS Long Term Test. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.
  3. ^ FastHatchbacks.com (2004-03-01). Long Term Skoda Fabia vRS. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.

[edit] External links

Škoda car timeline, 1990-present (Volkswagen Group era) - [edit]
Type 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Supermini Favorit Felicia Fabia I Fabia II
Small family car Octavia I Octavia II
Leisure activity vehicle Roomster
Executive car Superb
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