2005 Å koda Fabia Details

Press Release

Optional equipment

A wide range of optional equipment including virtually all of the current progressive items of automobile technology is available for the Fabia. In addition the range of optional equipment is extremely flexible allowing the customers to assemble their ideal car. Depending on the equipment specification, the following optional equipment items are available:

• front passenger airbag deactivation switch
• side airbags
• third rear headrest
• three-point rear centre seatbelt
• ESP – Electronic Stability Programme (depending on the engine)
• alarm system
• xenon headlights with automatic adjustment and washers
• headlight washers
• fastening net in luggage compartment (Fabia and Fabia Combi)
• a set of three fastening nets in the luggage compartment (Fabia Saloon)
• a dividing net to separate the luggage compartment in the Estate
• tyre repair spray
• cruise control
• electric sunroof with a sun visor and bounce-back feature
• radio preparation (including a tilting, non-removable roof aerial and four or eight speakers)
• Å koda radio and CD changer
• navigation device with a dynamic module and the Maxi-DOT large dot display
• mobile phone preparation
• parking sensors
• heated front seats
• Dynamic I and Dynamic II sports interiors (including 15" Band alloy wheels)
• small leather package (steering wheel, gear gaiter and knob and parking brake handle in leather).

The Ambiente, Elegance and RS versions can also be supplied with a folding armrest on the rear seat. Protective side strips are now available with all versions as an option; the customer may choose the clear and elegant appearance of the car or the protective function of plastic strips.

Safety

Cars in the Fabia range comply with the safety legislation requirements valid in global markets where they are exported and even with those that will become valid in the future. The Škoda Fabia hatchback has successfully passed the requirements of the extremely demanding consumer test Euro NCAP and achieved one of the best results in its category – four stars.

The body structure combined with sheet metal of precisely defined thicknesses guarantee extreme strength and torsion rigidity, which contributes to the high degree of passenger safety:

• the door pillars are extremely strong
• the doors are fitted with double door beams
• both the front and the rear of the car deform progressively during a crash
• the special mounting of the power unit in the body protects the passengers during a dangerous front crash
• the steering pillar design reduces the risk of an impact with the steering wheel to a minimum.

If the airbag is deployed during a crash an automatic sequence of strictly defined operations will be activated; to name a few, the warning lights and the interior illumination are turned on, the central locking system is unlocked and the fuel supply pipe is immediately switched off.

Standard security on the Å koda Fabia comes with an immobiliser and a VIN code label on the windscreen frame. The immobiliser uses a variety of "floating code" combinations, rejecting any combination that has already been used, thus decreasing the risk of theft. As an option, the car can be fitted with an alarm system with interior monitoring and a backup horn.

Power units and transmissions

The Fabia is available with five petrol and three diesel engines. Another alternative is the 1.9 TDI-PD/96 kW engine designed exclusively for the RS model. The petrol engines comply with the most stringent EU IV emission standard, which will come into force in EU countries from 2005. Depending on the conditions in individual countries some petrol engines are required to comply with EU II. The diesel engines comply with EU III.

The most important change under the bonnet for 2005 is the increased functions of the EOBD system for petrol engines, which now monitors the distance driven with the emission warning light on. This allows the service shop staff to say how long harmful substances were released into the air.

Petrol engines complying with the requirements of the most stringent EU IV standard have two catalytic converters and two lambda sensors. The new three-cylinder engines producing 40 kW and 47 kW use only one catalytic converter because of their advanced technology. The following petrol engines are available with Å koda Fabia cars:

• 1.2 HTP/40 kW (54 bhp)
• 1.2 12V HTP/47 kW (64 bhp)
• 1.4 16V/55 kW (75 bhp)
• 1.4 16V/74 kW (100 bhp)
• 2.0/85 kW (115 bhp).

A range of three diesel engines with direct injection has been prepared for customers. The engines supercharged with a turbocharger are equipped with a high-pressure system using compound injectors (the Pumpe-Düse System) – the high injection pressure and better combustion of these engines produce not only excellent output and torque but also incredibly low consumption. The following diesel engines are available:

• 1.9 SDI/47 kW (64 bhp)
• 1.4 TDI PD/55 kW (75 bhp)
• 1.9 TDI-PD/74 kW (100 bhp).

All engines come with five-gear manual transmission as standard. The 1.4 16V/55 kW engine is also available with four-gear automatic transmission with a hydraulic torque converter and the Fuzzy-logic function, which adapts the gear-changing regime to the actual driving style.

The 1.9 TDI-PD/96 kW engine is exclusive to the Fabia RS sports model. Combined with a six-gear transmission it gives the car outstanding dynamic parameters. The engine with a displacement of 1.9 l has a more than ample output of 96 kW (130 bhp) produced at 4,000 rpm. The engine also has great torque, 310 Nm at only 1,900 rpm, giving the car extraordinary flexibility. Owners of the Fabia RS with the 1.9 TDI-PD/96 kW engine will be pleased not only with its power and dynamism but also with its economical operation. Not many sports cars can produce a maximum speed of 206 km/h, accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 s with a combined fuel consumption of only 5.4 l/100 km.

Chassis

Fabia cars are built on a chassis with a wheelbase of 2,462 mm. The wide wheel track (1,435 mm in the front and 1,424 mm in the rear) makes the car "sit" perfectly on the road and its appearance produces the impression of a solid and safe car.

The front axle has McPherson struts with wishbone arms and is supported by a torsion stabiliser. In the rear the car has the proven compound-link axle with a torsion cross member. Compared to the hatchback, the estate and saloon versions have reinforced springs and shock absorbers.

The dual-circuit braking system is diagonally arranged and equipped with a braking booster. Versions equipped with ABS have electronic distribution of the braking effect according to the load on the front and rear axle (EBV), versions without ABS are equipped with a mechanical braking effect limiter on the rear axle. In addition, all models equipped with ABS are fitted with engine drag control (MSR) which prevents the driving wheels skidding on a slippery road when decelerating or changing to a lower gear. Depending on the engine Fabia can also be supplied with the ASR anti-skid system on the driving wheels and, as an option, with the ESP electronic stability programme.

The chassis of the Fabia RS has been specifically modified to give the car a more sporting design and to provide even safer driving characteristics. Compared to standard Fabia cars the chassis of the Å koda Fabia RS has been lowered by 15 mm. All wheels are fitted with efficient disc brakes with internal cooling on the front wheels. The car is equipped with the ABS and ASR electronic systems that safely transfer the driving force from the wheels to the road.

As standard all versions are equipped with electrohydraulic power steering (except cars with the 1.2/40 kW engine and cars with 13" wheels in which it is an option). The electric motor of the pump only works when required to maintain easy control of the car (when turning and parking) so that it does not permanently drain part of the engine output, which helps to reduce fuel consumption. The electronic engine control unit regulates the effect of the steering booster according to the speed of the car.

The majority of the electronic systems in the car (engine control unit, accelerator pedal control, engine sensors, steering booster and automatic transmission control, ABS, MSR, deployment of airbags, air-conditioning, central locking, indicators on the instrument panel, etc.) are interconnected via the CAN-Bus interface. It is used to quickly and reliably exchange digitalised information between the electronic control units. This system optimises the use of electronic elements and equipment in the car according to the driving regime and thus significantly increases passenger comfort.