Skoda Fabia Hatchback Makes World Debut at Geneva

Press Release

THE Highlights OF THE NEW Škoda Fabia:

• Large boot with a capacity, from 300 to 1163 litres

• Above average knee space for all passengers

• The best rear headroom in the compact class

• Choice of seven different engines – four petrol and three diesel

• Compliance with the regulations regarding pedestrian protection (Phase I) which do not come into force until 2010

• Audio/mobile phone operation via remote control on the steering wheel (optional)

• Large sun roof (optional)

• “Climatronic” electronically controlled air conditioning (optional)

• Integrated six-CD changer (optional)

• Two-tier boot cover

• Curve halogen projector headlights (optional)

• Fog lamps with cornering lights (optional)

• Seven different wheel designs, four steel and three alloy wheel

• Diesel particle filter for the 1.4 TDI PD/59 kW and 1.9 TDI PD/77 kW engines

• The most powerful petrol engine, the 1.6 16V/77 kW, is available also with a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic function

• Attractive C-shaped rear lights, typical for Škoda

• Higher driver and front passenger seat positions afford better view and better comfort in entering

THE DESIGN

The new Fabia presents itself as powerful, dynamic and self-assured. Its front view is friendly but not playful. The emphasis of the clearly larger and more integrated radiator grille gives it the typical Škoda face of the brand. The design of the bodywork is modern but not overly sophisticated. The new Fabia has a youthful, fresh appearance and will appeal to younger audiences than those of its predecessor without, however, disappointing owners of the first generation model. More pronounced side lines and wheel housings make the car unmistakeable on the road and the rear with its lights in the C design make it clear from behind even at night that it is a Škoda. As with its predecessor, the new Fabia comes as a hatchback in only a five-door model. The Fabia has a drag coefficient of cw 0.33, an impressive result for a car in the compact vehicle class.

In spite of its modest growth in size, an improved package of standard equipment and the optimisation of the chassis for a higher degree of safety, the new Fabia is scarcely heavier than its predecessor. In the basic model, the 1.2 HTP, the weight has even been reduced by 5 kilograms. The length has increased by 22 mm to 3992 mm and theheight has increased by 47 mm to 1498 mm. The width of the vehicle remains virtually unchanged at 1642 mm. The payload for all EU models is 515 kilograms,
a truly record-breaking amount. The boot holds 300 litres when all five seats are in place and, when the rear seats are folded down, a luggage compartment of 1163 litres in size is created.

The new Fabia has grown in a measured form and thus requires little more space in traffic than the previous model, creating a decisive advantage when driving in the city, looking for a parking space or when manoeuvring. The greatest increase in the Fabia’s size is found where this adds to comfort and without detracting from handling – namely, in the height.

Parallels to the Roomster

The new Fabia follows the new design direction that began with the Škoda Roomster and has its own unique, convincing language. Exceptional characteristics of this are found in the dominant Škoda logo on the radiator grille, which has now been sculptured into the line of the car. The front headlamps, reaching far back into the front wings, with their large lighting surface areas and clearly visible indicator lights not only create the prerequisites for safety but also give the Fabia an exceptional, characteristic look. The expressive line of the side of the vehicle also runs from the upper edge of the radiator grille, extending along the vehicle above both doors to encompass the rear through a line running across the boot lid. The surrounding line is typical of the new five-door compact car from Škoda.

ALWAYS IN THE PICTURE: THE FORM FOLLOWS THE FUNCTION

In comparison to that of its predecessor, the rear window is considerably larger, making the Fabia appear larger and more mature. In addition, this improves the exterior view considerably. Thanks to the large exterior rearview mirrors, the new Fabia offers its driver an exceptionally good view of traffic. The rear lights have been designed in a more pronounced form and now appear more modern and sporty. In addition, they have been installed at a higher level, giving them a more self-assured look and, in bad weather conditions, makes the Fabia more visible to following traffic. The fact that they are mounted higher also minimises the extent to which the rear lights are dirtied by unclean road surfaces.

An individual and sportier orientation in the new Fabia is created by the optional white roof. This option will ensure that the customer will get a car with an unmistakable and anything-but-everyday appearance. In combination with selected external colours, the Fabia, thanks to the contrasting colour on the roof, makes the car stand out from the masses.

A GREAT DEAL MORE: THE FABIA IS VERY SPACIOUS

The new Fabia is going to the starting line with several new records in comfort measurements. It offers its rear seat occupants exceptionally generous knee and headspace. In addition, it has a boot volume that is among the best in its class. When the rear seats are folded down, the boot provides 1,163 litres of luggage space and with all 5 seats in the raised position, 300 litres of luggage can be taken on board.

The interior design of the new Fabia presents itself as attractive but nevertheless highly functional. The logical and well-laid out instruments, the ergonomic positioning of the individual groups of functions combined with high quality materials makes them easy and enjoyable to use. All of the surfaces are constructed of or coated with materials that are pleasant to the touch and easy on the eye so that everyone who travels in the new Fabia love the feel of the car. Thanks to the careful choice of high-quality materials, the comprehensive workmanship and the generous amount of interior space, the occupants in the Fabia feel as if they are in a vehicle off higher class. More emphasis has been placed on the interior design than was the case in the first generation Fabia. The twin-coloured instrument panel, practical storage compartments and spaces, the attractive design of the functional elements, which is perfect in form, a high standard of equipment through to a partial leather interior make the Fabia more than just a practical car for daily use. It affords the car style and charm.

The boot is practical not only because of its capacity. The boot cover can be positioned at two different levels, which considerably increases the flexibility of the boot even further. A further innovation is the adjustable front seat armrest , the holders for 1.5 litre bottles in the front doors and the storage space for spectacles in the ceiling. There are three different steering wheels available for the Fabia. The basic model is a four-spoke design made of polyurethane plastic that is pleasant to the touch. An optional leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel is availablewhile the sports version has a three-spoke leather-wrapped sports steering wheel. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is include in the of the small leather package which also includes leather on the gear shift sleeve and knob as well as the handle grip of the hand brake.

The safe and comfortable operation of the mobile phone and audio system via the new multi-function module on the steering wheel is already well known from the Roomster. This allows the radio to be operated, with radio station choice and volume control o, without taking your hands from the steering wheel. In the case of versions equipped with a hands-free phone system, the mobile phone operations can be carried out remotely from the multi-function module.

In the central console itself, the new, optionally available, electronically-controlled Climatronic air-conditioning is located below the generously dimensioned, moveable air exit vents. This automatically ensures that the desired interior temperature is constantly maintained. Below this is the audio system; two different radios with CD player units – Beat and Dance – are available for the Fabia as options. As an optional extra there is a navigation system available for the Fabia. Audio instructions are also shown in the Maxi-Dot Display. The optional 6-CD changer is installed under the glovebox in the lower part of the dashboard and ensures rapid access as well as easy changing.

The occupants in the Fabia will find their correct seat position without any effort whatsoever thanks to the generous of adjustment possibilities. By means the height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, the driver can very easily find the most comfortable and correct seating position for himself. An even firmer hold than that provided by the standard seats is that of the sports seats. Flanks on the seat base and seatbacks provide more support in curves, making stress-free driving possible even when
a sporting driving style is chosen. As an option, there is also a partial leather interior available. An armrest between the front seats which can be angled and which is standard in the Elegance trim makes travelling in the Fabia even more pleasant.

There are a large number of storage areas in the Fabia. A storage space for the driver on the left below the steering wheel is part of the standard equipment and there are holders for large bottles of up to 1.5 litres in the doors. There are smaller integrated storage compartments are in the dashboard and storage compartments in the centre console with a slip-proof surface that provide space for things in daily use. In addition, the rear of the front seats contain large pockets in which magazines or travel guides can be easily stored. The backs of the rear seats can be folded forward to provide an increase in the boot space of up to 1,163 litres. In the basic version, the Classic, the back of the rear seat is
a single unit while in all other versions it is divided 60:40. As the rear seats can also be folded forward, the backs of the rear seats can be positioned almost horizontally. A boot cover which can be set at two different heights also varies the volume of the boot capacity. It can either be installed flush with the upper edge of the rear seat back or some 250 millimetres lower in a second mounting provided for this purpose. Between the wheel housings, the loading space of the new Fabia measures 958 mm in width. The height from the floor to the boot cover is 525 mm and when the cover is set in the lower position, 276 mm. The depth of the boot ranges from 703 mm when the seats are in an upright position to a maximum of 1,383 mm when the rear seats are folded forward. A loop makes it easier to pull the tailgate closed.