Skoda plans to attract eye balls at the upcoming Auto Expo in January, 2012. The Czech automaker will exhibit its latest and hottest concept car, the Skoda Fabia R S 2000 at the biennial event. But what is this hot looking concept all about? Well for starters Skoda took their normal Fabia R S and sliced the roof up. Then the company fitted a rather widebody kit and slapped on 18-inch power coated alloy wheels on the car. But that is not all, the interiors were worked upon too and feature individual bucket seats with racing harnesses. The trim is made of carbon fiber. Power comes in from a 2.0-liter, twin-turbo unit (the most powerful Skoda engine yet) which produces 200 hp of power. Now this is indeed a nice way to make prospective Fabia owners salvate.

The automobile industry is predicted to be on it’s way to a saturation point where sales will be slacked. With rising petrol prices, government import policies, increase in insurance premiums car makers are having a tough time to sell their cars. Most of them have understood the importance of mass market and are launching smaller cars like the Honda Brio and Hyundai Eon. Skoda on the other hand is busy preparing for its C-segment sedan and had to look after the Fabia sales too as  they were becoming stagnant and heading down south. Hence Skoda has introduced the Fabia in new trims which are supposed to be cheaper. We will give you a reality check regarding the new pricing strategy by Skoda.

The base variant earlier was the Fabia Classic and the petrol version was priced at Rs. 4.47 lakhs. The new base variant is now called called the Active, with the petrol version being priced at Rs. 4.43 lakhs. Though the deal sounds good as the new version is Rs. 4000/- less it does not have the airbag which is a vital safety feature and surely costs more than Rs. 4000/-. Similar story is seen on the diesel version which is now priced at Rs. 5.52 lakhs while the earlier version was Rs. 5.50 lakhs. The mid-level Ambiente which is now called Ambition and is priced at Rs. 4.91 lakhs which earlier costed Rs. 4.99 lakhs has to again loose the airbags as a part of cost cutting measures. Even the diesel has undergone the same treatment with the Ambition costing Rs. 6 lakhs which earlier was priced at Rs. 6.08 lakhs.

The top end variant has retained the name Elegance. The new prices for the 1.2 MPI petrol engine is Rs. 5.84 lakhs while the 1.6 petrol engine is priced at Rs. 6.16 lakhs and the 1.2 liter diesel is priced atan Rs. 6.89 lakhs. So looking at the whole pricing and cost cutting we can say that Skoda has not reduced the price but indirectly increased the prices. Skoda has also introduced two more variants called the Active Plus and Ambition Plus which have minor additional changes compared to their non-Plus versions. We will have to wait and see if the new pricing strategy affects the sales of the Fabia.

Following are upgrade’s to the variants -

Skoda Fabia Active

Lower glove box cover
Rear interior roof handles
New three spoke steering wheel

Skoda Fabia Ambition

Rear roof handles
Heat-protect tint glasses
New three spoke steering wheel

Skoda Fabia Elegance

15” alloy wheels
Rear windscreen heater
Rear windscreen wiper

Skoda Fabia Active Plus

Front electrically adjustable windows
Rear electrically adjustable windows
Comfort opening and closing of windows

Skoda Fabia Ambition Plus

Remote control with two foldable keys
Remote control locking and unlocking of doors and boot lid
Rear electrically adjustable windows
Comfort opening and closing of windows
Remote control opening and closing of windows

2012 Skoda Fabia Prices

Skoda is testing a new Fabia in Mumbai. Although it is unclear on what this car features, there are high chances of Volkswagen testing the upcoming Polo bound 1500 cc diesel engine in the Fabia. Also, the German automaker could be testing TSI engines but this is still a speculation. We feel Skoda might be launching a facelift of the Fabia soon and the car could feature addition of new features such as a new audio system and steering mounted audio controls. Newly designed alloy wheels are very apparent in these spy pictures, which makes us believe, this is just a minor upgrade to the Fabia line.

Gerhard Plattner recently scored an absolute peak savings performance when he drove in a standard Skoda Fabia GreenLine. During the 2006 kilometer long trip from the Austrian town of Reutte via Germany to the Danish town Bov and back, the average fuel consumption was only 2.21 liters per 100 kilometers. With the 10 tips below, the “world champion in saving fuel” Gerhard Plattner reveals how you, too, can consume less fuel and, in light of new record prices for fuel, save money and protect the environment. If you take these tips to heart, you can achieve a fuel consumption that is about 20% below the average standard consumption.

1. Don’t let the engine warm up while the car is stationary. Even in the coldest winter, you can begin driving modern cars right after the start of the engine. If you don’t run up the engine to its maximum speed, you will lower both environmental pollution as well as the consumption of your vehicle. Putting on your seatbelt before starting the engine will also save you fuel.
2. Drive with foresight. Any person approaching red traffic lights without slowing down, then abruptly hitting the brakes, and continuing on at full throttle once the light turns green can be seen at gas stations more frequently than a driver choosing a speed that corresponds to the traffic situation.
3. Turn off the engine even for short stops. Turning off the engine while waiting before a closed railroad crossing or even during short stops not only protects the environment, but your wallet as well. In some cities, additional traffic lights inform drivers how long the red phase will continue to last. The fear of wearing out the starter due to frequent starts is unfounded – it is designed for several tens of thousands of start ups (the Start/Stop system in the GreenLine range is the ideal solution).
4. Avoid driving at high rpm’s. The lower the engine speed, the lower the fuel consumption as well. Once you’ve set the car in motion, quickly shift into higher gears until have you reached the desired speed. Coasting in the highest gear not only lowers the noise level and the emission of pollutants, but the fuel costs as well.
5. Drive at an even speed. Unnecessary acceleration costs a lot of fuel. The most convenient way of driving is with the cruise control set. The disadvantage is that – contrary to you – it cannot think. The following tip explains what that means for the fuel consumption of your car.
6. Adjust your way of driving to the terrain. If you are driving on a hilly road, you should already ensure, as you go downhill, that your car reaches a speed that allows for the climb to begin with as much momentum as possible. In that case, the engine has to work less and runs more economically.
7. Pay attention to the proper tire pressure. Low tire pressure leads to the kneading of tires. Not only does that reduce their service life, it also increases fuel consumption by up to ten percent. Due to their higher rolling friction, winter tires with a coarse tread automatically cause higher fuel consumption.
8. Do not carry any unnecessary dead weight with you. If you drive around with unnecessary load in your trunk, you’re wasting money. Depending on the vehicle, 100 kilograms of additional weight “cost” about 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers.
9. Avoid any unnecessary drag. Although a wheel or ski carrier on the roof of the car shows off your sporting attitude, it is a useless waster of fuel if it is not used. If you mount a luggage box on the roof in order to go on vacation, the fuel consumption may increase by up to twenty percent, depending on the speed you’re driving.
10. Don’t make deliberate use of the air conditioning system. Operating an air conditioning system at full load in an upper middle class vehicle may increase fuel consumption by up to two liters per one hundred kilometers. Doctors have been warning against an acute danger of catching a cold if the inside temperature of a car is lowered by more than 6 degree centigrade compared to the outside temperature. Driving with an open side window only causes an insignificant decrease of the inside temperature. But the fuel consumption is higher than when the air conditioning system is running. Not to mention the reduced comfort due to the draft and loud wind noises.

Skoda has confirmed its plans to launch a mini SUV in India. This new SUV would be priced below Rs. 10 lakh and will directly rival the Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari. It could also challenge the Volkswagen Vento and Honda City. Now Skoda does not have any small SUV in its international portfolio and the only vehicle which comes close to the company’s proposed mini SUV is the Fabia Scout. The company is indeed testing the car as we happened to have spotted it last week. This means the Fabia will get 4-wheel drive but not many really care about off-roading cabilities of their SUV, with most using it for their city runabouts.

“The SUV segment is not growing as fast as was expected. We have to go down and are looking at a product priced below Rs 10 lakh. We have over 25 per cent share in the D segment with Superb and 16.5 per cent share in the segment that has Laura. We are working to increase our presence in the SUV category,” Thomas Kuehl, Skoda India, said.

Source – Business Standard

Just today morning we were speculating if Skoda will launch the Fabia Scout in India. But now we can confirm the developments as we spotted the Fabia Scout on test. The car was heading towards Chakan from Mumbai and we followed it all the way till the driver took a break. The Fabia Scout on test was a base petrol variant and lacked an audio system and alloy wheels. The car had a 3-spoke steering wheel and was powered by the same 1.6 liter motor that powers both the Fabia and Polo cars. It did not look as imposing as you would expect a 4-wheel drive variant to look, but then its still under testing.

Although Skoda does not have many cars in its portfolio (just 4 of them), the company does manage to remove alot of variants from each and every model. The company is testing its Fabia Scout in and around Pune, which makes us believe that they plan to launch the variant some time in this year. The Skoda Fabia Scout is an off-road-inspired edition of the Fabia hatchback, which features bigger wheels, wider tyres, four wheel drive system and the likes. The crossover could make its way to India soon with a more powerful version and a heavier price tag. Would you buy one?

Skoda India has announced its association with Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011. Skoda’s Fabia will be the official car partner for the beauty pageant. Through this association, the three winners of PFMI 2011 will be awarded the Skoda Fabia as the pageant’s grand prize.

“We are pleased to announce our first ever association with India’s most successful and credible beauty pageant – Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011. The All New Škoda Fabia known for its unmistakable style and fabulous looks makes for a perfect match with the beauty pageant encompassing flawless blend of style and substance. We believe that this partnership is a step in the right direction to enhance Škoda Fabia’s lifestyle positioning,” Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, Skoda India said.

With the Fabia R2, Škoda is introducing a new rally car in the market, which is to be used in the rally category R2. The car was developed, extensively tested, and prepared to its use in rallies for almost two years. In principle, the Fabia R2 is based on the series model of the small car, but there are significant differences in its engine, undercarriage, axle kinematics, and gearbox. Compared to the series model, the undercarriage was changed considerably and the axle kinematics was adapted for its application in motor sports. Furthermore, the Fabia R2 possesses a sequentially operated gearbox. Under the hood, a powerful 1.6 liter 16V engine puts out 132 kW. The maximum torque amounts to 194Nm at 5500 rpm. The price of the new Fabia R2 is around 62,000 EUR.

In cooperation with Škoda the independent motor sports specialist Impromat Car was responsible for the development of the car. Impromat Car will also assume the distribution of the vehicle. An important task was the optimization of the driving dynamics for the use in motor sports. For that purpose, the undercarriage was designed according to rally specifications. And with great success: in February of this year, the homologation by the FIA was approved. Last year, the car also appeared in the role of the pace car at the Rally Bohemia and at the Barum Czech Rally.

Car tested: 2011 Skoda Fabia 1.2 TDi

Price OTR Mumbai: 7,62,296/-

Skoda Auto landed on Indian soil in late 2001 and the first car to come out of their stable was the Octavia which was an instant hit. At that time, a rock solid premium car was the need of the society wherein few diesel cars patrolled the roads. That was 10 years ago and some things which haven’t changed are Skoda’s “Obsession with quality”. With time Skoda increased their portfolio and the Fabia emerged as a premium hatchback from the company. Hatchbacks sell more than any other cars in India and this is a well known fact. The so called premium hatchback segment has seen a steady increase in the number of competitors and though the Fabia has been around for a while, Skoda decided to sent it for a makeover, only to make it a better bet as far as the competition is concerned. We drive the new Skoda Fabia 1.2 TDi and judge for ourselves.

Exteriors –

 ★★★½☆ 

The new front grille stands out at the major change as far as the exteriors are concerned. This new signature grille is also seen on the new Laura and Superb. The bonnet gets sharp crisp lines which give the Fabia a more muscular look. Headlights get a redesigned shape and large fog lamps look good and are also effective at night.

From the side profile, the basic shape remains the same. 5 spoke alloy wheels are standard on the top Elegance variant.

The rear may look elongated but this contributes to a decently large boot. The Tdi badge is seen on the right hand side. Rear spoiler is integrated but rear wiper and defogger is badly missed. Skoda has re priced the Fabia, but that has come at the cost of omission of some gadgetry.

Interiors –

 ★★★★☆ 

Skoda has changed the interior scheme to a 2 tone beige and black combination. The beige is too light in shade and tends to get dirty easily. The changes seen from the outgoing model are subtle and one may not notice them too much. The seating is comfortable and the Fabia offers good seating comfort to both front and rear passengers. Interior space is abundant and even tall people will find is comfortable. Though interior quality is good, the interiors look too basic for a car of this price.

Ample storage with a double glovebox, of which the lower one is lighted.

Audio system supports Aux connectivity. No USB support. Sound quality is average.

Simple Ac controls seen on the dash. The Fabia cools on no time and thanks to rear vents (under the front passenger seats) even the rear passengers dont feel the heat.

Gear lever feels good to hold. Just in front are the cup holders and immediately behind them is the door lock/unlock switch. A rather unusual place to have it, not easily reachable.

External rear view mirrors need to be manually adjusted. Electrical adjustment not provided.

Key required to open the fuel lid, last time we did that was in our grandfathers Ambassador.

Boot space at 315 ltrs is larger than many other cars in the segment.

Build Quality –

 ★★★★½ 

Skoda’s tagline suggests that the quality, by any standards, is not going to be a let down. The Octavia was known as a Tank in its time and the Fabia is no different. Fit and finish is good and even the plastic and seat fabric quality feels upmarket. The Fabia almost sails over potholes without transferring the jerks inside and there is no rattling whatsover.

Ride, Handling and Braking –

 ★★★★☆ 

The Fabia comes across as a heavy car to drive, which makes a great highway cruiser. Ride is comfortable and the Fabia handles well for its weight. Sharp changes in direction can sometimes get the car to oversteer but its fun to drive all the same.

The 185/60 R14 tyres grip decently and the even under heavy braking ABS and EBD keeps braking distances in check.

Performance –

 ★★★★☆ 

Skoda is a subsidiary of the VW group and as a result of this, they share few common platforms, the TDI engine being one of them. Start the Fabia and the TDI engine comes to life with a typical clatter. The 1199cc, 3 cylinder TDI engine punches out 75 BHP @ 4200 rpm and 180 NN of torque @ 2000 rpm. Turbo lag is a big put off till about 2000 rpm and then the TDI engine gets into full form. The car accelerates effortlessly but engine sound is clearly audible at higher revs. The Fabia hits 100 kmph in less than 15 seconds and easily hits a top speed of 160 but engine whine becomes more and more evident as one goes past 140. Engine refinement is good but its only the sound which can get irriatting but if you are an enthusiast then its pure music to the ear.

The instrument cluster is exactly the same as the one on the VW Polo, the only difference being the green backlight. Gearshift is slick but not as great as that of its sibling. The Fabia feels heavy to drive and as speed catches up, steering feedback reduces proportionately. The TDI engine is renowned for a performance and mileage combination and the Fabia delivered a mileage of 13 – 14 kmpl under rev limiter driving, expect about 15 – 16 kmpl (mix of both city and highway driving).

Conclusion – The Fabia oodles of quality and interior space is generous too, however the new Fabia has been down scaled to fit into a price sensitive market and ommision of essentials such as rear wiper and defogger are not pardonable but if you are looking for a spacious & quality hatch, the Fabia has to be on your list. The TDI engine is peppy and responsive and with good mileage figures, there is more than one reason to consider it.

 ★★★★☆ 

Whats Cool

* Ride Quality
* Peppy Engine
* Interior Space
* Built Quality

Whats Not So Cool

* Basic Interiors
* No rear wiper and defogger
* Door lock/unlock button awkwardly placed

Skoda Fabia Specifications : -

* Engine: 1199cc, 3-Cylinder TDI
* Power: 75 BHP @ 4200rpm
* Torque: 180 NM @ 2000rpm
* Transmission: 5 speed manual
* Top Speed: 164kmph
* 0-100kmph: 14.40 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 14-15 kmpl (City), 18-19 kmpl (Highway)
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Suspension: McPherson Suspension with lower triangular links and torsion stabiliser (Front), Compound link crank-axle (Rear)
* Tires: 185/60/14 Tubeless Radials
* Brakes: Ventilated Disc (Front), Drums ( Rear), ABS, EBD
* Safety: ABS, EBD, Dual SRS Front Airbags

Skoda Fabia Dimensions : -

* Overall length x width x height: 4000mm X 1522mm X 1642mm
* Wheelbase: 2,465mm
* Front/Rear Track: 1433/1426 mm
* Ground clearance: 158 mm
* Turning Radius – 9.8 m
* Boot Volume: 315 liters
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 litres
* Kerb Weight: 1152kgs

Official Website