Skoda Australia has finally completed the Skdoa Fabia range in Australia with the introduction of the Fabia 77 TSI and the sporty Skoda Fabia RS. Both the 77 TSI and RS models are available in a five door hatch or the equally impressive five door wagon.
The full Skoda Fabia line up that is now on sale in Australia is:
Fabia 77TSI 5-speed manual $18,990
Fabia 77TSI 7-speed DSG $21,290
Fabia 77TSI Wagon 5-speed manual $20,990
Fabia 77TSI Wagon 7-speed DSG $23,290
Fabia Monte Carlo 77TSI 5-speed manual $21,990
Fabia Monte Carlo 77TSI 7-speed DSG $24,290
Fabia RS 132TSI 7-speed DSG $27,990
Fabia RS 132TSI Wagon 7-speed DSG $29,990
Skoda Fabia Overview
Skoda now have a full a range that has low running costs and strong performance, buyers can choose between hatchback and wagon to be powered by the 77kW engine or the 132kw engine found in the Fabia RS. These can now be coupled with a 5 speed manual or the new 7-speed DSG gearbox as an option across the range (standard on RS).
The Skoda Fabia is shipped with a high standard of safety and convenience features such as dual front, side and curtain airbags, electric front and rear windows, three-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel (with radio and phone controls) and Bluetooth® phone connectivity, integrated CD player that features a 3.5mm jack input for MP3 devices, plus a host of other standard features
Skoda Fabia Engine
Entry is via the 1.2 litre 77 TSI that produces 77kW at 5000rpm and peak torque of 175Nm arrives between 1500 and 4100rpm. Combined cycle fuel consumption for the 5 speed manual is 5.5l/100kms and exhaust C02 emissions are rated at 128g/km, the 7 speed DSG produces the same fuel consumption and is only .01 seconds slower at reaching 0-100kmh in 10.2 seconds.
The sporty Fabia RS 1.4 litre TSI produces maximum power of 132kW at 6,200rpm and peak torque of 250Nm arrives between 2000 and 4500rpm. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 6.2/100kms and exhaust C02 emissions are rated at 148g/km. Coupled with the standard 7 speed DSG gearbox the Fabia RS can reach 0-100lm/h in a spritely 7.3 seconds.
Skoda Fabia The Interior
Both the 77TTSI and Fabia RS deliver the usual slick Skoda interior. The Fabia has the usual great cabin design and practicality that is part of the Volkswagen family DNA.
The driving position is high and allows good visibility of the road ahead and makes access easier and more comfortable. Both models feature height adjustment on the driver’s seat, along with height and reach adjustment on the steering wheel. One of the strength for the Fabia is both the hatch and wagon boasting large cabins and practical boot areas. Four adults can travel in the car without too much discomfort. While boot space is not too bad either, with the rear seats up, the hatch offers 300 litres of space while the wagon boasts 480 litres. While those figures jump to 1165 litres for the hatch and 1460 litres with the seats down.
Instrumentation is from the classic Volkswagen set stylish with out being over the top, including the gear change indicator light (which prompts you to drive in the most fuel-efficient way) and the multi-function trip computer with information like service intervals and fuel tank distance to empty. The sound system found in the Fabia runs an eight-speaker CD system with MP3 input and Bluetooth connectivity.
Disappointingly there is no option for a integrated Sat-Nav system, maybe Skoda feel that it’s just cheaper for consumers to buy a portable system.
With a Euro NCAP safety rating of five-stars, the safety inclusions include six airbags and electronic stability control.
Skoda Fabia Exterior & Styling
Up front on the hatch and wagon are identical the 77 TSI has the family Skoda grille with prominent vertical bars, large headlights, fog-lights and black spoiler come together to deliver a neat looking front end. The Fabia RS gains a RS badge on the grill and a honeycomb air intake and LED running lamps.
The difference between the 77 TSI and RS at the rear are the additions of the RS badge, the double exhaust pipes in Chrome and rear black diffuser.
The Skoda Fabia is all about styling! The Fabia 77 TSI is available in 13 different body colours which can be individually styled with a Candy white or Brilliant silver roof option. While the Fabia RS hatch has a choice of 8 body colours that when combined with 3 roof colours Candy white, Brilliant silver or Black Magic, equal 26 different colour combinations to choose form.
Skoda Fabia On The Road
Driving both models of the Skoda Fabia in peak hour traffic impressed. The five-speed transmission simple and elegant while the 7 speed DSG performed well. The 10-metre turning circle helped when road works got us stuck in traffic as did the the excellent all-round visibility.
We had the opportunity to sample the Fabia RS hatch and wagon on the race track and they didn’t let us down. Both hatch and wagon had excellent turn-in and the balance at high speed was superb.
With the ride being firm the car did ride rough over secondary surfaces and unexpected large pot holes did cause the car to bottom out.
Skoda Fabia Challenges
The only major issues with the Fabia 77 TSI and Fabia RS were the lack of integrated Sat-Nav system. The interior finish was not as impressive as its Volkswagen counterpart but with Fabia costing less you get what you pay for.
Skoda Fabia Verdict
The Skoda Fabia is in a sub-segment of European compact cars, this is a very strong segment. The option of a wagon gives extra points for the Skoda Fabia and most people would struggle to find any issues with the car on a test drive.
With a full range of cars now in the Fabia line-up you can see why Skoda is a manufacturer that is on the up. Dollar for dollar you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Skoda Fabia The Competition
It’s hard to go past the leader of the pack the Volkwagen Polo GTI is priced from $28,990 and is worth every penny.
The Swift Sport from Suzuki wins on price at $24,990 but is smaller in size and will not tick the made in Europe box that some buyers are after.
With Mercedes Benz bring out the new A-class hatch later this year expect that segment to get busier and busier. Competition can only be good and when it comes to small European cars it’s great.
