Skoda Fabia 2000 test drive - 2007 -

Fabia in the country of sedans

Skoda strengthens positions in the Russian market
It all started even before the 1998 out -of -memorial crisis with the Felicia model. There was a gold time for the Czech manufacturer, whose cars diverged like hot pies, and became a serious alternative to Daewoo Nexia and even Lada. Despite the fact that hatchbacks were sold, and in Russia, as you know, sedans prefer for some reason. Then the ruble fell, and the decline began. But there is a boom on the market again. And Skoda turned out to be well prepared for him, offering customers not only the popular Octavia, but also their novelty - Fabia. And more recently, our country has become one of the first where Fabia Sedan appeared. And the premiere of this modification took place precisely at the Moscow Motor Show.
Compactness and comfort
Fabia is a hatchback and a sedan - twins, but they look, of course, differently. The sedan became 262 mm longer due to the trunk. But it looks nevertheless the same compact car. Another thing is also noteworthy: he can take no less cargo on board than a hatchback. Moreover, the rear seats can be folded in whole and in parts. Under the even floor there are a full -sized spare wheel and a set of tools.
The salon has practically not changed, it is still quite spacious and comfortable. I can testify: the two were by no means small men on the front seats did not hurt each other with his elbows, despite the modest dimensions of the car.
Ergonomics stacks are German practicality, everything is at hand. The steering wheel has a height adjustment. This circumstance, along with a conveniently located front chair, having a fairly wide range of adjustments, allows you to take the most comfortable position. In fairness, I’ll say that at first I disappointed the stiffness of the seat, but you still do not get tired when long trips. Side support is very good, you do not fall out of steep turns from the chair. And here's what is still pleasant: no creak in the cabin at any speed and with sharp restructuring, although there is a lot of plastic. For the test we took Fabia in the simplest performance and with a 1.4 -liter engine (68 hp).
Small but frisky
I assure you, reader, that modest technical characteristics should not be embarrassed. The car is quite dynamic, for which I must say special thanks to the creators of the gearbox. Properly selected gear rates allow you to confidently stay in the traffic stream, even more so, acting actively. On the roads of the capital, there are many who want to caching. Well, please. Of course, we will not argue with prestigious foreign cars, but with a dashing VAZ 2110 with a 16-valve engine, it is easily easily. Although dozens are more horsepower, it remains behind.
The clutch pedal seems to be designed for a female leg. It is very soft, but has a number of advantages. Firstly, the leg will not get tired in traffic jams, and secondly, feedback is quite felt.
The steering left a very pleasant impression. Frankly, I did not expect such clear reactions to the bend of the steering wheel. Because the car is equipped with a hydraulic power steering that does not interfere with the experienced driver and will undoubtedly appeal to the beautiful half of humanity. A somewhat harsh suspension. However, this is rather a plus than a minus, especially if you take into account acute steering. Yes, and the rolls of the body in the turns are minimal. All this allows, as they say, to always feel the limit of the capabilities of the machine.
Summary of dynamics and brakes. To moderately, a hard pedal allows you to quickly stop the car even at high speed. True, you should be more accurate, since the car does not have an ABS, this is an option offered for an additional fee or installed on more powerful versions of Fabia.
All Fabia, officially supplied to Russia, have an enhanced suspension. In fact, this means that the springs have one additional round and more rigid shock absorbers. All this led to an increase in clearance to 16 cm, which again in our conditions is a plus. The owner of Fabia Sedan in the winter may not worry about what will hook with a bottom of some kind of ice or snow. Where our classic will take place, Fabia will be able to drive.
More expensive, but better
Fabia replaced Felicia. Yes, it is about one and a half thousand dollars more expensive. But at the same time, without exaggeration, a cut above the predecessor and in the sense of technical qualities, and in the sense of comfort. The price of Fabia with a body hatchback is from $ 9,000. The sedan in the basic configuration costs a thousand more expensive. Nevertheless, dealers are counting on the success of this model. Competition, of course, is becoming more acute in this market segment. But, for example, the same Daewoo recently for various reasons (prices are rising, models are aging and even ineptly advance on the market) seriously surrendered its previous positions. In addition, after Skoda has passed under the full control of VW, the quality of the products improved significantly. That is why a number of dealers provide a guarantee for two years instead of one, as recommended by the manufacturer. And dealers are known to not throw money into the wind.
Andrey Osipov

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 1 (1), 2001]