Skoda Fabia 2000 test drive - 2007 -

The Felicia replaces

Skoda-Fabia finally reached the Russian expanses

Of course, random cars for several months of a wheel on our streets, but official deliveries began only in November 2000. Apparently, taking into account the mistakes of the past, the car is immediately offered with a Russian package: an increased road clearance, an enhanced suspension, protection of the engine crankcase and other pleasant trifles.
 
WHAT IS THE PRICE?
As befits a full -fledged European car, the number of Fabia modifications is impressive: three equipment options - basic classic, improved comfort and luxury eleganes; Three gasoline and two diesel engines with a capacity of 68 to 101 liters. With. The body is still one - a five -door hatchback. The station wagon has not yet reached Russia.
 
In addition to stylish design, a truly European car distinguishes (Fabia is no exception) of the extreme modesty of standard configuration: the classic offers only a pillow for the driver, the steering wheel power power, adjust the column for the angle of inclination and length, tachometer, audio training (wiring, four speakers, antenna). Such a car with a school engine of 1.4 liters and 13-inch wheels costs $ 9550.
 
The performance with the same Skoda-Fabia engine will already pull $ 10,475. This includes the central lock, front electric windows, tinted glass, moldings, fog lights, an on-board computer folded in a ratio of 60:40 rear seat and 14-inch wheels. If you add air conditioning and radio, the car will become more about $ 1000 more expensive.
 
Eleans performed standard with the standard electric package (except for adjustment of seats), ABS, PBS (anti -wings system), climatic installation with air conditioning, alloy wheels and passenger safety pillows. The basic price with the same engine 1.4 is already $ 11,524. Those who would prefer a 101 -horsepower sixteen -valve, the same as on the Volkswagen Polo, will have to wait a bit - this modification is not on sale, like cars with a machine gun.
 
But there is Fabia with a turbodiesel - 101 liters. With. True, it is better to be interested in at a price sitting: in the performance of Eleans - $ 16,500! Just a diesel is about a thousand cheaper.
 
Perhaps, however, that soon the prices for all modifications will significantly decrease. As for additional equipment, its list is very extensive. There are 15-inch wheels with low-profile tires, and side airbags, and a transparent sliding hatch in the roof, and an audio system with eight speakers and a six-disc chander. The tuning program is also attractive: wings, thresholds, spoilers, decorative elements for carbon (carbon fiber), even a lid of fuel tank in a racing style.
 
Fabia in the city
On lively streets, visibility and convenience are often more important than dynamic characteristics. With sight of Fabia, everything would be in order, but ... drivers will be remembered more than once with an unkind word on a tiny right mirror.
 
There are no complaints about the convenience of managing: light steering wheel, pedals, clear gear shift, no questions on ergonomics - everything is simple and clear without instructions. The problem mentioned earlier at the presentation of the car (it was difficult to move due to the delay in the engine reaction to the gas pedal), was eliminated. Now in Fabia you can crawl in a traffic jam, and if necessary, shoot in the vacant row.
 
Although under the hood of Skoda a motor-veteran, modernization with an increase in the working volume and the installation of a distributed injection allows him (and the driver!) To feel young. Of course, he will not impress traffic lights, but more reasonable users will be satisfied with even traction with almost idle revolutions.
 
Fabia on the highway
It is on the suburban road that the main advantage of Fabia is opening - comfort. The characteristics of the pendants are selected so that they perfectly swallow small irregularities, having a margin of strength for larger ones. At the same time, the machine does not bother with excessive rigidity and not only well predictable in the bend, but also has, so to speak, a high threshold for the beginning of slipping.
 
The second component of comfort is silence in the cabin. Here, not only the engine noise, but also the sounds of the suspension, and even the noise of the tires are perfectly depressed here. This is not surprising: noise insulation is pasted even on the arches of the rear wheels.
 
The capabilities of the motor, more than sufficient in the city, look more modest on the highway. In combination with not too stretched gear, it is enough for a flat and quick ride, but the rate of speed set during overtaking just corresponds to its modest 68 forces.
 
Fabia on the lane
With an adapted suspension and road clearance of 140 mm, this school is suitable in order to occasionally leave asphalt. She is capable of a relatively flat primer or a courtyard poorly cleared from snow. The Carter pallet is protected by a thick metal sheet and additionally covered with a plastic sprayer of the entire motor compartment, and the pipelines are laid so that it is difficult to damage them on a bump or block of ice. Short body overhangs improve patency, but you should not forget - it is easy to damage beautiful painted bumers.
 
Fabia goes to the country
Spacious salon - this cannot be taken away. Five medium complexion can accommodate here quite comfortably. The carriers of trousers of size 52 or more behind will be crowded three, as well as the thinner - in winter clothes. At least a two -meter driver or passenger will sit in front with comfort, however, the place behind him will immediately turn into a child: the longitudinal course of adjusting the seat is very large, and in the length of the Skoda interior is still not a limousine.
 
The trunk of the hatchback less than 4 m long, by definition, cannot be large. But (and Fabia is an example) it may well be transformed and convenient in shape. Minus - in the configuration classic, the back of the rear seat is folded only in its entirety. Revised - for surcharge or in more expensive options.
 
Fabia broke
In Russia, Skoda is quite common, she has a developed dealer network. Reference for repair according to foreign concepts is moderate, there are no problems with consumables, and their cost is relatively small. In the case of an accident or complicated repair, any branded service will be happy to accept the order - however, the speed of its execution directly depends on the number of cars sold in Russia of this model. If Fabia is destined to be well sold, then the assortment of spare parts will be much wider, and the repair periods in short. By the way, the bumper for Fabia costs $ 99, which is inexpensive for an imported machine.
 
The warranty period - two years without limiting a run - complements the list of advantages. It is enough to identify and eliminate a hidden defect for free.
 
 
The editors thanks the Skoda Autocenter for the car provided.
 
 
CLASSMATES
 
Fiat Palio (1996): created for developing countries; It is produced in Brazil, Argentina, Poland and Turkey. In Russia, a hatchback from Turkey is sold, a gasoline engine 1.2 liters, 71 hp, and station wagons from Poland (1.6 liters, 101 hp). The price, respectively, from 8200 and from 11,600 dollars.
 
Peugeot 206 (1998): three- and five-door hatchbacks; Gasoline engines 1.1-2 liters, 60-137 hp, diesel-1.9 and 2 l (with turbocharged), 69 and 90 hp. Price - from 8775 to $ 19,229.
 

Volkswagen Polo (1994, restyling in 1999): three- and five-door hatchback; Gasoline engines 1-1.6 liters, 50-125 hp, diesel from 1.4 liters (with turbocharged) to 1.9 liters, 60-75 hp. It is delivered to Russia to order; The price with a 1.4 liter engine in the basic configuration is $ 11,000.
 
Text / Anatoly Fomin
Photo / Vladimir Trusov and author
 
 

 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"