Test Drive Skoda Fabia Hatchback since 2010 Hatchback
Second birth
When Hatchback Skoda Fabia appeared on the European market, he immediately became popular. For the minds of Russians, Czech had to fight longer. After all, at one time Felicia predecessor Fabia enjoyed success in our country, because it turned out to be the first available new foreign car for former Soviet citizens. Fabia who came to replace it was already forced to compete with Korean cars that looked into Russia, and both quality and price. It seems that the Fabia of the second generation took into account the lessons of history is now both fashionable, and quite affordable, and extremely good.The Fabia procession on the expanses of Russia cannot be called a triumphant, although Skoda managed to stay on a market afloat only thanks to it. Of course, OCTAVIA contributed its contribution, but the mass consumer gradually imbued with European values, preferring a compact hatchback to the classical sedan. The growth of sales of the Czech brand was gaining momentum gradually, actually, as well as the company's cars themselves, mainly equipped with small engines that require promotion before starting. Only after the positive sales results, the Czechs have developed Skoda sports modifications, wearing proud nameplates with Latin RS letters, like Audi, which, by the way, is also included in the Volkswagen concern. Perhaps the general policy of the company is just designed for the success of Czech models in third countries, where they would like to buy new Audi, but there is clear money. Sly stroke, given that once the Volkswagen brand closed the cohort of prestigious cars, corresponding to the name of the folk car. Now Skoda of the Junior Brother of the United European Corporation was installed on the bronze pedestal.
The exterior of the second generation Fabia now meets the corporate principles of the brand. Massive two-storey radiator grille, vertical windshield and large headlights moved to Fabia from the Roomster of the new non-format model of the company. At the same time, black front racks and an overall roof gave their own machine, unique charm. The second Fabia looks at the world much happier more strictly, unnecessarily solid for class in predecessor. Of course, the feed decorated with crystals of drowned lanterns became noticeably attractive.
However, technical progress, transforming Czech cars, relied on the tremendous experience of the brand, who did not confuse its traditions in the era of socialism. From here and the quality of the assembly of auto, the appropriate level of safety and interior trim and, of course, predictable behavior on the road is characteristic of all Europeans. The new Fabia added not only in the dimensions, but also in other indicators: it is a confident movement in a straight line, which indicates a clear calculation of engineers, and the modern body design confirming the status of a fashionable car that meets the cultural traditions of the West. Finally, balanced controllability, a clear reactive action of the steering wheel at the slightest deviation, and in the turns of the reaction, the rams were expected quick, but at the same time without excess sharpness. However, the consolidated smoothness of the course became paid for good controllability, but the previous Skoda Fabia suffered like a disease.
A pleasant impression remained from a 1,4-liter engine with a capacity of 85 hp, although his golf 105-strong fellow volume of 1.6 liters looks preferable. A smooth reservoir of the motor up to 6000 rpm of the crankshaft is accompanied by a soft buzz, and the dynamics of the motor are quite enough, so as not to feel outlaughter in the city transport stream. True, the average fuel consumption somewhat surprised about 12 liters of 95th gasoline per hundred. According to the experience of communication with less volumetric Skodian power units, it can be noted that with a 1.2-liter Motor Fabia looks much more modest on the road. It cannot be said that the base motor is completely weak, but it disperses the car rather thanks to the successful settings of the mechanical gearbox. By the way, the greatest popularity of Europeans enjoys an old good diesel engine 1.9 TDI Now a 1.4-liter unit was added to it.
New Fabia has become much safer former. This also applies to additional pillows for rear passengers, and efficient brakes. Summary: Excellent deceleration with excellent feedback, although a somewhat rough work of the staffing ABS system. The driver of Skoda Fabia also has electronic assistants in the form of an ESP system that control the behavior of the machine in the devias. In the name of pedestrian security and in the hope of a five-star Euroncap rating, the new Fabia hood was lifted by 30 mm and increased the front overhang at 14 mm.
As often happens with products of foreign manufacturers, some configurations of Skoda Fabia caused bewilderment from the Russian consumer. The same can be observed with a new model. For example, the Sport equipment, as it turned out, has nothing to do with the sport. After all, the machine is not equipped with the most powerful 1.4-liter engine aggregated with a manual transmission. But the front armchairs are made in the best traditions of sports cars a bucket form with pronounced lateral support. Here is a three-spoke steering wheel and, of course, the alloy wheels of the larger diameter. The complete feeling that in front of you is a rally version of the car. That's just on the road there is no appropriate drive car behavior practically standard. Then what does the Sport prefix here?
However, it seems that with the sale of a new Skoda Fabia there will be no problem, definitely turned out to be interesting and, in general, fully corresponds to the money that the manufacturer asks for him.
Our certificate
Mikhail Moshkov, Head of Skoda Group of Companies AUTOMER:
The new generation of Skoda Fabia car has kept all the parameters that prompted buyers to acquire the first generation model. External design, proposed body coloring, as well as combinations of materials and colors used in the design of the cabin, carry a positive emotional charge.
The new generation of Fabia model range belongs to the largest representatives of the class of small car. According to the decisive parameters of comfort for drivers and passengers, the new Skoda Fabia is one of the leaders in this class of cars. The appearance of the new Fabia car has become more expressive, sports and dynamic. The body looks compact, with the total length of the new Fabia increased by 22 mm. An important argument in favor of choice is the large base volume of the luggage compartment, which makes up 300 liters, and with folded rear seats in the double version of the salon, the volume reaches 1163 liters.
The driving qualities of the new car correspond to the dynamicity and freshness of the design. The proposed engines with a volume of 1.2 to 1.6 liters allow you to choose a car that is best suited to you.
Conduct a test drive of the car and form your opinion about the new generation of Skoda Fabia you can in the car dealerships of official dealers, for example, in our car dealership.
Text: Andrey Konstantinov
Photo: Yang Segal
A source: Mkmobil [04.06.2007]