Skoda Fabia test drive since 2007 -

Is Skoda Fabia suitable for a sports "section"?

November 17, 2009
Mileage 2600 km
Average fuel consumption 9.5 l/100 km
I will not hide I love small cars. Small dimensions are convenient in the city crowding, the problem of parking for them is the least acute, and modest weight allows you to easily compete with much more powerful rivals. In addition, most of them give an active driver positive emotions. Therefore, I have always been trembling with B-class representatives. So it's time to ride a week on Skoda Fabia, which we took for a long test.
After all, it is true that it might be stupid than purchases of a five -meter cruiser when you go the maximum together? In practicality, the modern B-class is difficult to blame for any such hatchback so much junk that friends and neighbors are hardly believed in this until they are convinced by their own eyes. For example, I easily stuffed four 17-inch winter tires for my Clio Renault Sport.
Yes, and the comfort of the meel is not as deprived of as their ancestors, which we have already seen on the example of Fabia. But my priority was always shifted towards running qualities. Will Skoda Fabia dispel the image of a female car and be able to please fans of fast driving? We will certainly learn this. But before getting behind the wheel, I would like to retreat a little towards the appearance.
What is characteristic of the segment B is full of bright and non-trivial machines. Apparently, marketers do not welcome the experiments of designers in more serious classes too much, so they come off with might and main on the kids. However, this is difficult to say about Fabia. An interesting color barely revives the political correct exterior, but in general the five -door carrot is boring. A narrow tall body, modest 15-inch wheels does not light.
But in the memory, the crazy sensations that the combat Fabia S2000 were presented in memory, and with the previous generation turbodiesella Fabia RS, I survived a lot of pleasant trips. Of course, Skoda oathly promises to withdraw the new RS-ku (probably next year), but so far you have to be content with a version with a 1.4-liter engine and five-speed mechanics.
Ba! And inside what is happening! Just a paradise for lovers of a relaxed atmosphere. The young mother is hardly happy with the light salon, too impractical. But I, sitting down on a high stool, want to not squeeze the gas pedal to failure, but read the newspaper. Quietly, comfortable, sunny. This idyll does not violate even the turning of the key in the ignition lock.
Further more. The chairs are completely flat and are practically deprived of lateral support. The steering wheel, the usual, four -spokesman, has already managed to become familiar on other models of Skoda. And the long -flowing handle of the checkpoint and weightless clutch raising the question of relatively quick switching. The dull with dull green lighting and simple graphics puts the point.
But in reality everything is much more interesting! Yes, the 86-horsepower motor of the stars from the sky is not enough, but the transmission is selected very well and clings to one another to another. The main thing is not to be lazy to switch. Fortunately, in fact, the gearbox lever turned out to be very convenient to work with fixation and the accuracy of the choice of steps overlap the above minus. But you just have to forget to throw up the armrest, otherwise make a few bruises if you actively work with a pen.
Several fast accelerations and you understand above 5500 revolutions you do not need to twist. For the highest possible acceleration, it is necessary that the tachometer arrow does not fall below the 4th mark. After all, the peak of torque (132 nm) falls at 3800 rpm. And it also pleased that the motor willingly responds to excesses at the right time, you can always quickly switch down.
So in the urban crowd Fabia feels excellent. Here it is the element of an orange hatchback! A narrow body, sufficient thrust on the bottom and excellent visibility allow you to confidently flash the Moscow flea market, and short transfers allow you not to feel superfluous to the velor-poses at the traffic light.
But there are no miracles. The first, second, third, on the speedometer 110 (Skoda gains a hundred in the passport in 12.3 seconds), but further the acceleration rate is greatly reduced and each subsequent ten fabi miles is more and heavier. On the multi-lane line, this does not become a big problem in the end, it reaches more than enough 150 km/h. But on the teeming with a narrow concrete, any overtaking had to start with a substantial margin.
By the way, with long warriors on the highway, another drawback of the front seats was revealed, my back was tired. Yes, and in the turns of Fabia is a middle peasant. Everything spoils the hot body rolls and the suspension is clearly soft for active driving here the priority in the settings is given to smoothness. And security. It is worth moving on the limit of the adhesion properties of the Bridgestone Turanza ER300 (195/55 R15), as Skoda will immediately slip out the front. He threw off the gas returned to the trajectory. As in the textbook, but this is precisely what evokes boredom.
So what will the conclusion be? Yes, on Fabia it is quite possible to nimble and certainly do not comprehend about its capabilities. The main thing is to keep the engine in good shape and not be scared of the rolls in corners. But if the choice fell on Skoda and I want more hot habits, then it is better to take a stylish version of Sport with a 1.6-liter engine, a three-spoke steering wheel, the right seats and a white roof. It will not be possible to overtake everyone in this case, but it looks much more interesting.
By the way, not so long ago in our editorial garage, the Spanish relative of Fabia is temporarily registered with the nozzle SEAT Ibiza SC. Until I got to her yet, but something tells me not to occupy the temperament from her. Will anticipations justify? Soon we will find out for sure!
Text: Vadim Gagarin
Photo: Vitaly Kabyshev
 
 
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru