The Volkswagen Group is instructing its satellite companies such as Skoda to promote the virtues of efficiency, specifically in selling the new generation Fabia. The VW Group promoted engine efficiency for over 25 years before dieselgate exposed them as being involved in an elaborate fraud. It was a very clever fraud and very costly. If they had revealed the true efficiency figures they would have sold the same amount of vehicles anyway. To that end, VW’s desire to orchestrate an elaborate fraud to dupe emissions testing never made any sense. Why? because they have the best qualified and brightest minds in the automotive industry committing the equivalent to a badly planned comedy bank heist.
It really irritated us here at DCBHQ when we read the Skoda Fabia press release which included the word “efficient” in the headline. Why should we believe Skoda because they are “Simply Clever”? or do they believe car buyers are simply stupid? Normally, when an all-new generation car is revealed we dutifully provide the relevant information. No more no less. But for Skoda to use the word “efficient” in promoting the new Fabia is like opening up pandora’s box. Or perhaps, we here at DCBHQ might just be easily triggered.
Rant over.
Anyway, the 2021 Skoda Fabia is a Volkswagen Polo in disguise. The new-look exterior mirrors Skoda’s latest design language. Because the cost of manufacturing is cheaper in the Czech Republic, Skoda can often undercut Volkswagen in terms of price. The Fabia is now making use of Volkswagen’s latest supermini platform so it will offer marginally bigger interior space than the last-gen Fabia. Prices will start from £13,500 when the hatchback is launched in the UK, Q1 2022. An estate variant is planned to launch in 2023.
Power is supplied by a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine which is available in 64bhp and 79bhp power variants. Avoid this engine. And avoid the 1.0-litre 108bhp TSi variant and don’t be tempted by the fact that it can be mated with a 7-speed DSG. Our choice is the 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder TSi because it elevates the power to a more purposeful 148bhp and the 0-62 time takes a reasonable 7.9 seconds while managing to return 45mpg.
The all-new Fabia will be available in three trim levels, S, SE and SE L. We don’t what that means because we haven’t driven a Skoda in over 2 years. Standard equipment highlights include LED headlights, foglights, a 6.2-inch infotainment system (8.2 inch or 9.0 inch depending on spec), smartphone connectivity, gesture control and Laura, which is a voice control system.
The all-new Skoda Fabia will also come loaded with the latest in active and passive driver safety systems so you can survive any impact safely. But don’t take our word for it.
