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All-New 2014 Skoda Fabia: First Photos of Third-Generation Model

The third generation Skoda Fabia will be officially presented later this year. We know that for a fact because the Czechs themselves announced this in one of their press releases. This highly anticipated model plays a major role in the European supermini market and we have the very first photos of a production model, undergoing a brief session of track testing at the Nurburgring.
All-New 2014 Skoda Fabia 20 photos
Photo: Skoda
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Though obscured by a camouflage wrap, the new Fabia's design can still be made out. Starting with a prominent front grille, simple, straight lines create an understated and clean look for the Central European car. The 5-door will not look out of place next to a Rapid or an Octavia, but it has its own look going on.

The most interesting angle on the whole car is the back, where the boot hatch and bumper form an angles fascia, sort of like the one on the new Renault Twingo.

There's not a single sporty detail on the new Fabia. In fact, Skoda has given up on the vRS version altogether and is concentrating on affordability and practicality. Our prototype appears to have 15-inch wheels with continental tires, disk brakes all-round and a very small rear spoiler. Round the back, the exhaust isn't even showing, just the tow ring and a sea of uniform, reasonably shaped plastic.

We believe the biggest selling point of the Fabia will be its boot, which could reach 350 liters if they decide to dispense with the spare and mount the floor lower. Interior space could also be surprisingly good.

Instead of going for an all-new platform, Skoda has re-engineered the old PQ24 (A0 family), thus keeping development costs down. The engines are also already available on other models. 1-liter mills will replace the current 1.2-liter HTP units. Originally introduced with the Up! family of minis, the new "liter mills" have also been fitted to the Polo, so we know they work on a supermini.

Updates for the 1.2 TSI turbos will also be made, with start-stop tech and potentially even energy recovery used to reduce fuel consumption. The only diesel option is likely to be a 1.4-liter three-cylinder that VW Group has designed to replace both 1.2 TDI and 1.6 TDIs. Fabia Greenline versions could have either the 1.4 or a 1-liter turbo engine, the first petrol used on Skoda's eco cars.

Within the next two years, estate and van versions of this supermini will hit the market. But for now, all of Skoda's efforts will focus on the popular 5-door.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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