Photo: CarPix
The Fabia supermini is Skoda's second best-selling car, with around 3.4 million units sold in two generations. An all-new model has just been revealed and is about to go on sale in a few months. However, the Czech carmaker plans to launch one more body style in early 2015. Based on the same platform, but offering more practicality, the 2015 Fabia Combi has been spotted undergoing road testing ahead of its debut. The supermini estate model is sure to offer the same levels of cargo space as a model from the class above while still being cheap to buy and own.
Wearing only minimal camouflage, the prototype appears to be in equipped with all the features Skoda offers, including a new shade of metallic green, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and projector headlights.
Most of the bodywork is identical to that of the Fabia 3, but there are some subtle differences in the rear door windows and of course the extended boot of the car. A reduction in weight of up to 65 kilograms over its predecessor should help the Fabia Combi's all-new engines reduce fuel consumption by around 15%.
These engines will all be carried over from the regular Fabia hatchback, with the exception of the base 1.0-liter with 60 horsepower, which lacks the necessary power. With one exception, all the engines of the Fabia Combi will be turbocharged. The petrol-powered 1.2 TSI units will appeal to many buyers due to their improved fuel consumption (thanks to start/stop tech and brake energy recovery). Those doing long motorway journeys will pick one of the three new 1.4-liter TDI diesels replacing the old 1.2 and 1.6 TDI units.
The supermini estate market is not that large and mainly targets Europeans. However 2015 Fabia Combi will have quite a few rivals, including the Clio Estate, SEAT Ibiza ST, the Citroen C3 Picasso and the increasingly popular small crossovers coming from French companies.
However, we expect Skoda to offer around 550 liters of boot space, making this the most cavernous car in its class. The all-new 1.4-liter diesel engines could also be a selling point boasting fuel consumption of as little as 3.5 l/100km (81 mpg UK), as could the active safety systems installed.
Most of the bodywork is identical to that of the Fabia 3, but there are some subtle differences in the rear door windows and of course the extended boot of the car. A reduction in weight of up to 65 kilograms over its predecessor should help the Fabia Combi's all-new engines reduce fuel consumption by around 15%.
These engines will all be carried over from the regular Fabia hatchback, with the exception of the base 1.0-liter with 60 horsepower, which lacks the necessary power. With one exception, all the engines of the Fabia Combi will be turbocharged. The petrol-powered 1.2 TSI units will appeal to many buyers due to their improved fuel consumption (thanks to start/stop tech and brake energy recovery). Those doing long motorway journeys will pick one of the three new 1.4-liter TDI diesels replacing the old 1.2 and 1.6 TDI units.
The supermini estate market is not that large and mainly targets Europeans. However 2015 Fabia Combi will have quite a few rivals, including the Clio Estate, SEAT Ibiza ST, the Citroen C3 Picasso and the increasingly popular small crossovers coming from French companies.
However, we expect Skoda to offer around 550 liters of boot space, making this the most cavernous car in its class. The all-new 1.4-liter diesel engines could also be a selling point boasting fuel consumption of as little as 3.5 l/100km (81 mpg UK), as could the active safety systems installed.
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