Photo: X-Tomi Design
Skoda definitely didn't reinvent the subcompact segment with the Mk3 Fabia, which was revealed a week ago. However, at a glance, it seems to offer everything a customer looking for a simple car could ever want.
The new Fabia is wider, a bit lighter and is powered by a couple of decent small engines. However, sitting in the middle of the supermini segment like a blob of affordability is the Dacia Sandero. Launched in 2012, it too offers lots of space and good engines, especially Renault's tried and tested 1.5 turbocharged diesel.
Customers across Europe have recently purchased a Sandero, bolstering Dacia sales to record levels in 2014. What's more, many went for the most expensive Sandero Stepway model, which comes with raised suspension and protective plastic body armor. Sure, it's not an SUV, but it gets the job done and we think it looks better than the regular Sandero.
Skoda knows how to make more rugged versions of regular cars as well. The Czech company has made a career out of raising Octavia estates and passing them off as crossovers, even before Volkswagen or Opel got in on the act. If they decide to do the same to the new Fabia, it should look a little bit like this rendering, created by Hungarian graphic manipulator X-Tomi. Starting off with a press photo, he added elements from the Octavia Scout and raised the suspension… simply clever.
Volkswagen sells a similar car, which is called the Cross Polo and ironically rides on the same platform as the Fabia. However, most other car companies went the exact opposite direction and made their supermini crossovers with bespoke bodywork and larger cabins. Noteworthy examples include the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008, both of which have been selling extremely well.
For now, Skoda officials have confirmed only two more Fabia models, the Combi estate and the Monte Carlo. However, a Fabia Scout would make a lot of sense from both the Skoda's and its customers' points of view. Not only would it compete with the Dacia model and probably sell well, but it would make far more sense as part of a budget brand than the old Fabia vRS flagship, which was a performance-oriented hatch.
That's why we want to hear from you family men and women: would a Fabia Scout make sense for you and yours?
Customers across Europe have recently purchased a Sandero, bolstering Dacia sales to record levels in 2014. What's more, many went for the most expensive Sandero Stepway model, which comes with raised suspension and protective plastic body armor. Sure, it's not an SUV, but it gets the job done and we think it looks better than the regular Sandero.
Skoda knows how to make more rugged versions of regular cars as well. The Czech company has made a career out of raising Octavia estates and passing them off as crossovers, even before Volkswagen or Opel got in on the act. If they decide to do the same to the new Fabia, it should look a little bit like this rendering, created by Hungarian graphic manipulator X-Tomi. Starting off with a press photo, he added elements from the Octavia Scout and raised the suspension… simply clever.
Volkswagen sells a similar car, which is called the Cross Polo and ironically rides on the same platform as the Fabia. However, most other car companies went the exact opposite direction and made their supermini crossovers with bespoke bodywork and larger cabins. Noteworthy examples include the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008, both of which have been selling extremely well.
For now, Skoda officials have confirmed only two more Fabia models, the Combi estate and the Monte Carlo. However, a Fabia Scout would make a lot of sense from both the Skoda's and its customers' points of view. Not only would it compete with the Dacia model and probably sell well, but it would make far more sense as part of a budget brand than the old Fabia vRS flagship, which was a performance-oriented hatch.
That's why we want to hear from you family men and women: would a Fabia Scout make sense for you and yours?
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