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Skoda Fabia Combi ScoutLine Debuts in Geneva, Looks like a Baby Octavia

The Skoda Fabia Combi ScoutLine made its official web debut in October 2015, yet it can only now be admired in the metal at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Those months in between didn't go to waste, though, as we realized it's not an off-road vehicle, but more of a rugged statement. Think of it as the car equivalent of a metrosexual's beard and lumberjack shirt.
Skoda Fabia Combi ScoutLine 11 photos
Photo: Guido ten Brink / SB-Medien
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Why do we say that? Because unlike the Octavia Scout, the Fabia ScoutLine hasn't got raised suspension or all-wheel drive. It doesn't make sense to do that, right?

But what you guys probably don't know is that the Octavia Scout is a fashion icon and also a very expensive car. With the 2.0 TDI 184 PS engine, AWD and all the options, you can get it at over €40,000, which you can't do with a Mazda6. That kind of money proves the desirability of the "Scout" brand and means it can be used for something else.

Think of it as a reverse Volkswagen R-Line or AMG-look pack. The transformation is visually successful, partly because the new Fabia is wider and more sharply designed than its predecessor.

Starting off with the Combi (wagon) model, designers added silver mirror caps, 16-inch Rock and 17-inch Clubber alloy wheels. They also added metal-look elements at both ends, silver roof rails and an array of black plastic elements.

In theory, the transformation makes no sense. If you scratch a bumper, will you just leave it like that? Most people would still take it to the body shop to be fixed, so it's like an intentionally negligent hairstyle that should never be touched by strangers.

As we've said from the beginning, this tough-looking wagon doesn't have AWD. So it's like a man in a lumberjack shirt that can't use an ax. Instead, you get a choice of six engines with between 75 and 110 PS. Everybody is going to buy the 1.4 TDI with 90 horsepower and a 5-speed manual or a more powerful version with DSG. And by everybody, we mean people that are about to retire and want their last new car to be small with a 530-liter boot and a Skoda badge.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

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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