Photo: RM.Design
While Volkswagen chose to give its Polo supermini a facelift for 2014, sister brand Skoda decided its Fabia was too old to learn new tricks. So instead of nip and tuck, the Czechs are starting over with an all-new Fabia, the third version that's expected to come out during the Paris Motor Show.
We've seen test prototypes on a number of occasions, but even though the camouflage was minimal, it still obstructed several design elements and warped the big picture. Now we have a rendering courtesy of RM.Design which we think is decently close to the real thing with the exception of the sides of the front bumper and parts of the headlight borrowed from a picture of the Octavia .
As you can see, Skoda is not going to win the Red Dot design award with this car. It's one of the simplest and most understated cars in the supermini segment, which seems filled to the brim with big personalities like the Ford Fiesta's or Peugeot 208's.
Of course, that doesn't mean people won't like it. Skodas are famous for offering great value for money. The bigger Rapid sedan and hatch is about the size of a Renault Megane, but it's as cheap as a Clio. Following that formula, this Fabia will compete with high-spec Dacia Sanderos.
Even the platform for this car is non-impressive. It doesn't make use the newer MQB architecture, but a re-designed version of the old car's A0 family platform called the PQ26. This helps keeps costs to a minimum, together with small and simple engines borrowed from other models, like the 1-liter three-cylinder with 60 or 75 hp taken from the smaller Citigo.
Several prototypes have already been seen familiar Skoda colors: Brilliant Silver Metallic, Denim Blue Metallic, Rally Green Metallic and Rio Red Metallic. Contrasting roof and mirrors will continue being offered on the Fabia, but this is nowhere near the customization options French car companies boast.
As you can see, Skoda is not going to win the Red Dot design award with this car. It's one of the simplest and most understated cars in the supermini segment, which seems filled to the brim with big personalities like the Ford Fiesta's or Peugeot 208's.
Of course, that doesn't mean people won't like it. Skodas are famous for offering great value for money. The bigger Rapid sedan and hatch is about the size of a Renault Megane, but it's as cheap as a Clio. Following that formula, this Fabia will compete with high-spec Dacia Sanderos.
Even the platform for this car is non-impressive. It doesn't make use the newer MQB architecture, but a re-designed version of the old car's A0 family platform called the PQ26. This helps keeps costs to a minimum, together with small and simple engines borrowed from other models, like the 1-liter three-cylinder with 60 or 75 hp taken from the smaller Citigo.
Several prototypes have already been seen familiar Skoda colors: Brilliant Silver Metallic, Denim Blue Metallic, Rally Green Metallic and Rio Red Metallic. Contrasting roof and mirrors will continue being offered on the Fabia, but this is nowhere near the customization options French car companies boast.
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