The Skoda Fabia might not be the most eagerly anticipated cars around, but it most certainly plays an important role for the Czech carmaker that hopes to increase its sales to over a million units annually.
Launched in 2007, the current model is the oldest of al the cars VW group has built on the PQ24 platform, preceding the VW Polo and SEAT Ibiza. It's thus also the first to be replaced by an all-new model scheduled to come out at this year's Paris Motor Show.
Many things are going to change, including the design and engines. However, the architecture will be a revised version of the current one, not the all-new MQB used by the bigger Octavia. Skoda will also reportedly drop the vRS hot hatch version after seeing lack of demand.
Engine choices will include the 1-liter units from the smaller Citigo and revised versions of the 1.2-liter TSI. Both the 1.2 and 1.6-liter diesel options will be replaced by a new 1.4 TDI with three cylinders and either 75 or 90 hp.
The Volkswagen Polo has just gained its first petrol engine for the BlueMotion fuel sipping model. Skoda usually mirrors the Germans with its own Greenline models, which is why the new Fabia could get its own 1-liter TSI turbo with 90 hp, burning fuel at a rate of about 4 liters per 100 km.
These latest spy photos were taken in the Alps, where Skoda engineers were testing this black 5-door hatch at high altitude. The first thing that strikes us is just how huge the headlights are, lifting the otherwise boring front end design.
Many things are going to change, including the design and engines. However, the architecture will be a revised version of the current one, not the all-new MQB used by the bigger Octavia. Skoda will also reportedly drop the vRS hot hatch version after seeing lack of demand.
Engine choices will include the 1-liter units from the smaller Citigo and revised versions of the 1.2-liter TSI. Both the 1.2 and 1.6-liter diesel options will be replaced by a new 1.4 TDI with three cylinders and either 75 or 90 hp.
The Volkswagen Polo has just gained its first petrol engine for the BlueMotion fuel sipping model. Skoda usually mirrors the Germans with its own Greenline models, which is why the new Fabia could get its own 1-liter TSI turbo with 90 hp, burning fuel at a rate of about 4 liters per 100 km.
These latest spy photos were taken in the Alps, where Skoda engineers were testing this black 5-door hatch at high altitude. The first thing that strikes us is just how huge the headlights are, lifting the otherwise boring front end design.