Fabia-licious Skoda!

A few days back i happened to see the blue Fabia vrooming on the sub-urban Mumbai streets. Nothing could mistake the sparsely disguised super hatch from my eyes as it was cruising at high speeds. Unfortunately and very likely, I dont have a camera to support my thoughts(No Budget maam). But thank God i am a human , able to convert those feelings into useful words here.

Here's the complete brief of the model thats slated to be launched by sep:

Design/Engineering: Based on the new-gen platform , the fabia is just the model skoda needed to make it's presence felt here. At 3992mm, its very clear Skoda wants to take clear benifits of the excise norms here, so it seems justified postponing the older version.

The new edition draws heavily on the outgoing car (including an identical wheelbase, very similar dimensions and some closely related engines), but packages them into a taller, roomier, bolder body style reminiscent of the Suzuki Swift from some angles. Like the original Fabia, the 2007 edition is first in the VW supermini family to adopt a platform which will go under a yet-to-be launched, new-generation VW Polo.

The ’07 Fabia’s basic structure has been re-engineered in key areas for better crash performance and to support a new body whose main dimensional difference is another 50mm (two inches) of overall height. Launch cars are five-door hatchbacks, but a five-door estate is slated internationally in a year’s time. No chance of it making to India.

ENGINES/GEARBOX: There are 7 engines to choose for europeans, only two for us! But thats better coz there's no use having a long array of confusion! Also excise benifits rem? So starting with the gasoline junkies, the 1.2 ltr 3 cyl 70 bhp thugger is a sprightly unit, eager to rev high, and reportedly good low and medium speed response. High speed range is reported sluggish! But this is the best motor reported to have been tested internationally by all riders across the world for its great combination of response and modulation! Coupled to a sleek synchromesh g5 speed manual, this si the one to gun for if u look for better spirits!

For the econo-heads, 1.4 ltr 70 bhp pumpduse engine(Basically the Laura engine with an extra cylinder chopped off, meaning vibrations and balancing issues) is the one to gun for. Surely the hot seller for our market, this motor is reported to be very gruff in higher rpms though smooth and torquey! Expect great mileage from this one!

As ever the gear box is fnantically smooth and precise, but to keep up with the traffic, u need to stir it up quite a lot! An 80 bhp version of the same is also available, which does away with the turbo lag! There's an option of a six speed auto DSG mated to a 1.6 ltr petrol, no chnces of making it here. But pray ernestly for the RS version slated for launch by 2008!

INTERIORS: The petrol will have an all beige interior, as pictured here! Damn, lots of clothing needed to our dusty conditions! The diesel gets somewhat better grey and white interiors! But nothing comes close to the quality of interiors offered here, atleast in hatch class! Just take a look at the fit and finish and u know how optimistic I am! Though most of the

high end features like bluetooth phone connector, satnav, heated mirrors etc will be removed for our market, but at the same time features like parking sensors will be retained across the range! At 2462 mm, its got equal legroom to the Fiesta! Luggage space of impressive 3 00 ltrs can be boosted to 1300 ltrs with folded seats, and with the front seats fully backed, there wont be any issues with three six footers at the back! The first thing that strikes you about any Fabia is its extra height: like most of its peers it’s a four-metre car now, and tall with it. That leads to impressively enhanced interior room.

RIDE/HANDLING: The Fabia dealt well with coarse bitumen and rutted conctete roads reportedly, so reminiscent of India’s, and on any decent surface it will run quietly, with a pleasant “rubber-footed” sensation over bad bumps.

The steering is lower geared than most in the class and the steering wheel is quite big, too, but there’s a faithfulness and accuracy about it which makes pressing on a pleasure. Body roll is there, and its nowhere the go-kart type as in Swift, but still the car is confident around corners and surefooted on any tarmac. Making it highly justified for nationwide launch!

FUEL EFFECIENCY: 1.2 PETROL REPORTS ABOUT 14 KMPL COMBINED; 1.4 PD APPROX. 17 KPL COMBINED. GOOD ENOUGH.

VERDICT: We are seriously looking at the probable Car Of the Year 2008! This is a model with all attributes of the saloon and novelities of a macro hatch! Cash strapped families need something big and novel concepts like this can go to fulfill their desires to a big extent. My source close to Skoda Aurangabad says the car is expected to be in the 6-6.5 lakhs range initially with costs coming don as localisation increases. Rest upto you to decide what to do or not!

In my case, I would deal a cheque for this CHECH!