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Skoda Fabia

Revealed: New Fabia by a nose!

Exclusive images in this week's mag show the face of the new Fabia

By Sam Hardy

26th November 2006

Following our spyshots in issue 935, we can now reveal the front end of Skoda's all-new supermini. And as you can see, the nose is virtually identical to the firm's small MPV, the Roomster.
 
A five-seater layout will feature, and passenger space should be better than in the current model, thanks to a larger platform which has also been taken from the Roomster

Thanks to bold headlights and a pronounced grille - complete with a chrome outline, vertical slats and large Skoda badge - the Fabia has much more road presence than the current car. The sharp looks are continued by the rising waistline and C-pillar, which curves up to the roofline - a shape that also echoes the front door treatment given to the Roomster.

At the rear, the tail-lights are similar to those of the current car, but a jutting lower bumper and neat roof spoiler provide the Fabia with a more distinctive look. In profile, the supermini has a similar shape to the Suzuki Swift, and the design team at Skoda was keen to get rid of the conservative appearance of the current Fabia.

One of the few criticisms levelled at the existing model is that cabin materials aren't up to scratch. As a result, the interior takes further inspiration from the Roomster, boasting high-quality soft-touch plastics and a dashboard with a classy central LCD read-out.

A five-seater layout will feature, and passenger space should be better than in the current model, thanks to a larger platform which has also been taken from the Roomster. In addition, buyers can expect plenty of innovative stowage solutions to enhance the new supermini's practicality.

As with the existing car, the Fabia will come as a five-door hatch or an estate. Our spies have already snap­ped the load-lugging variant (issue 904), which has a sleeker design than before.

Most models will be sold with the VW Group's FSI petrol engines - inclu­ding 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre units - but the line-up will also comprise TDI diesels. And in a Fabia first, VW's TSI motors - which use a turbo and supercharger to provide a potent mix of performance and economy - will be used.

Topping the range will be a vRS hot hatch model that's equipped with a turbo­diesel engine and features a racy bodykit. After making its official world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Fabia will appear on forecourts here in May 2007, with prices starting from around £8,000.

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