Skoda Fabia

By James Disdale

22nd August 2007

We've got the bigger picture on Skoda’s new Fabia Estate. These are the first official images showing off all angles of the Czech wagon, which is due to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

And it’s got a lot to live up to, as the previous Fabia Estate proved very popular with buyers – 630,000 were sold worldwide. It also has to face tough competition from the Peugeot 207 SW and forthcoming Renault Clio Sport Tourer.

As these images show, the Skoda carries over the classy and solid look of the hatchback. The rear end features a long overhang and uses the same rear lights as the five-door. With the seats up, the estate delivers a class-leading 480 litres of load space. This increases to 1,460 litres with the 60:40 split rear seat folded flat.

The addition of aluminium finish roof rails offers extra practicality, as do a number of clever storage features inside the boot. There are cubbies in the side panels, securing hooks and a neat stowage tray under the floor.

Customers will have the choice of three petrol engines – a 1.2-litre, 1.4 or 1.6. Derv fans can pick either a 1.4 or 1.9-litre turbodiesel unit. The car will arrive in British showrooms next year, priced at around £1,000 more than the hatchback version.

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