Skip advert
Advertisement

New Euro 7 emissions regs could kill the Skoda Fabia

Skoda is waiting for the final details of new Euro 7 emissions standards before committing to a new generation of its popular supermini

Skoda Fabia - front tracking

Plans for a future generation of the Skoda Fabia supermini will “hang on the detail” of any forthcoming deal on European emissions regulations, the company’s boss has revealed to Auto Express.

The existing Fabia was introduced in 2019, meaning that under a normal life cycle it would be due for replacement in 2026. But with the European Union still thrashing out plans for its toughest set of emissions rules yet, due to be implemented around the same time, Skoda officials have already warned that the popular supermini might become too expensive to make in its current form.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The problem of clean and legally compliant small cars is one facing the entire industry although some brands, notably Renault, have already confirmed that they have electrified combustion-engined superminis under development – cars that could feasibly be on sale into the next decade.

Speaking to Auto Express, Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer admitted that work on a fifth-gen Fabia is not likely to start until the new regulations, called Euro 7, are finalised. “Currently we’re waiting for that rules framework to be as concrete as possible, so we can start developing” Zellmer said. “We have seen recently some good direction within the European Union, from certain countries. We’ve always said that adding up to 5,000 euros per car for technology that doesn’t fully benefit the climate is probably not the most intelligent solution. And I think we’re heading in the right direction, so personally I’m more optimistic now that we’ll be able to extend the current Fabia’s life cycle.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

“Can we build another one after it, though? For the next generation we’ll have to see precisely what Euro 7 is. It’s going to hang on the details; we need to understand them fully and then we can make decisions.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

However, Johannes Neft, Skoda’s board member for technical development, has indicated that the Fabia’s existing platform, MQB A0, would require expensive investment to adopt even 48-volt mild-hybrid systems that might allow motorway coasting or electric running in urban situations.

“Mild hybrid is about more than the CO2 footprint. It’s also an advantage for the customer who is driving outside of town, on motorways, where the system can cut the engine out completely. This brings huge benefits,” Neft said. “But I have to say that we never developed the MQB A0 platform to accept mild hybrid; when it was created there just wasn’t a need for PHEV or even MHEV. If you want to have something like this, you’ll have to redevelop the complete electronics system. And that will be complex and cost a lot.”

Skoda’s business case for adapting MQB A0 to take electrification might well be made tougher by other VW Group brands leaving the supermini category altogether. SEAT is said to have no plans for a next-gen Ibiza, Audi will abandon the A1 after this generation and there is increasing speculation that Volkswagen is preparing to drop the Polo model after the current edition. That could conceivably leave Skoda alone within the wider VW Group in wanting to sell a combustion-engined small car – and having to stump up all of the development costs required to make one that complies with European Union rules.

Check out the latest Skoda news and reviews...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best superminis to buy 2025
Best superminis - header image

Best superminis to buy 2025

It's a hard-fought class, but these are the 10 best superminis on sale right now
Best cars & vans
3 Jul 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels
Skoda Epiq exclusive image - front

New Skoda Epiq baby SUV could be a Tardis on wheels

The new Skoda Epic will sit below the Elroq and Enyaq in the brand’s ever-expanding SUV range and is set to offer plenty of space despite its compact …
News
23 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025