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.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Skoda flagship electric SUV to get Vision 7S inspiration
Skoda Vision 7S SUV design render - front

New Skoda flagship electric SUV to get Vision 7S inspiration

This all-electric seven-seat SUV is bigger than the Kodiaq, and it'll be the next Skoda to adopt the Modern Solid styling philosophy
News
23 Jan 2025
Cheapest cars to insure in the UK 2025
Cheapest cars to insure - header image

Cheapest cars to insure in the UK 2025

These are the cars with the lowest insurance group ratings in the UK today
Best cars & vans
22 Jan 2025
Best small cars to buy 2025
Best small cars 2025 - header

Best small cars to buy 2025

Small cars come in all kinds of shapes, if not sizes. Here we highlight the best ones to buy
Best cars & vans
20 Jan 2025
New Skoda seven-seat electric SUV spotted for the first time
Skoda's seven-seater electric SUV - front tracking

New Skoda seven-seat electric SUV spotted for the first time

Testing has begun on the production version of Skoda’s bold Vision 7S concept
News
14 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month
Mazda 3 front corner tracking

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month

Mazda’s high-quality family hatch might cost less than you expect with low initial payment and monthly fee
News
2 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head
Electric company car megatest - header

Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head

Drivers are spoiled for choice in the flourishing EV company car market, but which of our six rivals does the business?
Car group tests
3 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts