New Skoda Fabia to cost from £10,600

The new Skoda Fabia supermini, which replaces the current seven-year-old model, has been revealed at the Paris motor show.

The new Fabia will arrive in the UK early next year with prices starting from £10,600.

The Fabia, which is Skoda’s second best-selling model after the Skoda Octavia, should give the Czech car maker a significant boost in Europe’s vital supermini market. Sales of the current Fabia slipped under the 200,000 mark in last year.

Skoda's Fabia remains under four metres long but is 30mm lower in height and a significant 90mm wider than the outgoing model. This will not only improve cabin space but should also give the car a more planted and contemporary look. A 330-litre boot is offered, some 15 litres larger than the outgoing model's.

Jozef Kaban, Skoda’s chief designer, says the new model marks a decisive shift in the brand’s design language. 

“In recent years, Skoda has made a name for itself by producing cars with great functionality and above-average interior space,” he said. “We sense now is the right time to create a stronger connection between the functionality of our cars and an expressive and emotional design.”

Kaban also said Skoda had focused on creating a sportier vehicle and making the design crisper. “The result,” he said, “is a young, fresh and modern compact car that sets new standards in its segment.”

It is understood that the Fabia is based on the latest version of the Volkswagen Group’s PQ26 platform, first used on this year’s revamped Volkswagen Polo supermini. 

The newly re-engineered platform has been modified to accept the VW Group’s latest range of engines and transmissions as well as the most up-to-date safety and infotainment kit. Improvements in structural rigidity should also ensure improved handling and safety.

There will be a brace of EU6-compliant engines, starting with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit used in the VW Up and the Skoda Citigo. Above that is a series of 1.2 turbocharged four-cylinders thought to develop between 89bhp and 109bhp, depending on the state of tune.

The top new Fabia model is expected to be the Greenline diesel. Using a 74bhp 1.4 turbodiesel, it is expected to claim a figure of 82g/km on CO2 emissions with fuel economy of 91mpg. However, even the entry-level 1.0-litre model should offer impressive efficiency thanks to a dry weight of around 980kg.

Skoda has revealed UK pricing and specification information for the hatchback variant of the Fabia. Three trim levels will be offered: S, SE and Elegance, and six engine choices.

The 18-variant range will start at £10,600 for a 59bhp Fabia S 1.0 MPI and rise to £17,240 for a 89bhp Fabia Elegance 1.4 TDI equipped with a DSG twin-clutch transmission.