Skoda’s first new-generation Fabia in seven years will go on sale in the coming months – and government documents have outed a three-variant range, with a sporty Monte Carlo range-topper.
The new 2022 Skoda Fabia city car has been granted approval for launch in Australia, ahead of its launch in March or April – and it looks set to offer a choice of three variants.
Details published by the Department of Infrastructure show three Fabia variants have been registered for sale in Australia –Ambition, Style and Monte Carlo – all in a five-door hatchback body style (given a new wagon isn’t expected to be offered).
While details of engines, transmissions and standard features are not listed in the filing, Drive understands that given its larger body, higher levels of convenience and safety technology, and newer underpinnings will result in not-insignificant price rises over the outgoing model.
The new Fabia should remain Skoda’s most affordable model – but with the fourth-generation Fabia cited to be a “more premium offering than the current car”, expect prices to rise from the $23,990 of the current Fabia, and draw closer to the one-size-up $30,990 Scala hatchback (both prices drive-away).
Revealed in April 2021, the new Fabia migrates to the same front-wheel-drive ‘MQB A0’ platform as the Volkswagen Polo, and in the process gains a new look, much larger body, larger infotainment and instrument displays, and a suite of new driver-assistance and safety technology.
Few Australian details are confirmed in the Fabia’s certification filing – though it does confirm the Monte Carlo will wear tweaked bumpers compared to the standard model, and is expected to feature larger alloy wheels (as hinted by its additional ground clearance).
Entry-level variants with smaller alloy wheels will be offered with full-size spare wheels (with a 185/65R15 profile), while more expensive variants with larger alloys and wider tyres will revert to space-saver spare wheels (125/70R18 profile).
It’s not known how large the alloys available on the Ambition, Style or Monte Carlo will be – assuming all three variants are offered at launch – nor any other standard feature details.
What lies under the bonnet also remains to be seen – though it’s certain to be a pure petrol engine, as no hybrid, plug-in hybrid, diesel or electric options are available with the new Fabia overseas.
Given the outgoing Fabia was available in 70TSI and 81TSI forms, it’s possible the new model could opt for their closest equivalents: 70kW/175Nm and 81kW/200Nm tunes of a 11.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, driving the front wheels.
As with the current model, the 70kW variant is available only with a five-speed manual transmission. Six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic options are available with the more potent 81kW engine in Europe – rather than the auto-only 81TSI currently available locally.
However, to justify a higher price and push upmarket, Australian-delivered Fabias could be available with the flagship 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder available overseas, mated with to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto for a 7.9-second 0-100km/h sprint time.
Also helping to justify its price will be new luxury and safety features which, based on flagship variants in Europe, may include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 9.2-inch centre touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, and a seven-speaker sound system.
Available active safety features overseas include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-centring assist, long-range blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and semi-autonomous parking.
Teaser of the new Fabia Monte Carlo were released overnight, showing larger alloy wheels, revised front and rear bumpers, sports seats and pedals, black exterior accents, red interior detailing, and additional luxury features befitting its range-topping status.
The Fabia Monte Carlo in Australia should also gain a sharper sports suspension tune to differentiate it from regular models, as per past variants of the nameplate.
A spokesperson for Skoda Australia couldn’t confirm any official details regarding the new Fabia, telling Drive: “
SKODA Australia is discussing with the factory possible launch variants, so there’ll be news there soon.”It’s also possible Skoda Australia could choose to offer a limited-run Launch Edition model, mirroring similar variants offered at the Scala hatchback and Kamiq small SUV’s launch – however this is still to be confirmed.
The 2022 Skoda Fabia range is due to arrive in Australia in March or April, with further details – including pricing and specifications – to be announced over the coming weeks.
The post 2022 Skoda Fabia certified for Australia with three variants appeared first on Drive.
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