Skoda Fabia 2019 Review - AZH-CARS

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Skoda Fabia 2019 Review

Design and technology update for the Å koda Fabia - four years after the launch of the third generation, the small car has been comprehensively modernised. Inside, a newly designed instrument cluster and new seat upholstery provide fresh visual highlights. Front and rear LED lights as well as 18-inch alloy wheels for the hatchback variant are available for the first time. In addition, Å koda has expanded the range of driver assistance systems and Simply Clever features. There is a choice of three engines with power outputs ranging from 55 kW (75 PS) to 81 kW (110 kW). The 1.0 MPI with 44 kW (60 PS) will be launched later. Both TSI engines are now equipped with petrol particulate filters.

Exterior: New design features for a more distinctive appearance
Striking lines, compact dimensions and a dynamic design language characterise the revised Å koda Fabia. A redesigned radiator grille, alterations to the front and rear bumpers as well as new headlights and tail lights with optional LED technology lend the Å koda Fabia even more character. New alloy wheels ensure a dynamic overall impression.
For Karl Neuhold, Head of Exterior Design at Å koda, the development of the Å koda Fabia's new exterior was both a challenge and an opportunity. "The redesigned Å koda Fabia wows with its elegant, high-quality yet fresh design, making it even more attractive to a younger target group. We have carved out the typical elements of the Å koda design language more clearly, considerably sharpening the Å koda Fabia's profile," said Neuhold.The vehicle front is shaped by the newly designed radiator grille with vertical slats. Clear lines also dominate the design of the lights and the front bumper with integrated fog lights. In typical Å koda style, the new headlights are reminiscent of cut crystal glass and round off the overall impression of high quality.

New lights - LED daytime running lights as standard, LED headlights optional
For the first time, the Å koda Fabia is available with LED headlights as an option. From now on, LED technology is used as standard for the daytime running lights. New LED tail lights are also optional, they emphasise the Å koda-typical C-shape even further. The LED tail lights come as standard in the Å koda Fabia MONTE CARLO variant. A new rear bumper with integrated reflectors lends the rear section a crisper look.
New wheels - alloy wheels ranging from 15 to 18 inches for the first time
Furthermore, Å koda offers newly designed alloy wheels for the Å koda Fabia. They are optional in the Active trim level, from the Style trim level upwards the Å koda Fabia sits on alloy wheels as standard. The Vega rim in polished black is the first ever 18-inch wheel for the Å koda Fabia (only for the hatchback). Customers can choose from a total of six new alloy wheel designs.
Customisation - a wide variety of options available
The Å koda Fabia's body can be individually designed - 15 exterior colours are available; Steel Grey is exclusively available for the Å koda Fabia MONTE CARLO. With the hatchback, the ColourConcept option also offers the opportunity to have the roof, A-pillars, wing mirrors and the optional 16-inch Vigo wheels painted in a contrasting colour (black, white or silver).
Interior: A generous amount of space thanks to sophisticated design
Thanks to new materials and features, the interior of the revised Å koda Fabia has become even more premium. In addition, new Simply Clever details further improve its utility. Despite a length of less than four metres, the Å koda Fabia offers space for five occupants and at least 330 litres of luggage. The Å koda Fabia offers one of the largest boots in its segment which makes it the prefect partner for everyday life and leisure.

More style - new surfaces in the interior
The interior of the Å koda Fabia combines functionality and a premium ambience. New seat covers for the Ambition and Style trim levels as well as for the Å koda Fabia MONTE CARLO create fresh accents. Two-tone upholstery with suitable contrasting stitching on the doors' armrests and on the optional centre armrest provides a dynamic overall impression. In the Style trim level, white or beige stitching on the doors' armrests and on the centre armrest comes as an option; the seats come with a Suedia/fabric cover. Sport seats with decorative red contrasting stitching are also optional extras. New colours and decors shape the redesigned instrument panel; further customisation options are also available, including the Dynamic package (black sports seats with a Suedia/fabric cover and red stitching, multifunction sports steering wheel, pedals in alloy design, a sports chassis, a choice of two decorative trims for the dashboard, a black interior and door panels with red stitching on the armrests).
More comfort - easier operation for more convenience
Å koda has also updated the round instruments on the dashboard; the displays can now be read even more easily. Another feature which comes as standard for the Style trim level and the Å koda Fabia MONTE CARLO is the illumination of the centre console compartment; stored items are now easier to find when it is dark.
Operating the electric windows is also more convenient. After just one long press of the relevant button in the door panel, the corresponding side window automatically opens or closes - the button no longer has to be held down. From now on, this works for all electric windows. Previously, this function was only available for the driver's window. It is also possible to open or close all of the electric windows at the same time by holding the lock or unlock button on the remote-control key.
More room - spacious thanks to clever design
Despite its compact dimensions of 3,997 mm in length and a wheelbase of 2,470 mm, the Å koda Fabia offers a generous amount of space for up to five people. The hatchback version offers one of the largest boots in the small car segment. The capacity of 330 l can be increased to up to 1,150 l by folding down the 60:40 rear seats. The 4,262-millimetre-long Å koda Fabia Combi offers the largest boot in its segment and has a loading capacity ranging from 530 to a maximum of 1,395 l.
More utility - new Simply Clever features
In typical Å koda style, the updated Å koda Fabia also impresses with new Simply Clever features that make everyday life easier. One new feature is a double-sided boot liner: either its textured side or the other, easier-to-clean side can be used as needed. The Å koda Fabia also offers a tablet holder and two USB ports in the rear for charging smartphones or other devices. The Å koda Fabia Combi now has a removable LED torch in the boot, which is automatically charged whilst driving. The torch is fitted with magnets. As a result, this can, for example, be fitted easily to the vehicle body.

Engines: Efficient and nippy petrol engines meet the strictest emission standards
There is a choice of three 1.0-litre three-cylinder engines for the Å koda Fabia which are both efficient and agile. Power output ranges from 55 kW (75 PS) to 81 kW (110 PS); the most powerful engine is also available with an automatic 7-speed DSG as an option. The 1.0 MPI with 44 kW (60 PS) will be launched later. Both TSI engines are now equipped with petrol particulate filters.
For the Å koda Fabia's engine portfolio, the Czech car manufacturer is consistently backing nippy and efficient petrol engines. All engines have three cylinders and a 1.0-litre capacity. They differ mainly in their injection technology and forced induction. Å koda has made significant technical changes to the engines. From now on, all engines have a second catalytic converter and a redesigned engine management system.
MPI engine - significant technical changes
The fuel injection nozzles ensure now more effective fuel atomisation. Changes have been made to the oxygen sensor for a better fuel-air ratio. With indirect injection the engine produces a power output of 55 kW (75 PS). The combined fuel consumption and emissions of the 1.0 MPI with 55 kW are 4.8 l per 100 km (110 g CO2/km).
TSI engines - turbocharger and petrol particulate filter
With the TSI engines, fuel is injected directly at a higher pressure. In addition to the exhaust system including the turbocharger, the oil and cooling systems were also altered, and the engines were made more heat resistant by using new materials. The engine electronics have been adjusted, and a petrol particulate filter is now in use. This filter reduces the emission of particulate matter. Furthermore, the engine sensors for the management and diagnosis of the particulate matter filtration system have been improved. The TSI engines produce 70 kW (95 PS) and 81 kW (110 PS) respectively. The combined fuel consumption and emissions of the Å koda Fabia Combi with 1.0 TSI with 70 kW are 4.5 l per 100 km (103 g CO2/km). The combined fuel consumption and emissions of the 1.0 TSI with 81 kW and 6-speed manual gearbox are 4.6 l per 100 km (105 g CO2/km).
Transmissions - 7-speed DSG optional for the most powerful TSI engine
A 5-speed manual gearbox transmitting the engine power to the front wheels is standard in the Å koda Fabia. The most powerful 1.0 TSI engine with 81 kW (110 PS) comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard and is optionally also available with a 7-speed DSG. With direct-shift transmission, gears can be changed both manually and automatically.
Safety: New assistance systems and LED lights
With a wide range of assistance systems, the revised Å koda Fabia provides an excellent level of safety and offers small-car-segment customers features which have previously been reserved for higher vehicle segments. The range for the Å koda Fabia now includes Blind Spot Detect, Rear Traffic Alert 'low' and Auto Light Assist. For the first time, LED headlights are also available as an option.
The Å koda Fabia comes with a comprehensive range of passive and active safety equipment as standard. In addition to the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), the Å koda Fabia also features Engine Braking Control (EBC), ASR traction control, hydraulic brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, Multi-Collision Brake, XDS electronic differential lock and tyre pressure monitoring. Six airbags protect the occupants, two child seats can be fixed quickly and easily using the Isofix anchors.
Assistance systems - extended range of features from higher vehicle segments
The range of safety equipment can be expanded with the optional Adaptive Cruise Control, a rear-view camera, parking sensors, Front Assist with integrated City Emergency Brake function, fatigue detection (Driver Alert), Light and Rain Assist, Speedlimiter and Hill-Hold Control. Another three assistance systems - Blind Spot Detect, Rear Traffic Alert 'low' and Auto Light Assist - are now available in the Å koda Fabia for the first time.
Blind Spot Detect
The optional Blind Spot Detect increases safety when driving on multi-lane roads and when overtaking. A radar system monitors the traffic behind and next to the vehicle and warns the driver using LEDs in the wing mirrors when vehicles are in the blind spot or approaching rapidly from behind.
Rear Traffic Alert 'low'
Using radar sensors at the rear, the Å koda Fabia's Rear Traffic Alert 'low' monitors the traffic behind the vehicle, e.g. when the driver reverses out of a parking space or a drive. An acoustic alarm and a visual signal on the vehicle's display warn the driver of potential collisions.
Auto Light Assist
Auto Light Assist decreases the risk of dazzling other road users with the high beam. When the front camera detects oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead, the system automatically switches from high beam to dipped beam. Auto Light Assist is available for both the optional LED headlights and the H7 lights.
Headlights - LED technology for the first time
LED headlights are newly available as an option for the Å koda Fabia. In addition, the LED headlights come with a new cornering function: whilst cars with halogen lights illuminate corners using the fog lights, this function uses LEDs which are directly integrated in the headlights.

The new LED headlights are significantly brighter yet use less energy and have a longer lifespan. One LED is used for dipped beam and high beam, whilst a second one is used for illuminating corners. Four other LEDs are used for daytime running lights and parking lights. The dipped beam of the new system emits 66% more light than the previous top-of-the-range version. This means the LED headlights clearly outperform the currently brightest headlights.
In parts, these values are already surpassed by the halogen headlights which come as standard. Fitted with an H7 lamp each for dipped beam and high beam and brighter daytime running lights consisting of 4 LEDs, the dipped beam produces 39% more light than the previous basic version.
Tail lights - also available with LED technology
The tail lights are also optionally available with LED technology - in the Å koda Fabia MONTE CARLO they even come as standard. Six brake light LEDs shine brighter and without delay, providing improved safety. Two further LEDs in the tail lights form the sharply cut, brand-typical 'C'. The two LED units sit behind special, sand-blasted glass which makes the illuminated surface appear larger. The tail light design also exhibits the Å koda-typical crystalline effect. The LED technology enhances active safety and offers a longer lifespan. The fog lights are no longer part of the tail lights, but now positioned below them. The reversing light and indicators use classic bulbs, whilst the fog lights use halogen bulbs.
Infotainment and connectivity: Perfectly connected
For a modern, young target group, there is little that dominates their daily lives today as much as digitalisation and connectivity. The revised Å koda Fabia's infotainment offering is always kept up to date with new Å koda Connect services. The Swing Plus infotainment system is available in the Å koda Fabia for the first time. Just like the Swing radio and the top model, Amundsen, it is operated via a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen and can be paired with mobile devices.
Infotainment - 6.5-inch screens and plenty of connectivity options
There is a choice of four audio and infotainment systems for the revised Å koda Fabia. Even the basic audio system, Blues, offers USB and SD card interfaces, whilst the Swing, Swing Plus and Amundsen infotainment systems can be operated via a 6.5-inch touchscreen. External devices can be connected via Bluetooth and USB. The Swing Plus and the Amundsen infotainment systems also support SmartLink+ technology (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink™ and SmartGate). This enables the use of smartphone apps on the infotainment system's display. The Amundsen model features a second Bluetooth interface and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upon request, it also benefits from Infotainment Online and can be operated using voice control. In combination with the Swing, Swing Plus and Amundsen models, DAB radio, rear-view camera and two USB ports for the rear seats are available as options.

Using digital content is particularly easy with the Amundsen infotainment system in combination with Å koda Media Command 2.0. The free Å koda app enables the operation of the infotainment system functions on up to two tablets that are connected via Wi-Fi. With the new parental control function, parents can control what their children watch in the rear. Paired devices can also be used as a remote control, e.g. for adjusting the volume. In addition, navigation destinations can be sent to the navigation system.
Best-in-segment connectivity - Å koda Connect
Mobility is more than just a journey from A to B. This is why Å koda Connect offers a continuously growing range of services for the Å koda Fabia which make automotive life easier and safer. The Å koda Connect mobile online services consist of Infotainment Online and Care Connect as well as the Emergency Call.

Via Infotainment Online, the Amundsen infotainment system receives online traffic information in real time, weather reports, petrol prices and information about available parking spaces. The Care Connect services include the Proactive Service function as well as remote vehicle access. If necessary, Proactive Service establishes a connection to customer care or a garage. Here, queries are answered, or vehicle service appointments made. In addition, following a one-off registration, the vehicle can be accessed remotely via the Å koda Connect web portal or the Å koda Connect app (including smartwatches). Information that can be accessed includes the vehicle's location, the fuel level and whether the windows are closed. The Emergency Call can be made manually; however, it will automatically call for assistance when the restraint systems have been deployed.