About half a year ago, I stood next to this facelifted Skoda Fabia,
on the Geneva Motorshow, about which I said the following:
On Skoda's stand, we've got the facelifted Skoda Fabia.
Even though it doesn't immediately show, there are a few new things.
New dials, a new infotainment system, new safety systems,
and then there are the exterior changes, because there are a few.
We've got new bumpers, new headlights... I'll admit, it becomes more apparent when you're next to it,
but there's also news on a place you might not expect. You all know the ice scratcher which Skoda always hides...
behind the fuel filler cap. It's still there, but it now has a tire profile-depth meter.
I haven't got the slightest clue how you should use it, but when I'm driving it for the first time,
I'm going to find out for sure. So, as promised, I found it out.
I almost got a restraining order from the Skoda PR-guy, but anyway. How do I use this to measure the depth?
Well, you don't, because the Skoda is getting that scratcher/depth meter,
only not for another month, so this can't measure profile depth yet.
The only downside to this, except for the fact you can't measure with that thing,
is now that you've seen the little part on the Motor Show, you already know the news from this Fabia.
Mechanically speaking, nothing changes on the facelifted Fabia.
The 1.2-litre TSI had already been replaced by the 1.0-litre TSI, and for now that's the only engine available.
Or rather, there are three 3-cylinder engines available.
There's one without a turbo, but that's mostly for the entry price in the blurb,
because it's a very light engine for the Fabia. Next to that,
we've got two versions of the 1.0-litre TSI, with a turbo.
There's a 95 horsepower version and a 110 horsepower version.
As standard, the 110 horsepower version will get a 6-speed manual...
or a 7-speed DSG. This 95 horsepower version only gets a 5-speed manual.
It's a decent engine. Not quick, but it produces 160 Nm of torque...
over a very big range, so the engine doesn't feel stressed.
It's a pass. Moderate performance, but in the Netherlands,
it will get you where you need to be. Also, the engine has been insulated very well,
so you won't hear it. It also doesn't shake about like most other 3-cylinders.
It's a decent drivetrain. The same goes for its manual 5-speed.
It's a typical Volkswagen-product, so it feels very light.
It's clear enough though, so you won't 'miss' a gear,
you won't get stuck between third and fifth.
It's no mechanical shifting pleasure, not a Honda-gearbox,
but it's not bad at all. The whole middle-of-the-road-idea also applies to the chassis.
Nothing changes there either. It never was exciting and it will never be exciting.
It's nice and comfortable however, and it's able to process all kinds of surfaces.
We're driving in the Czech Republic right now, and it's shifting between very wet like it is here,
and a very nice impression of the moon surface. Lots of craters and potholes and such.
It all processes those without a problem, it all feels very normal.
It's nice to know where the grip is, that you get some information,
but it's not like you get an overload of information, or that you're bouncing around in the car.
It's all not very exciting, but it's good nonetheless.
You won't leave it for its chassis, but you won't buy it for its chassis either.
So why should you buy the Fabia? Well, for starters the Fabia is pretty spacious for a B-segment car.
Sure, it's a compact car which isn't even four metres long, but if I get behind my 1,80 m-self,
I've got just enough legroom and headroom, so you can carry four adults in it.
Also, you've got 330 litres of luggage space, which is above average in the B-segment.
Then there's the fact it isn't even that expensive. For €20.000, you've got a nicely equipped Fabia...
with all kinds of safety systems, LED-lights, nice alloys, a nice color, satnav...
Not too expensive for the B-segment in 2018, and then there are Skoda's 'Simply Clever'-preparations.
The boot has a double sided floor mat. One side is smooth and the other is non-slip material.
That way, things won't fall over. There's a leather belt which also helps things not falling over.
Of course, there's the telephone holder which fits your phone and some coins,
a small trash can for crash, an umbrella which is beneath the passenger seat in the Fabia,
and of course, the ice scratcher behind the fuel filler cap.
After hearing this, I imagine you guys are running for the Skoda-dealer,
but no. Just wait another month,
because you'll get the ice scratcher with the profile depth meter. And you want that.