Crossing the Blues

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

New Car: 2008 Skoda Fabia Estate/Combi



Skoda will be premiering their second-generation Fabia Estate at September's Frankfurt Motor Show, sporting larger dimensions and an expanded range of engines.

The new Fabia Estate is larger in every respect than its predecessor, generating some extra 54 litres of boot space, while load-lugging ability with the rear seats folded down is up by 235 litres. This increased stowage space combined with a larger interior, storage trays and a plethora of cubby holes all give the new Fabia Estate class-leading stowage, with Skoda claiming it could give equivalent models in the class above a run for their money.

There is now a choice of six petrol and diesel engines, all mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, with the introduction of a 1.6 16V engine, also available with a six-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Production of the present Fabia Estate, having sold some 630,000 units worldwide, will continue until the end of this year. Expect more details following the Fabia's premiere in September.
Press Release:

Škoda is set to unveil the new Fabia Estate at September’s International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

The latest edition to the Czech firm’s line-up is larger in every respect than its predecessor. Škoda’s new load-lugger is 7mm longer and 46mm higher than the model it replaces. Its enhanced dimensions (4,239mm long, 1,642mm wide and 1,498mm tall) not only give the car a more imposing road stance, but also allow for a far larger interior.

Boot capacity has grown by an impressive 54 litres (up to 480 litres). With the rear seats folded flat a total of 1,460 litres stowage space is offered (235 litres more than before). This impressive figure is not only class-leading in its own segment, but even gives similar models from the class above food for thought.

Buyers will have the choice of six engines altogether (three petrol and three diesel). The range starts with the 1.2 12V HTP (70bhp). The 1.4 16V (85bhp) and 1.6 16V (105bhp) are also offered. The diesel line-up consists of the 1.4 TDI PD (70bhp), 1.4 TDI PD (80bhp) and 1.9 TDI PD (105bhp). All of the powerplants are mated to a five-speed manual transmission, but the 1.6 16V version is also available with a six-speed auto (Tiptronic) as an option. Trim designators, as with the Fabia hatchback, will be simply 1, 2 and 3.

Besides its fresh new ‘Škoda family’ design, the latest Fabia Estate also offers a number of clever features deigned to enhance convenience and make the lives of passengers and drivers more comfortable. Key strengths include the impressive boot capacity, the roomy passenger space, an abundance of storage trays, hooks and cubby holes to keep possessions secure and a boot roller cover with automatic quick release - with one touch the cover is retracted making loading and unloading quick and easy.

Škoda has sold over 630,000 first-generation Fabia Estate worldwide (production of this model will continue until the end of this year).