• Fabia
      • Fabia Hatch
        Fabia Hatch
        Model page Car configurator
        Featuring the very latest in Volkswagen Group technological and safety advancements
        • SmartLink to sync your car and smartphone
        • Rear View Camera
        • Front Assist with City Emergency Brake

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figure as per ADR 81/02 for 66TSI manual.

        • luggage305l /1125l
        • fuel4.8l/100km
      • Fabia Wagon
        Fabia Wagon
        Model page Car configurator
        Featuring the very latest in Volkswagen Group technological and safety advancements
        • SmartLink to sync your car and smartphone

        • Rear View Camera

        • Green Tech for improved fuel economy

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figures as per ADR 81/02 for 66TSI manual.

        • luggage505l /1370l
        • fuel4.8l/100km
  • Rapid
      • Rapid
        Rapid
        Model page Car configurator
        ŠKODA’s versatile compact car
        • Sporty freshness and dynamic elegance
        • A spacious, attractive interior with stylish three-spoke steering wheel
        • 17” Black Alloys and LED daytime running lights (part of Image Pack)​​

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figures as per ADR 81/02 for 1.4L 92kw DSG

        • luggage384l /1349l
        • fuel4.9l/100km
      • Rapid Monte Carlo
        Rapid Monte Carlo
        Model page Car configurator
        Exciting stylish urban dweller with compact body

        • Black designed elements, panoramic roof and tailgate with extended glazing

        • 17" alloy wheels in a glossy black design

        • Sports seats in a black/red combination, 3-spoke sport steering wheel

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figures as per ADR 81/02 for 1.4L 92kw DSG

        • luggage384l /1349l
        • fuel4.9l/100km
  • Octavia
      • Octavia
        Octavia
        Model page Car configurator
        A high performance family car in a class of its own
        • A powerful and fuel efficient engine​
        • ​Innovative comfort features and 5 star ANCAP safety rating
        • Adaptive Cruise Control now standard across the entire Octavia range

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figure as per ADR 81/02 for 110TDI DSG

        • luggage568l /1558l
        • fuel4.7l/100km
      • Octavia RS
        Octavia RS
        Model page Car configurator
        Turbocharge your family drive
        • Powerful 162TSI or 135TDI turbocharged engines ​​​
        • Advanced safety features including 9 airbags as standard
        • Impressive 8" touchscreen satellite navigation

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figure as per ADR 81/02 for 135TDI DSG

        • luggage568l /1558l
        • fuel4.8l/100km
      • Octavia Scout 4x4
        Octavia Scout 4x4
        Model page Car configurator
        Practicality of a family vehicle, with the appeal of an SUV
        • All-wheel drive technology adjusts to changing road conditions
        • Choice of powerful and fuel efficient diesel and petrol engine​s with Green Tech (Stop Start and Brake Energy Recuperation)

        • Uncompromising commitment to safety


          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figure as per ADR 81/02 for 110TDI DSG

        • luggage588l /1718l
        • fuel4.9l/100km
      • Octavia Wagon
        Octavia Wagon
        Model page Car configurator
        Not your everyday family wagon
        • More powerful, more fuel efficient engine
        • Innovative comfort and 5 star ANCAP safety rating
        • Adaptive Cruise Control now standard across the entire Octavia range

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figure as per ADR 81/02 for 110TDI DSG

        • luggage588l /1718l
        • fuel4.7l/100km
      • Octavia RS Wagon
        Octavia RS Wagon
        Model page Car configurator
        Turbocharge your family drive
        • Powerful 162TSI or 135TDI turbocharged engine ​​​
        • Advanced safety features including 9 airbags as standard 
        • Impressive 8" touchscreen satellite navigation 

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figure as per ADR 81/02 for 135TDI DSG

        • luggage588l /1718l
        • fuel4.9l/100km
  • Yeti
      • Yeti
        Yeti
        Model page Car configurator
        Put more in, get more out
        • Features a ​stylish and elegant design
        • VarioFlex rear seat system
        • Uncompromising commitment to safety​​

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figures as per ADR 81/02 for 1.2TSI 81​kw manual 4x2 / Max. luggage space is with the rear seats removed​​​.

        • luggage321l /1665l
        • fuel5.6l/100km
      • Yeti Outdoor
        Yeti Outdoor
        Model page Car configurator
        Introducing the great outdoors
        • Features a new stylish and elegant design
        • VarioFlex rear seat system
        • Uncompromising commitment to safety​

          Disclaimer: Fuel consumption figure shown is a combined figure as per ADR 81/02 for 2.0 TDI DSG 103kw 4x4 / Max. luggage space is with the rear seats removed​

        • luggage321l /1665l
        • fuel6.5l/100km
  • New Superb
      • New Superb Sedan
        New Superb Sedan
        Model page Car configurator
        Some see a badge, where others see Superb

        • 162TSI, 140TDI and 206STI engine variants

        • Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist

        • Impressive boot space: 625L
        • luggage625l /1670l
        • fuel4.8l/100km
      • New Superb Wagon
        New Superb Wagon
        Model page Car configurator
        Some see a badge, where others see Superb
        • 162TSI, 140TDI and 206STI engine variants
        • Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist
        • Impressive boot space: 660L
        • luggage660l /1835l
        • fuel4.8l/100km
Drive 2015 ŠKODA Fabia first drive review

Drive: 2015 ŠKODA Fabia Review

8/07/2015
Reviewed by: Andrew MacLean
Smart-looking city car also introduces smartphone tech to Aussie roads
There is plenty to suggest that younger generations are more interested in the latest smartphones than new cars.

ŠKODA hoping to change that with its second-generation Fabia city car, which arrives in showrooms this month as one of the first vehicles available with a fully integrated mobile phone interface that mimics the functions available on Apple iPhones and Android devices.

The fresh-faced five-door is available in two body styles - a regular hatch and extended wagon - and across two model grades, starting at $15,990 driveaway (which ŠKODA has promised will remain in place until the end of the year) for the entry-level 66TSI with the top-level 81TSI commanding a substantial premium with a sticker price of $20,290 driveaway. The wagon body style adds $1150 to either specification.

Both use the same mechanical and structural underpinnings from the Volkswagen Polo and are powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol four cylinder, but are defined by different power outputs and transmissions. As the nomenclature suggests, the base model produces 66kW, and 160Nm of torque, with power sent to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox while the range-topper generates 81kW and 175Nm and is exclusively available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Both variants feature a decent spread of equipment, including six airbags and automated city braking as standard as well as air conditioning, a tyre pressure monitor and a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, six-speaker audio and ŠKODA's Smartlink system that integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the interface.

So, while there are plenty of interesting elements to assess in the way the all-new Fabia handles the city streets, our preview drive this week on a mix of urban and rural roads south of Sydney gave us the first opportunity to drive Apple's CarPlay. And it's so brilliantly effective and easy to use that it will not only make the Fabia more attractive to younger buyers but, for everyone, virtually eliminates the temptation - and risk - of checking your phone while on the move.

First of all, to access its functions there is no need to connect via Bluetooth first; simply plug your phone in via the USB connection and it instantly picks up your details, including phone contacts, sms messages, podcasts, music playlists and directly links to accounts for streaming music apps such as Spotify and TuneIn radio. Once in play, it uses Siri voice recognition to easily access and call contacts and request destinations and directions using Google Maps and can read back and dictate text messages.

That it is standard in even the cheapest Fabia makes it an appealing choice for first car buyers. It also helps that the rest of the package is just as enticing led by its geometric styling, which looks simple and yet classy and is only enhanced by the optional Colour Pack that brings a two-tone paint job. It is a much more convincing design than its awkward-looking predecessor. There's a similar degree of understated flair in the cabin too, with funky fabrics on the seats and a colour-matched dash panel adding some style to the otherwise austere ambience generated by the hard plastics and simple instrumentation. From a pragmatic perspective, the Fabia offers decent small item storage - including clever items such as a removable phone holder in one of the cupholders and a flip-top rubbish bag holder in the door pocket - as well as a decent driving position with good adjustment and clear vision through the expansive glasshouse.

Front seat occupants are well catered for in terms of headroom, but legroom is limited in the rear and best suited to small children or occasional short trips for adults. The 305L boot in the hatch (which expands to an SUV-rivalling 505L in the wagon) is huge by city car standards.

On the road, the 1.2-litre turbo four cylinder feels spritely in either specification, producing plenty of low-rev urgency to tackle the demands of the urban jungle. The 81TSI's extra pep is really only accessed when driven enthusiastically, as the variance in power outlets is barely perceptible in everyday circumstances, and both engines returned close to the claimed fuel consumption during our brief taste test.

How you access the power is different as the 66TSI's five-speed manual is light and easy to use but requires more engagement than the 81TSI's self-shifting dual-clutch automatic, which displayed some hesitation in getting away from the lights and quickly shifts through to the taller gears to save fuel but also downchanged early when heading downhill to use the engine braking to maintain a constant speed.

As for how it rides, the suspension settings are fairly firm which ensures it sits flat and poised through the bends but also makes it busy over bumpy roads. The steering is well-weighted and accurate with good on-centre feel and the brakes have good modulation through the pedal. Road noise was intrusive only on the harshest surfaces, but was well supressed in both hatch and wagon body styles around town.

Like the Polo with which is shares its DNA, the Fabia is a well-rounded city car that ticks plenty of boxes thanks to its surefooted driving character, up-to-the-minute safety equipment and understated style. But, until its rivals catch up, that it has Smartlink with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could be its most attractive element for younger buyers.

Nuts and Bolts
ŠKODA Fabia
On-sale: July 2015
Price: $15,990 (66TSI) / $20,290 (81TSI)
Engine: 1.2-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol
Power: 66kW at 4400-5400rpm / 81kW at 4600-5600rpm
Torque: 160Nm at 1400rpm / 175Nm at 1400rpm
Transmission: 5-spd manual / 7-spd dual-clutch automatic, FWD
Consumption: 4.8L/100km

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