9 February 2011
New car report; Simple but perfectly clever.
At a recent press event in Auckland, Skoda unveiled facelifts and upgrades for no fewer than five different models, but it was the upgrades to their entry level model, the Fabia that grabbed out attention the most.
Not for its radical new styling, which in all honesty would be a gross exaggeration, but for how the little Fabia impresses from the driver’s seat, thanks largely to the installation of one of the best power trains around, Volkswagen Group’s brilliant turbocharged 1.2 litre 77kW TSI petrol engine mated to the equally impressive 7 speed DSG transmission.
Skoda’s tag-line of “Simply Clever” is no more apt for any of the range than it is for the Fabia.
Visual upgrades are kept to a minimum, but with revised frontal treatment and an attractive 2-tone interior, the re-styling freshens up the look to go with the new technical upgrades, which also includes a larger new brake booster which provides a high degree of stopping confidence.
The EU5 compliant 77kW engine produces 175Nm of torque, providing lively performance and emitting just 124 g/km of CO2 from the 1,164kg hatchback which is capable of combined cycle fuel consumption of just 5.3L/100km, or over 53mpg in the old money.
And for a small car, it doesn’t lack for luggage space, with up to 1,163 litres of space available with the rear seat folded down.
Standard safety features include six airbags and Electronic Stability Control, with Isofix child seat anchors in the rear, a tyre pressure warning system, traction control and hill assist all being part of the standard package.
Interior equipment includes a leather steering wheel with audio controls, climate control air conditioning, a chilled glovebox, and a 4 speaker audio system with auxiliary input for MP3 devices and a single disc CD player.
At $28,000, the Fabia TSI 77kW hatch is a very pleasant surprise. It offers everything a modern day hatch should. It’s comfortable, lively, quiet, nimble and practical and on the road it’s well planted and predictable. At this price there’s nothing much else that offers this much advanced technology and such a rewarding drive.
Skoda plans to increase New Zealand presence.
Definitely a brand on the move, Skoda New Zealand General Manager James Yates says he has aggressive plans to expand his after-sales network in the near future, with the number of parts and service outlets due to more than double in the coming months.
The new dealers will have a lot to live up to, as in a recent MTA dealer satisfaction survey, New Zealand Skoda customers rated Skoda dealers 2nd only to Audi dealers by a mere 0.1% in their overall customer satisfaction index.
The expanded network will see Skoda service outlets in Kaitaia, Taupo, Gisborne, Wanganui, Masterton, Blenheim, West Coast of South Island, Timaru and Invercargill
Passionate about customer satisfaction and a transparent Total Cost of Ownership, Yates has launched is a full summary of Skoda TCO, available for all to see on Skoda’s website, as well as offering customers the opportunity to purchase a 4 or 6 year service schedule.
And another feather in his cap is winning a contract as a preferred supplier to Central Government, with the Ministry of Justice, Department of Conservation, Housing New Zealand and Te Puni K?kiri (Ministry of Maori Development) already having taken delivery of a number of Skoda vehicles.
Also offered in the Fabia range is a $32,000 66kW diesel version, as well as Combi (wagon) versions and the soon to be released 1.4 litre 132kW vRS priced at $37,000.