Fourth-gen Skoda Fabia To Break Cover On May 4

• Few features seem to have been borrowed from the Kushaq, including the floating infotainment system and two-spoke steering wheel.

• Legroom and boot space are expected to increase.

• Will be powered by 1.0-litre MPI, 1.0-litre TSI, and 1.5-litre TSI engines.

• Likely to be priced from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom).

Skoda has confirmed it will debut the fourth-generation Fabia on May 4. The carmaker has also offered us a sneak peek of the hatchback’s interior in design sketches, and it seems like a significant overhaul of its predecessor, at least from what we can gather. 

The Fabia is longer and wider by 111mm and 48mm, respectively. Its wheelbase has been extended by 94mm, which should result in a little more rear-seat legroom and boot space. This is thanks to the Fabia utilizing for the first time the Volkswagen Group’s smallest modular platform, the MQB-A0.

The cabin seems to have taken inspiration from the Kushaq. Of course, it has unique design elements like the circular AC vents. But the two-spoke steering wheel, centrally mounted floating infotainment system, and gear lever seem to have been lifted from the made-in-India sub4m SUV. The orange accents around the centre console and front door armrests (see sketch) make for a nice little contrast with the otherwise blacked-out cabin. 

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Skoda has equipped the new-gen five-seater hatch with what the carmaker calls 'Simply Clever’ features, which is a suite of utility additions like a USB-C socket (on the rear-view mirror) to power the dashcam, removable sun shade for the panoramic roof, and a removable cup holder. Passenger safety kit includes up to nine airbags, adaptive cruise control, ISOFIX anchors securing child safety, parking assist, and traffic sign recognition. 

Official images released previously had showcased sharper styling and a redone front fascia, including new LED headlights and tail lights. The hatchback is claimed to have become more aero-efficient, with a drag coefficient of 0.28. Adjustable cooling shutters in the front bumper’s air intake have been claimed to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. 

Powering the new Fabia will be a range of 1.0-litre MPI, 1.0-litre TSI, and 1.5-litre TSI petrol engines. The 1.0-litre engines will be offered in different states of tune. Transmission options inlcude a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG.

The India-spec Fabia, if launched, is likely to be powered by  the 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that’s manufactured here. To know more about how the three petrol engines stack up and their transmission combinations, head here. 

 

Skoda could bring the new Fabia to India and the new Volkswagen Polo around 2023 via the MQB-A0-IN, the localised version of the MQB-A0 platform. The Skoda will take on the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Honda Jazz, and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Prices are likely to range from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 12 lakh(ex-showroom).