The new Skoda Fabia breathes the digital age | the cars

At 4.11 meters, the new Fabia beats all previous generations. It results in a more spacious interior, especially in the back seat. The previous Fabia already had the largest luggage compartment in its class, but now it’s even bigger. Its capacity is 380 liters, which is 50 liters more than before. If you fold the back seat, you even get 1,190 liters of storage space. But in the first photos this does not seem to create a flat loading floor, which makes it even more clumsy.

With a Cw value of 0.28 the car is well streamlined, which makes it more economical. For example, the air vent at the bottom of the bumper can be closed automatically when the cooling is lower. According to Skoda, this consumption can be reduced by 0.2 liters per 100 kilometers.

The digital age is clearly inside. Skoda talks about a “floating” center touch screen (with a maximum of 9.2 inches) for infotainment. The virtual cockpit, popular from the Volkswagen Group, is now also available on the Fabia. If needed, the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster displays navigation maps directly in front of the driver and contains a screen selection menu. For example, the speedometer is central to “sports”. Virtual Cockpit can also display information about the artists you hear or the logos of the radio stations. And when one of the contacts calls, the photo of the caller will be visible on the HD screen.

The automatic climate control system now has two climate zones and additional ventilation holes in the rear. Other new options include LED mood lighting, heated steering wheel and windscreen heating. Traditionally, Skoda prides itself on some smart solutions on the inside. For example, the passenger seat backrest can be folded down and the panoramic roof canopy removed.

A flexible, removable storage compartment is included under the luggage compartment cover, which is useful for jackets, for example. Rear passengers can store smartphones in compartments integrated into the back of the front seats. The driver can also operate the reading lamp located at the back and for the first time Skoda has a removable cup holder.

Thanks to its SIM card, the new Fabia is always connected to the Internet and provides access to Internet radio and other online services, among other things. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is available on board and smartphones can be charged wirelessly using the optional phone box. Many of the vehicle’s functions can be controlled remotely via the companion app and its webpage.

Navigation maps can be stored on a hard disk that is updated via the Internet. The new Fabia has two USB-C connectors on board as standard. Optionally, this can be expanded to five connections, one of which – very special – is built into the rearview mirror. With this you can easily connect the dashcam.

In Travel Assist, adaptive cruise control and lane monitoring work together to automatically maintain your distance at speeds of up to 210 km / h. Blind Spot Monitor now warns vehicles over a distance of up to 70 meters. When parking automatically, the park assist system performs the correct steering movements to maneuver parallel to or perpendicular to the lane. The maneuvering assist (equipped with ultrasonic sensors) detects any obstacles when parking the vehicle and can automatically apply the braking accordingly. Also new is traffic signal recognition and an automatic emergency braking system that recognizes pedestrians and cyclists.

The new Fabia is available with a choice of two petrol engines. The power of the 1.0 TSI direct injection engines is 70 kW / 95 PS or 81 kW / 110 PS, respectively. The lighter engine has a five-speed manual, while the more powerful engine has a six-speed or seven-speed automatic transmission.

Skoda Fabia has been around since 1999. 4.5 million Fabia sold so far. Nothing is known yet about the prices of the new generation.