What's the news?
Skoda is taking a revised and updated version of its Fabia supermini to the Geneva Motor Show in March. The B-segment Czech challenger features new looks, a refined interior, additional safety assist technology and LED lights. Market launch of the facelifted Skoda Fabia will be during the second half of 2018.
Exterior
The shape of the headlights and front fog lights has been altered on the facelifted Fabia, with LED illumination fore and aft now offered on the supermini for the first time. More alloy wheel designs are added to the roster, including a set of 18-inch items for the hatchback model.
Interior
Visually, items to spot inside include a redesigned instrument cluster, new trim strips for the dashboard and extra two-tone finishes for the seating upholstery, but perhaps the biggest news for the Fabia's cabin comes in terms of additional equipment.
Blind Spot Detection and Rear Traffic Alert systems are now part of the Skoda's technical package, while Light Assist switches between dipped and main beam automatically. The 'Swing' level of infotainment offers a larger 6.5-inch display and allows connection to the full range of mobile online services as part of Skoda Connect, while 'Amundsen' navigation-equipped models have Online Traffic Information service with real-time information on hold-ups and delays. SmartLink+ further provides users the option of operating the onboard screen via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink or SmartGate software.
And Skoda's 'Simply Clever' interior touches have been enhanced on the Fabia hatchback and Combi estate models, too. The ice scraper (which the pre-facelift Fabia Mk3 already possessed) that's concealed in the fuel filler cap now also has a gauge for measuring tyre-tread depth. USB ports for rear-seat passengers can be specified, while customers can opt for a double-sided boot mat if required - and a side compartment in the Combi's cargo bay features a portable LED torch.
Mechanicals
Interesting news here, as Skoda is abandoning diesel for the revised Fabia line-up - not terrible news here in Ireland, as while we prefer the black fuel in general on bigger cars, most superminis are specified with small petrol engines. And small the Skoda's engines are: all four petrol options are 1.0-litre, three-cylinder units. Choose an MPI variant and there's no turbocharger, with outputs of 60- or 75hp offered. Go for a TSI, and both turbocharging and direct petrol injection are added (as is a particulate filter), with power rated at 95- or 110hp. That final TSI comes with the option of a seven-speed DSG auto, should you want it - and Skoda claims all of its MPI and TSI motors are 'on a par' with diesels for frugality.
Anything else?
The updated, Geneva-bound Fabia Mk3 is an important car for Skoda, as more than four million units of this model have been sold worldwide since it was first introduced in 1999 - and the current third-gen car, which arrived in 2014, has already shifted more than 500,000 units.