Skoda Fabia - Finally Here!
January 11, 2008 – 4:48 am by Ashish Jha
At one end of the spectrum is the Tata Nano – an ultra small car which can be had at the lowest price one could ever think of, for a car, and at the end of the spectrum is the Skoda Fabia – a premium hatchback, the price of which was quite an eye opener to many visiting the Skoda stall.
Skoda, you must understand, has been associated with luxury cars which have presented themselves as very good VFM options. Octavia has always been the element of trouble for other D-segment cars like Optra, Civic, Corolla and the Cedia. The Laura then continued the trend and took the fight to the likes of Accord.
The ‘Super Hatch’ as the Czech major likes to call it, the Fabia is an attractive looking car but not as revolutionary as thought by many. In profile it looks rather similar to the Maruti Swift. Skoda just managed to squeeze it under the 4.0m regulation for length and the Fabia is now 3992mm long while being 1642mm wide and the stands 1513mm tall.
Prominent biggies of Skoda were present and Thomas Kuehl, Board of Directors (Sales & Marketing) addressed the media by saying “The Fabia you see here is the same new Fabia which was launched in Geneva in March 2007. We have brought this model at the shortest available opportunity in India. The overwhelming enthusiastic response to the new Fabia worldwide continues to reaffirm the iconic place our products have in out customers’ hearts. New Fabia is much more than a car; it symbolizes people spirit and their over 110 year old obsession with the automobile.”
Powering the Fabia will be a 1.4L TDI PD diesel engine and a 1.4L MPI petrol motor. The diesel will churn out 70PS of power and will offer a sea of turning force rated at 155Nm. The petrol should not be a slouch either with 86PS being available when you stomp on the accelerator. The torque rating stands at 132Nm which should aid drivability. A smaller, 1.2L petrol engine with 70PS on tap (108Nm torque) will be offered later in 2008.
Available in eight variants, Skoda has tried hard to fit as many pockets as possible. The prices start from 4.99lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) and the top end will be available for 7.68lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra). The company is also in the process of increasing the dealer/service network to 65 by the end of 2008.
As far as the looks are concerned, the Fabia is what the Octavia is – understated and elegant. The only striking feature is the large grille garnished with lavish amount of chrome which also houses the Skoda badge. The vertical fins lend an aggressive appeal to the front end. The almond-shaped projector headlamps lend a subtle style statement as do the crease lines on the bonnet.
Interior is as equipped as can be expected from Skoda. Remote keyless entry, multi function information display, power windows, electrically adjustable ORVMs, MP3 audio system, sunroof, climate-control, parking sensors, cubby holes – it is all there. To enhance the safety aspect, Skoda is offering ABS, MSR and Dual Rate Brake Assist mechanism and dual front airbags.
Expect a cracking VFM offering from Skoda which is all set to make life difficult for the best-selling Swift. It remains to be seen though as to how will the Fabia fair when it comes to maintenance, which the other Skoda models are infamous for. But for sheer appeal, nothing comes close to beating this at its game. I will let the pictures talk for themselves for now with the promise of bringing you an elaborate drive report of this car soon. Watch this space!
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15 Responses to “Skoda Fabia - Finally Here!”
respected sir ,it is to bring in ur concentration yhat our company worked for the permotion as well as launching of the prducts.so if u are intrested to have our services please contact us @following numers 84-4032997,
By mamta on Jan 11, 2008
I like to buy Skoda Fabia in mid year 2008. At Chd, whwn it will be available and at what price tag.
By Seema on Jan 11, 2008
fabia is the bst car in the world
By sagar on Jan 11, 2008
kindly get me the price of fabia diesel variant also when it is available
By karanbir singh on Jan 12, 2008
Fabia is a great hatch back. am looking for the dirsel option. how much will it cost??
By Manish Bajaj on Jan 12, 2008
More costly than expectation. On road price for 1200cc should be around 5 lacs not more than that then only it will be a big hit.Must be launched @ earliest as price factor does matter compare to others. Wishes for SKODA.
By Sopan Sonawane on Jan 13, 2008
wanna know more about fabia all models and availability
By gitansh pandey on Jan 16, 2008
which colour enhances fabias looks the most?plz let me know asap.i narrowed down on black,but tough to maintain.how about tangrine orange?plz let me know.
By garima varmani on May 19, 2008
we very good car
By Mehul on May 31, 2008
I’ve booked Skoda-Fabia Petrol (Classic version) in May and now told by dealer that delivery will be only by Aug-08. All deliveries across India for Fabia petrol are on HOLD by Skoda. It seems that critical problems with breaking system are found. Can any1 know more abt it. ?
By Shr on Jun 24, 2008
oh and so is the ford fiesta 1.6 S is here!!heard it is really cool…my brother in law just bought it for my sister..very cool rear spoiler!do check it out..
By pravin on Jun 24, 2008
hii..!!
ppl
can any one tell me is it worth buying Skoda-Fabia Petrol .bec as per the market there is some problem in car.. ??? can any one tell me how is Skoda-Fabia Petrol. i am thinking to buy it.. plz mail me the details of it.
Thanks & Regards
Mustafa
By Mustafa on Jun 28, 2008
can i have the prise of veh and tech specification please.
By amit on Jul 8, 2008
Skoda has recently launched its new hatch back Fabia in the month of Jan, 2008 in india, the vehicle is having major braking problems in all its petrol versions. Recently few cars have been replaced by SAIPL on accidental grounds for braking problems. The problem sounds very peculiar, the vehicle braking system fails when it is within a speed of 0-40kmph at times.
By GAURAV GOENKA on Jul 9, 2008
Dear THE DIRCOR’S OF SKODA’S
Mr. Thomas Kuehl,ŠkodaIndia,
Mr.Reinhard Jung,
Mr. Fred Kappler,
Mr. Horst Muehl,
Mr. Eckhard Scholz,
Dipl.-Ing. Reinhard Jung,
Klaus Dierkes,
Dipl. Ökonom Fred Kappler,
Dipl.-Ing. Holger Kintscher,
Horst Mühl,
Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Scholz
I regret with disappointment having to write this mail to you. I have been a faithful customer of SKODA since the past five years.
In the last five years I have purchased and used four SKODA cars and recently was in the process of buying the Top of the Shelf model Laura. Incidentally this would have been the third Laura car and the 4th SKODA car in this short period.
However recent experience with your dealer here at Jodhpur has left me with no choice but to forget SKODA for ever.
I am taking a very serious view at my end regarding the entire situation created by SKODA INDIA through your dealer in Jodhpur. His behaviour is very arrogant/unethical and malefic while dealing with me and other customers.
1. I purchased Laura on 10.08.2008 vide bill number JLPL0054
2. I deposited advance for the Fabia for my daughter by Cheque. (Details enclosed)
Paid By Ram Aart - 02.09.08 196885.00
Paid By Swati Potalia - 23.10.08 200000.00
CN . 849580 KBL
CN. 849582 KBL - 19.12.08 100000.00
CN. 849583 KBL - 18.12.08 100000.00
Tatal - 596885.00
3. From the date I deposited the money till to date he is not returning the money nor is he clarifying regarding giving the Fabia to me.
4. Because of his irresponsible behaviour my daughter and I refused to buy Fabia and wanted my money back which I had paid as advance. This tremendous misbehavior and irresponsible attitude of your dealer towards me has compelled me to arrive at this decision that I will never use Skoda brand in my lifetime again. Please come and take the Laura back from me.
5. I have been requesting since last three and half month to him to pay the due amount deposited as advance. But he refused and gave me reasons that Company has no policy to return the advance amount.
6. I had an Octavia car previously with me which met with an accident on 10th August, 2008 in Jodhpur. I was fortunate that I and my family were in a Skoda car. After major accident, because of the quality of Skoda we were saved. It is not first time such an incident has happened. Being the safest vehicle I have come across in my life I purchased a Skoda Laura at the same date from your dealer, vide invoice no. JCPL 0054, engine number BJB 207307 and Chassis Number TNBBSD 1228A151872.
7. This new Laura again met with an accident on 2nd October, 2008 so I gave the car to the dealer for repairing.
8. Since the 2nd October to 12th February, 2009 I was chasing him to give back my two cars, the Laura and one old white Octavia as well as the money which I had paid as advance for the Fabia. He has been refusing to return both my car as well as my money.
9. He is always claiming that he does not have the spares to repair my cars and the Company policy was that we pay advance for the spares which have to be purchased. I so also gave him advance Cheque for the spares. Then he compelled me to buy the Fabia or he would not refund my cars or refund my money back, since this was also the Company policy.
10. As I belong to the backward community from Rajasthan and belonging to Barmer
I took his words to be true. I was betrayed and punished by your dealer although I have not committed any mistake. Please solve my problem.
Why am not getting my money back?
Why am not being given back my Old Octavia car (white colored)?
Why was my Laura kept there for four and half months?
Why was my Laura car used by your dealer to the extent of more than 3000 kilometers?
Please tell me why should I now use or buy your products? This major loss of reputation and financial situation has dragged me to depression. I have been under serious medication and am being treated by Dr. Anil Vyas
Till such time you will not solve my problems, I am not going to use the Laura which was given back to me at your dealers’ mercy.
Some of my friends also tried to settle this matter with your dealer but he refused on the same grounds of the matter being a Company policy and that only the Company can resolve the matter.
My dear sirs, this is not a general complaint of your dealer but this is a question of somebody’s dignity, self respect and social reputation which has been ruined by your dealer, which makes you equally accountable in this entire matter.
Looking forward to your urgent attention and action,
Yours truly,
M. R. Potalia
Town Aart
62-63, Udyog Nagar, II Phase Basni
Jodhpur 342005 INDIA
Tel. 0091 291 2742075, 2742077
Fax. 0091 291 2639952
Mobile-0091 9829183404, 9414128189
http://www.mabrosgroup.com
http://www.townartexport.com
info@townartexport.com
townaart@gmail.com
MSN: townartexport@hotmail.com
By M R POTALIA on Feb 26, 2009