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Skoda Fabia 1.4TDI tested.

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#1 04-Apr, 2008 03:52 PM
Ashish Jha
City: Mumbai
Best-seller



Yes, we stand convicted for the crime of doing it a bit late, but it's done now. For good. The Fabia 1.4TDI was with us and we drove like nuts to bring this review to you. Awaiting your response guys...
Total Posts: 508
#2 05-Apr, 2008 09:33 AM
Pankaj Prasad
City: Bhavnagar

Ashish, thanks for the review. 

I feel Fabia is overpriced & underpowered, as compared to others in its segment.
Total Posts: 5113
#3 07-Apr, 2008 10:00 AM
Ashish Jha
City: Mumbai
Best-seller



Hey Pankaj,

Your observations are true. Price is one factor which has really been played badly by Skoda. Many were expecting it to come at a sticker price undercutting the prevailing one by atleast a lakh. Performance, as I said in my report, was hilarious. She was laugh-inducingly underpowered lower down the revs. You wouldn't really imagine, but we actually were laughing out loud whenever the revs fell below the 1000 mark and we floored the throttle to cover that empty distance (which eventually was occupied by some other vehicle either zipping past or cutting the lane in front of us). Otherwise, dynamically, the car is not bad and the oprions list is endless. Plus you get a certain snob value with the Skoda badge.
Total Posts: 508
Last Updated: 07-Apr, 2008 10:09 AM, by Ashish Jha
#4 07-Apr, 2008 11:15 AM
Pankaj Prasad
City: Bhavnagar

Ashish, all in all, I feel we have better options to choose from.  I, therefore, don't foresee it to be a successful car. This is, however, my personal opinion/feeling.
Total Posts: 5113
#5 07-Apr, 2008 03:40 PM
Ashish Jha
City: Mumbai
Best-seller



Lol.. Pankaj, I for one never really declare that the car is going to be a success or not, since it can be termed as a 'bias'. I am a motoring journo and give the driving and test impressions and results to my readers/users. But in the concluding part (Overall), I think i've been suggestive enough that there are cars which are capable enough. But, really, for the love of hatchbacks, I do hope the battle gets intensified. If you think Fabia won't be able to deliver upon it, I hope some other OEM wakes up and takes notice of your words. Toyota.. listening?
Total Posts: 508
#6 07-Apr, 2008 03:58 PM
Pankaj Prasad
City: Bhavnagar

Yes Ashish, I agree with you.  In fact, I'm not at all competent to forecast success, or otherwise, of any car. But I somehow feel so & therefore, in the flow of discussion, just happened to state it.  Anyway

Total Posts: 5113
#7 07-Apr, 2008 04:02 PM
Ashish Jha
City: Mumbai
Best-seller



But this, I think, is a good thing and Skoda should take it seriously. If the users themselves think that Fabia is a bit steeply priced, perhaps they should do something about it to lure in more people and sell well That's why I appreciate the honest words of contributors like yourself. Cheers!
Total Posts: 508
#8 07-Apr, 2008 04:21 PM
Pankaj Prasad
City: Bhavnagar

By the way, for instance, if we compare Fabia & Dzire....

  1. Fabia (Rs.6.67 to Rs.8.07 lac) has 1422 CC engine that delivers 69ps of power @ 4000rpm & 155nm of torque @ 1600rpm.
  2. Dzire (Rs.5.60 to Rs.6.91 lac) has 1248 CC engine that delivers 75ps of power @ 190nm of torque @ 2000rpm.

Fabia is definitely underpowered (especially for its size of engine/CC) as compared to Dzire. Like-wise, interiors & features of Fabia & Dzire are more or less equally good while there's a big difference in the price of the two.
Total Posts: 5113
#9 07-Apr, 2008 04:28 PM
Pankaj Prasad
City: Bhavnagar

In fact, not withstanding the interiors & features, Fabia's overall performance is only a little better than Indica Turbo DLG's (Rs.4 lac) 1405 CC / 68 PS / 130 NM.
Total Posts: 5113
Last Updated: 07-Apr, 2008 04:42 PM, by Pankaj Prasad
#10 07-Apr, 2008 05:07 PM
Pankaj Prasad
City: Bhavnagar

Sorry, I'm tempted to compare Fabia & Dzire a little more (further to my post #8)....

Dzire, as compared to Fabia, has more length (168mm), width (48mm), height 17mm), ground clearance (24mm) & boot space (140ltrs).  Therefore, Dzire is more spacious & comfortable than Fabia. Besides, Dzire is more fuel efficient - 15/17 in city & 19/21 on highway against Fabia's 13/15 in city & 17/19 on highway.

 

This post is edited to correct the mileage figures of Fabia (earlier mentioned inadvertently of Petrol version).
Total Posts: 5113
Last Updated: 08-Apr, 2008 09:13 AM, by Pankaj Prasad
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