I noticed the new Fabias have rear drum brakes, some earlier models had discs, any idea why?

MCH

Edited 24 December, 201015 yr by 2mch2

Skoda have developed ESP that works with drum brakes is the answer I think. Therefore they can fit cheaper rear drums and still have the safety features people want.

My Fabia 1 1.9 TDI had discs all round and stopped brilliantly. I was disappointed to find that my Fabia 2 FL 1.6 CR 105 has discs at the front and drums to the rear, another cost paring exercise. However the front discs are bigger than those on the Fabia 1 and it stops just as well, perhaps better. Less pressure is needed on the pedal, in fact the brakes are a little too sharp on initial application in my opinion. I ran the Fabia 1 for 44 000 miles and was amazed that there was still plenty of meat on the pads and the discs were still reasonably serviceable.

I think the higher powered cars are better with discs all round but on my little 1.2 the brakes are impressive. Got to say, it always puzzles me how drum brakes can be termed cheaper than discs. I would have thought machined Drums with shoes and brake cylinders etc can't be much cheaper ?? I can however see how Discs with their larger surface brake area would be more efficient. :S