Hi All,

Mine is an 'old' Fabia so I've not posted here before. Just wanted to make sure you'd seen this - I was sure someone would have done a post already but I did a quick search for 'Autocar' and didn't find it.

Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI estate - Autocar.co.uk

I bought the mag this week - I think Autocar road tests are very good.

Still not sure on its looks, although the estate version does look better IMO.

Steve

lol where do they get their info from:

"Also unusual is the extensive array of three-cylinder engines, starting with a 59bhp 1.2 petrol"

er no, the engines start from the 70bhp version not the 60 bhp

"Surprisingly, all these engines drive through a five-speed manual gearbox, with a four-speed auto optional on the 1.6 petrol."

wrong again the auto is a 6 speed tiptronic. and why is it surprising that they use 5 speed?

"This Fabia rides on the same platform as the last, hence an identical wheelbase but a slight gain in the front overhang for pedestrian protection reasons. It also features the same suspension layout as before, consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a twist beam axle at the rear"

i could be wrong here buti thought the new fabia used a totally new platform? therefore newer suspension?

"ESP is standard on both the middle and highest trim levels"

only standard on the 1.6 tiptronic models

"As well as that, the diesel engine offers plenty of scope for scoring well over 40mpg (although we recorded an average 35.5mpg),"

i drive the 1.9tdi roomster and i get way more than that! they must have been giving it some lol!

well at least they gave it a thumbs up, they need to do well with the estate, we have loads of people eager to get in one

Thank goodness!

I thought it was me going a bit la la. I to noticed all these errors in the Autocar, especially about the engine range starting with the 59bhp engine when it has been publiscised for quite some time that it would start with the 70bhp 12v one.

Also you are quite right about the ESP, it is only standard on the tiptronic, which is indeed a 6 speed transmission. These errors maybe partly due to the thick skoda configurator on their website which seems to have everything wrong in regard to the Fabia and doesn't even work properly - sort it out skoda!

Plus if the 1.9tdi can only achieve 35mpg I may reconsider purchasing my new skoda fabia sport. Though I am sure they were thrashing a brand new engine, not the best way to test economy Autocar!

Thanks woodenspatulas for your insights!

Mark

Seems a bit unnecessary going with a 6-spd on the 1.6 auto? With the torque output on that engine, I could see it forever changing gear! Surely a 5spd 'box would have been more appropriate?

Steve

Seems a bit unnecessary going with a 6-spd on the 1.6 auto? With the torque output on that engine, I could see it forever changing gear! Surely a 5spd 'box would have been more appropriate?

Steve

6th only ever comes into play when above 50ish mph in my experiance, like crusing on the motorway. its a great drive, dosnt seem to be so sluggish like some autos ive driven.

yeah 35mpg is rubbish. i beat that all day long in my roo, and the furby i had before with the 1.9tdi gave way better than 35 mpg. look at the pics of the car on the move. they were giving it beans in most of the pics, that bound to effect the average mpg

Autocar praised the refinement of the 1.9 TDI engine, in contrast to WhatCar who recently criticised the new estate because it was difficult to find a refined engine! I must say it wasn't too refined, though not bad, in the Roomster courtesy car I had recently: have Skoda worked on refinement on this engine for the Fabia? Does anyone know if or when the Fabia may get common rail (1.6 tdi apparently in development for the new Polo?). Cheers

Autocar have remarked the 105PS 1.9 engine used in the Fabia is a bit more refined than the 2.0 used in the Golf et al. As for common rail in the Fabia, very hard to say. Next Golf and Audi A4 might well have all common rail diesels. Fabia may end up stuck with the PD engine for a while, even if the new Polo or Ibiza get a new common rail engine. But if the 1.9 in the new Fabia has relatively good refinement for a PD engine, I think I'll be OK having one!

:sofahide:

Raise shields Mr Worf. Maybe I'll get away with musing if it's not vRS related...