Description and characteristics of Skoda Fabia cars

Skoda Fabia — a compact car (B-segment) produced by the Czech car manufacturer "Skoda Auto" from 1999 to the present. It is the successor of the subcompact car "Skoda Felicia", which was produced from 1994 to 2001. There were three body styles in total – a hatchback (in the majority), station wagon (Combi) and sedan (Sedan), which only existed in the first generation. It is a front-wheel drive vehicle with a front longitudinal engine. As of the end of 2018, more than 4 million Fabias had been produced and sold worldwide. Part of the Fabia's success was the fact that all its mechanical parts were developed in collaboration with "Volkswagen", with the exception of some engines.

At present, the latest generation of Fabia has the following competitors and classmates from other manufacturers: Citroen C2, Chevrolet Aveo, Fiat Siena, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit (Jazz), Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Lada Granta, Mazda2, Mitsubishi Colt, Nissan Micra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Renault Logan, Renault Sandero, Seat Ibiza, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo.

First generation (6Y, 1999-2007)

The first generation Fabia was officially presented at the 58th Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1999 as a five-door hatchback. Production began already in October. The car is based on the platform "Volkswagen Group A04" (PQ24), which is also used for "Volkswagen Polo 4" and "SEAT Ibiza". The hatchback measured 3,970 mm in length, 1,646 mm in width, and 1,451 mm in height. The station wagon (Combi) version was unveiled in September 2000 at the Paris Motor Show. Its length was 4,232 mm, width 1,646 mm, and height 1,452 mm. In 2001, a sedan body style with identical exterior dimensions to the station wagon was introduced, which was no longer available in subsequent generations. The car's curb weight was 1,010 kg. In 2000, the British magazine "What Car?" awarded it the "Car of the Year" award. More than 1.7 million units of the first generation were produced.

The car was equipped with petrol and diesel engines. Gasoline engines had the following characteristics:

• 1.0 liter (997 cm³, I4, 8V, AQV/ATY/ARV, 50 hp)
• 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, I3, 6V MPI/HTP, AQV/ATY/ARV, 54 hp)
• 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, I3, 12V HTP, AZQ/BME, 63 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1397 cm³, I4, MPI, AZQ/BME, 59 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1397 cm³, I4, MPI, AME/AQW/ATZ, 67 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, I4, 16V, APE/AUA/BBY/BKY/BUD, 74/79 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, I4, 16V, AUB/BBZ, 99 hp)
• 2.0 liters (1984 cm³, I4, 8V, ATF/AZL/BBX, 118/114 hp)

The abbreviation "MPI" in the specification means multi-point injection.

The following diesel engines were installed: 1.4 liters (1422 cm³, I3, 6V TDI, BNM/AMF/BNV, 68/74/79 hp), 1.9 liters (1896 cm³, I4, 6V SDI, ASY, 63 hp), 1.9 liters (1896 cm³, I4, 6V TDI, ATD/AXR, 99 hp) and 1.9 liters (1896 cm³, I4, 6V TDI PD, ASZ/BLT, 129 hp). The gearbox was a five- or six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

Three trim levels were available from the start: "Classic", "Comfort" and "Elegance." Later, "Comfort" was renamed "Ambiente." As a result, the trim levels were called "Ambiente", "Blackline", "Silverline", "Sport", "Bohemia" (station wagon only) and high-performance "VRS".

In 2000, the European committee "Euro NCAP" conducted crash tests to determine the safety of the car, see the results in the table.

In 2004, the car was restyled and received new front fog lights and a radiator grille, slightly modified taillights, a new steering wheel and technical specifications. A minor update was also carried out for the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.

Second generation (5J, 2007-2014)

The second generation was officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007, with sales beginning in April. The same platform (PQ24) was used. It was produced as a 4000 mm long hatchback and a 4247 mm long station wagon. The car's width was 1642 mm, height 1498 mm, wheelbase 2460 mm, and curb weight 1075 kg. The station wagon came out a little later and was presented separately at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007. The exterior and style were developed jointly with the "Roomster" minivan. The trim levels and equipment options were called "Classic", "Ambiente", "Sport" and "Elegance." The car was assembled in the Czech Republic, India, Kazakhstan, China, and Ukraine. In total, more than 1.5 million second-generation Škoda Fabias were produced.

The line of gasoline engines was represented by the following models:

• 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, I3, EA111, OHC, MPI, 59 hp)
• 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, I3, EA111, DOHC, MPI, 59 hp)
• 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, I3, BZG (EA111), OHC, MPI, 68 hp)
• 1.2 liters (1197 cm³, I3, CBZA/CBZB (EA111), OHC, TSI, turbo, 85/103 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, I4, EA111, DOHC, MPI, 85 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, I4, EA390, DOHC, MPI, 85 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, I4, CAVE (EA111), DOHC, TSI, turbo, 176 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, I4, EA111, DOHC, MPI, 103 hp)

Diesel engines were represented by the following models:

• 1.2 liters (1199 cm³, I3, EA189, 12V, DOHC, common-rail, turbo, 74 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1422 cm³, I3, BNM (EA188), 6V, SOHC, turbo, 68 hp)
• 1.4 liters (1422 cm³, I3, BNV (EA188), 6V, SOHC, turbo, 79 hp)
• 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, I4, CAYA/CAYB/CAYC (EA189), 16V, DOHC, turbo, 74/89/103 hp)
• 1.9 liters (1896 cm³, I4, BSW (EA188), 8V, SOHC, turbo, 103 hp)

The gearbox was either a five- or six-speed manual or a six- or seven-speed automatic "DSG".

All cars sold within the European Union were equipped with ABS, front passenger, driver and side airbags. Curtain airbags and ESC were available as options. The European Committee "Euro NCAP" conducted safety tests on a 2007 model car; detailed crash test results are shown in the table.

The car was updated in 2010 and shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The updated version can be easily distinguished from previous versions by the new shape of the front bumper and front fog lights. The range of petrol and diesel engines has also been updated.

In May 2012, the three millionth car rolled off the assembly line.

Third generation (NJ, 2014-2021)

Third generation "Skoda Fabia" it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2014, with sales beginning the following month. The car is based on the new "PQ26" platform (a mixture of the "PQ25" and "MQB" platforms), which is also used for "Volkswagen Polo" fifth generation. The dimensions and weight have been slightly reduced, while passenger space has increased thanks to a longer wheelbase of 2,470 mm. The body style is a five-door hatchback (length 3992 mm, width 1730 mm, height 1467 mm) and a station wagon (length 4257 mm, width 1732 mm, height 1488 mm). The curb weight, depending on the configuration and engine displacement, ranged from 1,055 to 1,165 kg. Assembly took place in the Czech Republic and Algeria.

There were three models of 1.0 liter petrol engines (999 cm³, I3, CHYA/CHYB, 12V, DOHC, 59/74 hp), 1.0 liter (999 cm³, I3, CHZB/CHZC (EA211), 12V, DOHC, 94/108 hp) and 1.2 liter (1197 cm³, I4, CJZC (EA211), 14V, DOHC, 89/108 hp). The diesel engine was installed only with a volume of 1.4 liters (1422 cm³, I3, CUSB/CUTA, 12V, DOHC, 89/104 hp). These engines were paired with a five- or six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.

The car is equipped with a security system "Front Assist", which collects data from a radar sensor to automatically warn the driver and apply the brakes to avoid a collision at certain speeds. The European Committee "Euro NCAP" tested the safety of the 2014 Fabia, see the results in the table.

In 2015, it received the "Best Small Car of the Year" award from the renowned "What Car?" magazine.

Fabia 3, 2016 year, back view

Fabia 3, 2017 year, wagon

Fabia 3, 2018 year, interior

Fourth generation (PJ, 2021-present)

Production of the fourth generation began in July 2001, and the first camouflaged prototypes were actively tested as early as early 2021. The car is based on the company's platform "Volkswagen Group" — MQB-A0, which is also used for the Skoda Scala and Kamiq of the same model years, as well as the VW Polo Mk6, SEAT Ibiza Mk5, and Audi A1 Mk2. The car's dimensions have increased slightly: length 4107 mm, width 1780 mm, height 1460 mm, wheelbase 2564 mm, and curb weight of 1116-1364 kg. The body style remains only in the five-door hatchback format, while the aerodynamic coefficient is Cd = 0.28, which is an improvement over the third generation (0.32).

Diesel engines were discontinued due to environmental requirements. There were three petrol engine options: 1.0 liter (999 cm³, MPI EVO, VW EA211, I3. 65/80 hp), 1.0 liters (999 cm³, TSI EVO, VW EA211 evo, I3, 95/110/116 hp), 1.5 liters (1498 cm³, TSI EVO, VW EA211 evo, I4, 150/177 hp). The gearbox was either a 5- or 6-speed manual, or a 7-speed semi-automatic DSG.

The basic equipment includes safety systems such as ABS, ASR and ESC, cruise control, a 4-speaker audio system, manual air conditioning, front electric windows, 15-inch steel wheels and halogen headlights. A large, free-standing touchscreen infotainment system has been added. In autumn 2021, the Fabia underwent Euro NCAP safety testing and received five out of five possible stars.

Fabia 4, 2023 year, side view

Fabia 4, 2021 year, trunk

Fabia 4, 2025 year, interior