Sharing is a central plank of the design and engineering philosophy within the Volkswagen Group and the major example of that concerns platforms. Thus when design and development of a new small-car platform was completed in Germany, it was promptly handed to Skoda in the Czech Republic to form the basis of its new supermini, the Fabia. The Fabia is now being manufactured for sale in markets across Europe.
A new production line has been installed at Skoda's Mlada Boleslav plant at a cost of DM 622 million with a capacity of 1200 units per day. The line includes 240 robots that complete almost two-thirds of the Fabia's welds. Fully galvanized steel sheet of varying thickness (to provide added rigidity) is used for the Fabia. The car has a 10-year anti-rust warranty.
Skoda is a company on a long march back to market credibility after suffering many years of under-investment and design, technology, and manufacturing systems stagnation. In 1991, it was taken over by Volkswagen and has undergone a total technology makeover. The result is a growing status within Europe's automotive industry as it becomes an increasingly important player. The Octavia (based on the Audi A3 platform), introduced in 1996 and built in a new Skoda facility, has found considerable market success. Now comes the Fabia, full details of which have been released following its unveiling at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.
Slightly longer than other cars in its class (Ford Fiesta, Fiat Punto, Peugeot 306), the Fabia also has a relatively long wheelbase of 2462 mm (97 in) and wide tracks, the front being 1419-1435 mm (55.9-56.5 in) and the rear 1408-1424 mm (55.5-56.1 in), depending on model. Suspension includes front MacPherson struts with lower wishbone arms and a torsion stabilizer; at the rear, a compound-link crank axle is used. Coil springs and shock absorbers have been separated, according to Skoda. The new rear axle yields improved stiffness and torsion values and takes up less space, allowing cargo width in the luggage compartment between the wheelarches to be extended. Except for the least powerful version of the Fabia, electrohydraulic speed-sensitive power steering is fitted to reduce energy requirements.
Like other brands in the VW Group, Skoda puts the accent on quality, and the interior includes the use of slush molding for the dashboard to give a soft feel. The company has also given the Fabia a high level of equipment. The top line Elegance version has power windows, front-seat heating, heated windshield-washer nozzles, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, automatic air-conditioning, and remote-control central locking. The Fabia has two compartments in the dashboard, one sufficiently large to hold several drink cans, the other, in front of the driver, able to accommodate a single drink can. These compartments can be air-conditioned. There are also cup holders. The Elegance can be specified with an electric tilt/slide sunroof, headlight wash/wipe, cruise control, side airbags, electronic park distance control, navigation system, and leather upholstery. All this is unusual for a car in the Fabia's class.
Some versions get ABS as standard with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Skoda is also planning to offer the Fabia with an electronic stability program (ESP). Engines range from 1.0- to 2.0-L.
