The new SKODA Fabia: larger, safer and more efficient 05.05.2021: Fourth generation of the popular small car is based on Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB-A0 platform for the first time Most spacious car within its segment, boot increased by 50 l

    Fourth generation of the popular small car is based on Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB-A0 platform for the first time


    Most spacious car within its segment, boot increased by 50 l


    Emotive design, state-of-the-art infotainment and new Simply Clever solutions




Twenty-two years after the ŠKODA Fabia made its debut, the Czech car manufacturer is lining up the fourth generation of its popular small car. It is now based on Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB-A0 platform and is the most spacious car within its segment, boasting further improved comfort features and numerous advanced safety and assistance systems. Classic and appealing brand qualities, such as value for money, high levels of functionality, and a plethora of Simply Clever features, make the new Fabia a true ŠKODA.



Thomas Schäfer, ŠKODA AUTO CEO, said: “The Fabia has been an integral part of our portfolio for over 20 years and embodies the core values of our brand like no other model. The latest generation has everything it takes to seamlessly build on the success of its predecessors. It offers more space than its competitors, perfect connectivity, advanced assistance systems and an emotive design – in other words, all you need, and a little more.”



For the first time, the ŠKODA Fabia is based on the modular MQB-A0 platform from Volkswagen Group, which made it possible to make the interior even bigger. Now exceeding the four-metre mark, at 4,108 mm, the new Fabia is considerably longer than its predecessor.



The boot – which at 330 l was already the largest in the segment – has gained an additional 50 l to a capacious 380 l. Now based on the MQB-A0, the new Fabia also boasts many assistance systems that were previously reserved for higher-tier vehicles. In conjunction with the even stiffer body, the small car offers excellent active and passive safety.





Emotive design, best-in-class aerodynamics and a range of more than 900 km


Its emotive design and self-assured proportions make the new Fabia very appealing. Razor-sharp headlights, as well as tail lights with modern LED technology and crystalline structures, emphasise its dynamic appearance. The redesigned interior features a symmetrical dashboard with a free‑standing central display, an optional digital instrument cluster and horizontal decorative strips. From market launch, the S, SE and SE L trim levels will be available.


The sporty Monte Carlo variant will follow later. Five petrol engines from Volkswagen Group’s current EVO generation deliver power outputs ranging from 48 kW (65 PS) to 110 kW (150 PS). With a drag coefficient (cd) of 0.28, the Fabia is the most aerodynamic car in its segment, which – together with an optional 50-litre fuel tank – allows for a range of more than 900 km in the WLTP cycle. Five new Simply Clever features are celebrating their ŠKODA premiere.




Exterior: emotive design and new proportions




    The new Fabia has grown by 11 cm to just under 4.11 m and offers the largest boot within its segment at 380 l

    Drag coefficient (cd) of just 0.28 sets new benchmark in small car segment

    Clever cooling shutters lower fuel consumption by up to 0.2 l per 100 km at 120 km/h


Larger, more advanced and more emotive: the fourth‑generation ŠKODA Fabia has grown and continues the current design language. With athletic proportions, sculptural lines and sharply drawn headlights and tail lights using LED technology, the latest Fabia looks particularly dynamic and emotive.



Based on Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB-A0 platform, the car is larger inside and out. Thanks to sophisticated details, such as aerodynamically optimised wheels and actively adjustable cooling shutters in the front bumper’s lower air inlet, the new Fabia achieves a drag coefficient (cd) of 0.28, setting a new record in the small car segment.



Oliver Stefani, Head of ŠKODA Design, said: “With the fourth-generation Fabia, we have taken the next step in our brand-typical, emotive design language. Thanks to its new proportions, our entry‑level model looks much more dynamic and grown-up. At the same time, the new Fabia embodies a modern lifestyle at first glance. We have deliberately not changed the essence of the Fabia: as is typical of a ŠKODA, it is a functional and practical everyday companion.”



Sculptural lines, for example on the bonnet, dynamic proportions and modern light units with LED technology and the ŠKODA-typical crystalline structures create a particularly emotive look. A small design highlight can be found on the front doors: there, body lines stylise the characteristic triangle of the Czech flag. The clear-cut headlights featuring LED technology as standard extend to the ŠKODA grille.



The full-LED variants provide more light-intensive low beam and high beam, as well as cornering and adaptive light functions. Full-LED tail lights are another optional extra.




Larger in every aspect


Compared to the first three model generations, the latest ŠKODA Fabia is larger both inside and out, while its weight remains virtually unchanged. At a length of 4,108 mm, it exceeds the four‑metre mark for the first time. Compared to its predecessor, the new Fabia is 111 mm longer; its wheelbase has increased by 94 mm to 2,564 mm, and at 1,780 mm, it is 48 mm wider.



The increased overall dimensions make it possible to offer an even more spacious interior. ŠKODA has also significantly increased the Fabia’s boot, which was already the largest in the segment for the predecessor. The new Fabia now offers 380 l of storage space, which is another 50 l more than before. By folding down the rear seats, the capacity of the boot can be increased to 1.190 l.





Aerodynamics: cd of 0.28 sets benchmark within small car segment


ŠKODA has reduced the new Fabia’s drag coefficient to 0.28 (previous generation: 0.32), setting a record in the small car segment. During the development of the aerodynamics, ŠKODA predominately used what is known as CFD simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Within approximately three and a half years, the ŠKODA engineers computed more than 3,000 of these fluid dynamics simulations.




Cooling shutters reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.2 l per 100 km at 120 km/h


An important aerodynamic feature is the new type of cooling shutter in the front bumper’s lower air inlet, which ŠKODA is using for the first time in this vehicle segment. Actively adjustable slats automatically close when there is little need for cooling, improving aerodynamics.



This results in fuel savings of up to 0.2 l per 100 km when travelling at a constant speed of 120 km/h. For every kilometre driven with the shutters closed, the new Fabia thus emits up to five grams less CO2. To allow for a high level of cooling or to accommodate short stops, the system opens the shutters so that the maximum amount of air can flow in.




Optimised drag at the rear and Fabia debut for aerodynamically optimised wheels


Approximately one third of a vehicle’s overall drag is caused by turbulence at the rear. The new ŠKODA Fabia has a larger roof spoiler and side finlets that optimise the air flow at the rear. Smaller and specifically designed aerodynamic wing mirror housings additionally reduce drag and direct the air flow to the rear in a targeted manner. At the front, the air is guided to flow through vents in the front bumper, known as air curtains, in a particularly aerodynamic manner close to the side of the body and the wheels.


As approximately 25% of the drag is generated by the wheels alone, ŠKODA has now also fitted special plastic trims in the Fabia to improve the alloys’ aerodynamics – this is a first. These trims are suitable for the Proxima and Procyon wheels. Twelve panels now cover a larger part of the underbody instead of three, especially in the areas that are crucial for aerodynamics, such as the engine bay and the axles.





Less noise thanks to aero-acoustic simulations


During the development of the Fabia, ŠKODA used new aero-acoustic simulation methods for the first time to reduce wind noise. Usingcomputations based on CFD simulations, air turbulence and air flow on the body, as well as vibrations on the side windows, can be detected, which can cause whistling noises and increased noise levels in the interior.


This allows the sources of noise to be localised and eliminated, for example by adjusting the positioning of the wing mirrors.

New colours and wheels with a diameter of up to 18 inches


There is a choice of nine body colours for the new ŠKODA Fabia, with the two metallic paint finishes Phoenix Orange and Graphite Grey making their debut for the brand and the range respectively. Metallic Graphite Grey and pearl-effect Black Magic can also be chosen as contrasting paintwork for the roof, wing mirror caps and the ŠKODA grille surround.



 The options for the wheels include 14-inch and 15-inch steel wheels, as well as nine different alloys ranging from 15 to 18 inches. The optional, burnished 18-inch Libra alloy wheels in black are the range-topping variant.










Christian Heubner ,Martin Preusker - photos Skoda