Four hundred thousand cars sold in 2000. Year 2001 sales currently up by 16%. A final year forecast of 460,000 unit sales. Worldwide, Skoda is on an upward curve.
Sales in Ireland were up by 58% in 2000. Currently, they're up by 6% in a market that’s dipping by 30% on Y2K figures. With a steady stream of new product lines (new vehicles, new body variants and new engines) in the offing, signs continue to be good. Good enough for Colin Sheridan, Skoda Sales Manager in Ireland, to predict a 10% increase before the year is out.
The first of the new models arrived here earlier in the year in the shape of the Fabia Combi (estate). The third arrival scheduled is the B5 flagship, which is penned in for next February. It was shown in Geneva as the Montreux but that name will be binned in favour of a Bohemian soundbyte by the time it reappears in Frankfurt in September.
Sandwiched in between this pair is the delectable Fabia Sedan (saloon ... why are they Americanising it?). Ever wanted - but could never find - a compact supermini car with lots of interior space, a big boot, a keenly competitive price, and big car looks? Think maybe such a car is probably a myth?
No it's not! Skoda took us to Greece a few weeks ago and introduced us to the new Fabia Sedan - a car that has all the angles well and truly covered.
Skoda's Fabia Sedan is solid and dependable. Chunky solid looks cloak a spacious and comfortable interior, a cracking good boot, lots of techno stuff and a family of fine engines. A quick look at the price on May 17th (launch date - we expect it to come in at IR£10,500, ex works) will tell you it's marvellous value for money - and judged on Skoda's recent second-hand demand and trade-in history, Fabia Sedan is capable of holding its residuals better than most.
On a need to know basis, the Fabia sedan is 4,222mm long. The 'comfort dimension' in the cabin - the distance from the pedals to the rear seat back rest - is a class leading 1,870mm.
For those who like a separate cargo department, Skoda Fabia Sedan provides a pretty cavernous boot. 438 litres of cargo space and 990mm long by 1,446 mm wide, it's comparable with many medium-sized cars. Boot figures read a 789-litre capacity and a length of 1,573mm when the split rear seats are folded flat. The boot sill is only 596mm above the road and the distance between the wheel arches is 974mm.
Platform and engines are shared with the next-generation Volkswagen Polo and, of course, with its own Skoda sisters. Styling and the three trim levels - Classic, Comfort and Elegance are also shared with the Skoda Combi and hatchback - the car that won Irish Car Magazine's Best Car Award, 2001. Fabia hatchback also scored the same marks as the eventual winner, the Opel's Corsa, in the Semperit Irish Car of the Year Awards - only to be pipped on a second preference vote count back.
Four petrol (three 1.4 litre units - 68bhp, 75bhp and 101bhp) and a 115bhp 2.0 litre powerplant) and two diesel units (64bhp, 1.9 SDi and a 101bhp, 1.9 TDi) make up the Fabia Sedan's 6-strong engine family.
All models, including the entry level Classic, have a driver’s airbag, front seat belt pretensioners, an immobiliser, electro-hydraulic power steering, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, pollen filter, split rear seats, remote boot release, lights on acoustic signal and delayed courtesy lights. Lights also switch off automatically after 30 minutes if accidentally left on.
Passenger airbag, fog lights, central locking with deadlocks, height adjustable driver’s seat, electric front windows, an original and helpful detail: tipping luggage hooks for hanging the shopping bags, and a power socket in the boot make up the Comfort offerings.
Elegance-badged sedans add on aircon with cooled dashboard compartments, electric rear (and front) windows, electric door mirrors, tipping luggage hooks, heated front seats, remote controlled central locking, 14" light-alloys, (15" with 2.0 litre MPI engine) and lots of chrome interior detailing. Optional extras include CD changer, electric sunroof, storage nets, parking sensors, etc.
Brief driving impressions in 101bhp 1.4 litre and 1.9 TDi models suggest Fabia Sedan is another Skoda gem. Both demonstrator machines handled themselves with poise. Steering was perfectly weighted, gearchange was better than we find in the VW Golf, and those engines responded readily and eagerly to any prompting we cared to administer as we highwayed along some well-signposted but bloody awful roads south from Athens to the Sounio Temple of Poseidon and back.
Did I say bloody awful? Yeah. These Hellenic highways are Irish-like in skewed camber and tarmac texture. Marginally, they shaded ours in undulations and potholes. Could this be where our road planners head for their annual holliers?
On second thoughts, no! The Greeks are well ahead of us on motorway construction. The Athens Metro - they brought in German experts - is already open for business. The rail link to the new airport will be completed next year. Luas, be praised.
May 2001
by John Reilly