11 September 2002: Skoda has extended their Fabia range with the introduction of a 55bhp 3-cylinder 1.2 litre HTP petrol engine. This brings the range into line with its sister-car VW Polo.

Available in hatchback design only, in two trim/specifications options, the new 1.2 litre HTP Fabia retails at an ex-works price of E13,210 (Classic) and E14,010 (Comfort).

The engine is made of lightweight aluminium alloy and is designed to meet latest EU exhaust emission standards. It reaches a peak output of 55bhp at 4,750 rpm and maximum torque of 106 Nm at 3,000 rpm. It has a top speed of 150 kph.

The new 1.2 litre HTP version comes with a factory fitted CD player, remote central locking and new 'Star Ship' interior trim all of which become standard features across the Fabia Comfort range. The new Fabia delivers 48 mpg on the combined cycle.

First versions of the new car will be shown to the public at the forthcoming National Ploughing Championships.

Meanwhile, production of the Skoda Octavia has passed the 750,000 mark, of which 500,000 hatchbacks and 250,000 estates have been produced since the model was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1996.

Octavia was the first Skoda produced on a platform common to other Volkswagen Group models. In 1997, the range was expanded with the launch of the Combi estate followed by a 4X4 version (1999), the sporty RS model (2000) and the Combi RS (2002).