Here’s When The Fourth-gen Skoda Fabia Will Debut

• It’s grown considerably in exterior dimensions, and will get sharper design traits. 

• A Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster, a central infotainment system, and a range of practical ‘Simply Clever’ bits will be some of the features on offer.

• It will be powered by 1.0-litre MPI, 1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI petrol engines in different states of tune and multiple transmission options. 

• The new Fabia could arrive in India via the already localised MQB-A0 platform.

• Rivals will include the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Honda Jazz, and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno.

As the days go by, Skoda continues to release details of the upcoming fourth-generation Fabia hatchback. Nearly a month after dropping a boatload of details on the new Fabia, the carmaker announced in its Annual Press Conference, that the next-gen hatchback will debut in May. 

Utilising the Volkswagen Group’s smallest modular platform, the MQB-A0 for the first time, the Fabia will be going ‘big’ in its generation update, growing considerably in length, width, and wheelbase over its predecessor. While the new Fabia is still fairly camouflaged, it is sharper in design, with new LED headlights that extend to the butterfly radiator grille, new LED tail lamps and what looks to be a larger roof spoiler at the rear. It's even more aerodynamically efficient with a drag coefficient of 0.28. Actively adjustable cooling shutters in the front bumper’s lower air intake aid aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. 

The cabin is yet to be revealed, but we expect it to be pretty spacious considering the increase in dimensions. Heck, boot space has gone up by 50 litres at 380 litres. Skoda has revealed some features for the new Fabia that includes a Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display as well as a central touchscreen infotainment system. It’ll also get what Skoda calls ‘Simply Clever’ features such as a removable sun visor for the panoramic roof, folding backrest for the front passenger seat, and a removable cup holder. Safety features include up to nine airbags, ISOFIX anchors, and assists like adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, park assist, and traffic sign recognition. 

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Powering the new Fabia will be a 1.0-litre MPI, 1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI petrol engines. While the two 1.0-litre motors will come in two states of tune, the 1.5-litre motor will deliver 150PS/250Nm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual (1.0-litre MPI, 1.0-litre TSI), a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission (1.0-litre TSI). The 1.5-litre TSI engine is solely paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.  The 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine, manufactured in India is likely to be the engine of choice for the India-spec Fabia. 

We could see the next-gen Skoda Fabia make it to India since we already have a localised version of the MQB-A0 platform, called the MQB-A0-IN, which should help in keeping prices competitive. A possible timeline could be around 2022 or 2023 alongside the new Polo. It will rival the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Honda Jazz, and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno.