Skoda Fabia Sketches (2000)

Within its length of 4,222 mm the Škoda Fabia Sedan has a spacious luggage compartment (428 litres) which bears comparison with many medium class cars. In addition the Comfort and higher specifications models are equipped with 1/3 : 2/3 split folding rear seats unique among small sedans, increasing the luggage compartment volume to 789 litres.

Equipment

From Classic all models are equipped with a driver airbag, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and an immobiliser. The standard equipment also includes an electro-hydraulic steering booster (in cars with the 1.2/40 engine this is an option) and remote luggage compartment release. The facia panel is manufactured from a material with a soft and pleasant feel using "slush" technology. Large, easily readable instruments - all versions are equipped with a rev counter and a digital clock - have green background illumination. The facia panel blends smoothly into the central console, which has a 12 V socket. The heating and ventilation system has a built-in pollen filter and interior air re-circulation. Various storage pockets and compartments for small items, a can holder, and a locked box with can and pencil holders on the front passenger's side make the interior of the car even more convenient (in cars with air-conditioning these compartments are cooled).

Customers will appreciate the many thoughtful details. All Škoda Fabia cars have a lights-on alert when getting out of the car. The interior illumination is automatically switched on when the doors are opened and the ignition key is removed. It also switches off automatically after 30 minutes if accidentally left on. A reflector on the side of the front door acts as a warning to passing drivers.

In addition to the Classic features, the Comfort model is factory-fitted with a front passenger airbag, height-and tilt-adjustable steering wheel, split rear seats, protective side mouldings and central locking with a security system. Once activated this system prevents the door from being opened, even from inside, after a window has been broken. The Comfort specification includes height-adjustable driver's seat, an on-board computer, electrically operated front windows and a remote locking fuel cap. Additionally, the Comfort and higher models have a tinted windscreen, body-coloured exterior mirrors and a useful power socket in the luggage compartment (Combi and Sedan). Storage boxes in the rear door panels supplement the number of storage pockets and compartments.

As with other Škoda models, the Elegance is the top of the range Škoda Fabia. In addition to the equipment of the other specifications, it includes an information system that warns the driver of open doors and faulty bulbs in exterior lights. Standard equipment in the Elegance also includes automatic air-conditioning, which in addition to the usual function of cooling the interior also cools two boxes on the instrument panel. By selecting the reverse function, the ventilation system is automatically switched to internal circulation, thus limiting the intake of external air with exhaust fumes into the vehicle. The front doors have lights on the bottom edge (inner side), which act as a warning to passing drivers and also illuminate the road making it easier and safer to get in/out of the car. Fog lamps, electric front and rear windows, electrically adjustable and heated external mirrors are standard. If the windscreen washer water level is low, a warning light will come on. The Elegance also has central locking with remote control in a folding key, 14" light-alloy wheels (15" wheels on cars with the 2.0/85 kW unit), chrome interior details (gear lever knob, hand brake release button, door safety knobs), and an illuminated dashboard compartment on the front passenger's side.

Optional equipment

The range of options available from the Classic specification includes side airbags, heated front seats, alarm, headlight washers, cruise control, radio preparation (incl. antenna and four/eight speakers), Škoda radios and a CD changer. Also available are mobile telephone preparation, an electrically operated sunroof with a sunshade with an anti-slip lock, three storage nets for securing items in the luggage compartment (Sedan) and a small leather package (steering wheel, gear lever knob and hand brake handle wrapped in leather). New options for model year 2003, will include the possibility of deactivating the passenger airbag (front and side - if installed), a third headrest for the rear seats and all specifications can be supplied with a useful drawer under the driver's seat.

As an option, the Škoda Fabia Classic can be equipped with a height-and tilt-adjustable steering wheel. Classic and Comfort models can be fitted with an automatic air-conditioning system. The electronic stability system ESP is available with cars powered by the 2,0 litre /85 kW engine. Options for Comfort and Elegance models also include electrically controlled rear windows with child safety locks, xenon headlamps with automatic inclination adjustment and washers, heated windscreen washers, parking sensors, a navigation system and a sports package (three-spoke steering wheel, leather-covered gear lever gaiter and knob and hand brake handle and sports-design front seats). The Elegance can be equipped with a leather interior including leather seats and the leather trim package (steering wheel, gear knob and hand brake handler covered in leather).

Safety

Škoda Fabia models comply with all safety standards applicable in the markets to which they are exported and already comply with standards that will come into force in the future. Prototype cars were subjected to crash tests at 64 km/h instead of the specified 56 km/h. This places far greater stress on the restraint systems as well as the energy absorbing capacity of the body. The Škoda Fabia hatchback passed the extremely demanding Euro NCAP consumer test with a rating of "four stars" - one of the best in its class.

The structure of the body together with the precisely defined thickness of the fully galvanised steel sheets guarantees extraordinary strength and torsion rigidity that significantly improves the safety of passengers. The door pillars are extremely strong; the doors themselves have double lateral reinforcements. In a crash, the front and rear body sections are progressively deformed. The engine mounting prevents it being pushed into the passenger compartment. The steering column collapses upon impact and the pedal unit is designed to prevent injury to the driver's legs and feet during a crash.

If during a serious crash the airbags are deployed, an automatic sequence of defined operations will be activated via the CAN-Bus on-board network; the warning indicators and interior illumination will come on, the central door locking system will be unlocked. Some power circuits will be switched off to prevent short circuits. The fuel pump and the fuel supply pipe will be immediately switched off.

A driver airbag is standard on all models. A front passenger airbag is standard on the Comfort and higher specifications. Side airbags are available as options for all models. In addition, options include the deactivation of the front passenger airbags so that small children can be carried in a child seat on the front seat.

ABS combined with Engine Drag/Torque Regulation (MSR) and Anti Skid Regulation (ASR) are standard or optional (depending on the engine fitted in the car). In addition, for cars with 2-litre petrol engines and the RS version, the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is available as an option.

All Škoda Fabia models are equipped with an immobiliser and a VIN code label on the windscreen frame. The immobiliser uses a variety of "floating code" combinations, rejecting any combination that has already been used. Options include an alarm system that monitors the interior of the car and a backup alarm horn.

Engines and transmissions

Five petrol and three diesel engines are available for the Škoda Fabia. Another option is the 1.9 TDI PD/96 kW diesel engine designed for the RS model. The petrol engines comply with the most stringent EU4 that comes into force in EU countries in 2005. In some countries, cars with these engines are eligible for tax allowances. Depending on the legal provisions of certain countries, some petrol engines complying with EU2 are available. The diesel engines comply with EU3.

Škoda Fabia's petrol engines complying with the most stringent EU4 are fitted with two catalytic converters and two lambda probes. The new three-cylinder engines producing from 40 to 47 kW need only one catalytic converter because of their advanced technology. All these engines are controlled by EOBD (European On Board Diagnostics). If any function fails to comply with the pre-set values a warning light will come on. The EOBD electronic memory makes it easier to detect failures and to diagnose them thus helping service staff to correct them quickly.

A three-cylinder petrol engine has been developed by the technicians at Mladá Boleslav for Škoda Fabia hatchback. The power unit has a displacement of 1.2 l, its cylinder block and cylinder head are made of aluminium alloy and it is has a counter-drive balancing shaft. The OHC camshaft has two valves per cylinder and is chain driven. This drive has been designed so that no maintenance or replacement of the chain and the chain wheels is required during the service life of the engine. The exhaust system has also been modified, with the exhaust catalytic converter located directly after the exhaust manifold. This solution is especially beneficial because, in this location, the catalytic converter heats up to operating temperatures faster after a cold start, making the exhaust cleaner and reducing fuel consumption. The biggest advantage of the new engine is its high torque at lower revolutions, hence the engine's designation HTP - High Torque Performance, which in particular contributes to a smooth and comfortable, but at the same time, flexible drive. The engine is smooth, well balanced and quiet and already complies with EU 4 and can be easily modified to comply with the higher requirements of more and more stringent legislation. This power unit develops 40 kW at 4750 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 106 Nm at 3000 rpm. A Škoda Fabia with the 1.2 HTP/40 kW engine can reach a maximum speed of 151 km/h, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 18.4 s and has an average consumption of 5.9 l /100 km.

Additional engines are available for all body variants.

The 1.2 12V HTP/47 kW (64 bhp) engine is a completely new innovation and becomes the basic 54 bhp power unit for the sedan and estate versions. Its design is very similar to the preceding engine; the biggest differences are that it has dualOHC piston valve control in the cylinder head and four valves per cylinder. In all other respects this engine has all the advantages of this advanced technology, such as high torque produced at low revolutions, favourable fuel consumption and EU4-compliant, low exhaust emissions. In addition, this design increases the engine's output to 47 kW and this maximum is produced at higher revolutions (5400 rpm) enabling flexible and dynamic driving at higher speeds, particularly useful when overtaking. The torque has been increased to 112 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The Škoda Fabia hatchback equipped with this engine has a maximum speed of 160 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 15.9 s and its combined fuel consumption is 5.9 l of petrol per 100 km.

The smallest engine has a displacement of 1.4 l and dualOHC with four-valve technology. It produces 55 kW. The maximum speed of a Škoda Fabia with this engine is 167 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 13.8 s, and the average consumption is 6.4 l/100 km. An automatic four-speed transmission with a hydrodynamic torque converter is available with this power unit. This transmission uses the "fuzzy logic" electronic system that matches gear changes not only to road conditions but also to the way the driver presses the accelerator. This power unit complies with EU4 (EU3 with automatic transmission).

The four-valve-per-cylinder 1.4 l power unit is also available in a sports design, which develops a maximum of 74 kW. This engine provides great driving enjoyment. The maximum speed is 185 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h is 11.5 s. The average consumption remains a very creditable 6.6 l/100 km.

The most powerful petrol unit for the Škoda Fabia is the 2.0l /85 kW unit with a torque of 170 Nm at 2400 rpm. this a potent engine gives exceptional dynamic qualities, as proven by a maximum speed of 195 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 9.9 s. Average fuel consumption with the 2.0/85 kW engine is 7.7 l/100 km.

The range of power units also includes several diesel units with direct injection. The first of these is the 1.9 SDI/47 kW engine with atmospheric charging and direct fuel injection. This engine excels with its favourable torque and average fuel consumption of 4.8 l/100 km.

The range of available diesel engines also has a new addition. This is the state-of-the-art turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.4 litres that uses high-pressure injection technology, i.e. the pump-nozzle system. The design of the engine is derived from four-in-line engines of this range. Decreasing the number of cylinders has resulted in a significant reduction in weight. The engine is equipped with a counter-drive balancing axis, making it very quiet in operation. In order to comply with stringent emission standards, the engine uses an oxidation catalytic converter and an exhaust gas re-circulation system that returns gases from the exhaust pipe to the combustion chamber. The most significant feature of the new engine is its high torque that is available at relatively low revs and excels with its even characteristics. The maximum output of 55 kW (75 bhp) is produced at 4,000 rpm and the maximum torque of 195 Nm at 2,200 rpm. A Škoda Fabia with the 1.4 TDI PD/55 kW (75 bhp) engine has a maximum speed of 168 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.2 s. Another significant feature of the new engine is its extremely favourable fuel consumption of only 4.4 l/100 km in the combined driving regime.

The more powerful diesel unit is the turbocharged 1.9 TDI PD/74 kW engine with high-pressure injector units (pump-nozzle system). It reaches an exceptional 240 Nm at 1800 rpm, giving the vehicle excellent dynamic qualities and exceptional flexibility. The maximum speed of a Škoda Fabia hatchback with this engine is 185 km/h, and acceleration from 0-100 km/h is 11.5 s. All this is achieved at an average fuel consumption of only 4.9 l/100 km/h.

Chassis

The Škoda Fabia chassis has a long wheelbase and wide wheel tracks both in the front and the rear. This gives the car extremely good road holding and visually emphasizes its performance and safety.

The front axle consists of MacPherson struts and lower triangular transverse links combined with a torsion stabiliser (except for vehicles with 13" wheels). The rear axle has been designed using reliable pilot-pin technology with a stabilizer. Compared with the hatchback, the dampers and springs have been reinforced in the Combi and Sedan models.

The diagonally split front and rear braking system is assisted. In models with ABS, the braking force is electronically distributed between the front and rear axle (EBD) depending on the load. Models without ABS have a mechanical braking force limiter on the rear axle. All models with ABS have Engine Drag/Torque Regulation (MSR), which prevents the driving wheels from skidding when changing down or decelerating on slippery roads. Models powered by the 2.0/85 kW unit and RS versions can have Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) fitted as an option.

All models (except cars with the 1.2/40 kW engine and with 13" wheels, for which it is available as an option) have electro-hydraulically operated power steering as standard. The electric pump works on an as-required basis (such as driving through curves and parking manoeuvres) thus avoiding permanent power consumption and reducing fuel consumption. The electronic control system adjusts the amount of power steering assistance according to the speed of the car.

Most of the electronic systems in the car (the engine management unit, the electronic accelerator pedal, engine sensors, power steering control and the automatic transmission, ABS, MSR, airbag deployment, air-conditioning, the central locking system, dashboard instruments etc.) are inter-connected via a CAN-Bus for the quick and reliable exchange of digital data between individual electronic control units. This system optimises the use of the electronic controls and devices in the car according to the driving situation and provides greater driving comfort.

Colours and upholstery

Customers can choose from a rich palette of thirteen different colours.

Six non-metallic colours:

• Candy White,
• Lemon Yellow (not available for sedan models),
• Corrida Red,
• Dynamic Blue,
• Laser Blue,
• Atol Green.

Seven metallic colours:

• Diamond Silver,
• Cayenne Orange,
• Admiral Blue (not available for sedan models),
• Deep Sea Blue,
• Nature Green,
• Stone Grey,
• Black Magic with pearl effect.

The colour design of the interior varies according to the specification. The upper dashboard in all models is always black (Onyx) to prevent reflections in the windscreen. In the Classic the lower dashboard is grey, in Comfort it is black (Onyx), and in Elegance, it is beige or black (Onyx).

Upholstery fabrics vary as well: Classic is available with "Dance" upholstery in Anthracite; Comfort has a "Starship" combination of two colours, which is available in three variants: blue, red and silver in combination with black (Onyx). The Elegance is upholstered in "Mystic" beige or black-grey.

In addition to the above design options, the elegance is available with optional Onyx black leather upholstery and headrests. This leather interior design includes a small leather package in Black Onyx consisting of a leather-wrapped steering wheel, hand brake handle and gear lever knob. In cars with manual transmission it also includes the gaiter.