A Skoda Auto is obsessed with quality they say. But what they for- get to mention is that it is also obsessed with success. The Fabia without doubt was one of the most anticipated cars of 2008. When it was unveiled at the Auto Expo the reception it received was fit for a rock star. The super hatch offers comfort and interior space befitting higher segment cars, like magic almost. Multiple variants based on this platform were not expected too soon. But Skoda also unveiled the cheaper 1.2 HTP petrol variant of Fabia which saw the Fabia being placed in a broader and more affordable price spectrum. Skoda however has been very successful with the Octavia and the Fabia and to some extent the Superb. The Czech car maker seems to get calculations right about the Indian market, the success of the Octavia being a case in point. But the best of strategies could not help the Octavia Combi sell in the numbers Skoda was expecting. In contrast to the Octavia's phenomenal success, the Combi failed. Indian buyers prefer to buy a sedan or bulky SUV when they spend over Rs 10 lakh. The sedan is certainly more a symbol of wealth and luxury than hatchbacks and estates are. So, is Skoda repeating the mistake of the Octavia Combi? I think not.
The exterior design of the Fabia Combi strikes balance between function and performance. Though the estate look might suggest utility vehicle, the overall design of the Fabia Combi hints at a sporty character underlined by the low profile 225/45 R16 Bridgestone tires and split 5-spoke alloys. The Fabia Combi will be placed higher up in the market and many of the Fabia's current optional accessories will be standard on the Fabia Combi including ABS, airbags and parking sensors. The typical Fabia front grille with vertical ribs dominates the front of the car. The swooping nose smoothly progresses to an elegant rear with very small overhang. The window lining gets narrower towards e back rendering sort of a fast back look making the car appear sleeker than it actually is. The Combi fits in perfectly with the Fabia image. Not as big and bulky as the Octavia Combi, it fulfills the promise of packing in all the goodies in a neat compact package. The styling is in tune with the times gone is the boxy image associated with estates, the Fabia Combi being wed with curves in the right places. This might help mark the Fabia
- Combi as a luxury estate and help preserve it’s up market position the build quality is exceptional on Skodas’, the Combi exuding feel of a solid well built car. Other standard equipment like one touch power down windows and climate control enhance comfort quotient. While the Fabia offers generous boot space in the hatchback category, the Fabia Combi offers even more extravagant storage space and with the rear seat folded, there is enough space to carry your house around. The rear end incorporates the Fabia tail lamps and parking sensors while sharing lines with the Fabia hatchback.
The interiors have taken another step towards quality and perfection. The seats are more enveloping and provide better all round support and comfort than the hatchback. The dashboard layout is similar to the Fabia hatchback but the speedo console is revised with vertical and horizontal LCD displays. The stereo console and the dashboard layout is similar to the Jetta, Passat and the Laura reminding you of the Fabia Combi's Volkswagen connection.
The Fabia Combi is available only in diesel guise and uses the same TDI engine installed on the Octavia but the power is up to 106PS@4000rpm unlike the 90PS on the Octavia. This engine produces maximum torque of 235Nm that is available right across the rev range starting from 1800rpm up to 2400rpm. The most notable difference between the Fabia and the Fabia Combi is engine noise. The 3cylinder 1.4PD engine in the Fabia is noisy and produces a very irritating clatter on the outside, whereas the 4-cylinder 1.9TDI on the Fabia Combi sounds and feels refined and the noise levels inside and out are kept well in check. The turbo diesel engine is a little unresponsive initially during the turbo lag but as soon as the revs cross 2000rpm the turbocharger kicks and it's a whole different story as the power plant surges the car forward vigorously. The increase in engine power is easily noticeable as the Fabia Combi weighing 1190kg is over 300kg lighter than the Octavia and also produces 16PS more. All this additional power and lower weight make the Fabia Combi a fun car to drive in the city and on the highway. Along with being large on luggage and passenger space, the Fabia Combi also showcases excellent ride making it an ideal vehicle for long drives. Like every Skoda available in the market, the Fabia Combi also features Skoda trademark robustness and stability.
The Fabia Combi is a promising car with good features and a powerful engine. However, the car on test was a CBU and we are eager to see what trim Skoda is likely to offer in India when the Combi is launched. Skoda is tight lipped regarding the engine and trim levels too for cost reasons, Skoda might end up selling Fabia Combi with the same tire spec and the engine options on the Fabia as well as the interior trim. This means the Fabia Combi might go on sale with the 1.4PD engine and 14-inch wheels instead of the sporty 16 inch wheels. The question remains however as to how the market will respond to the Fabia Combi. No estate launched in the country achieved any success. The Indian consumer is not that keen on buying an estate as the utility or well fulfilled by the MUVs. Also, a lot depends on how Skoda markets and prices the Fabia Combi Talk is of giving it a premium positioning, just below 10 Lakh, but what will guarantee success is slotting' it just above the hatch back. For now, we'll have to wait and watch.