Skoda’s new boss – Thomas Schafer has revealed the brand’s future strategy in an interview. The company is aiming at entry-level segments in order to expand the customer base. In this interview, Schafer briefly talked about the Fabia. He confirmed that the next-gen Skoda Fabia will be launched in 2021. He didn’t divulge any details, only saying that it will be a “great car”.
The new-gen Skoda Fabia will be designed and developed on the MQB AO modular platform, which also underpins the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and the Audi A1. Like the platform, the new Fabia will most likely use the 3-cylinder gasoline engines that power the Polo, Nivus, T-Cross and the Seat Ibiza. It is unlikely to get Polo GTI’s 2.0 TSI engine that also powers the top-spec Audi A1.
The hatchback is not likely to receive a diesel engine, as it doesn’t make sense in today’s time with more stringent emissions norms. In fact, the petrol engines are now more fuel efficient. The new-gen Skoda Fabia is likely to be powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine in naturally-aspirated and turbocharged versions. Transmission options are likely to include 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes and a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic.
The new model could also receive mild hybrid technology, which is currently offered in the new Octavia. This will help Skoda to cut emissions and improves fuel efficiency. Going by the brand’s strategy, it is expected that the next-gen Skoda Fabia will be bigger and roomier than its direct rivals. It is quite early to comment whether Skoda will introduce the new-gen Fabia Wagon, as the brand is selling the Kamiq crossover.
The next-gen Skoda Fabia is unlikely to arrive in our market in the next couple of years. The brand will launch the Vision IN based mid-sized SUV in the first half of 2021, which will be followed by the next-gen Rapid in the late 2021. The company is also likely to introduce a sub-4 meter SUV in the country in 2022; however, nothing official has been revealed by the automaker.
