Restyled, powerful Fabia launched

Skoda Auto India has launched the facelifted Fabia with new engine options on offer. The Czech firm has redesigned the front end of the Fabia, adding new headlamps, fog lamps, redesigned front bumper and grille. The latter two elements have been widened to give the Fabia a more 'dynamic' family look.

The refreshed Fabia gets new 1.2-litre 75bhp petrol and 1.2-litre 75bhp diesel motor. These are the same engines doing duty in the VW Polo as well. The power output over the older engines has gone up 5bhp and 7bhp for petrol and diesel respectively. The Fabia also gets a powerful 1.6-litre petrol motor producing 105bhp at 5250rpm. It shares the same engine from the newly launched VW Vento.

The new Fabia gets better quality chrome decor, ivory colour, soft-touch dashboard and chrome inserts in the cabin. Also the new checkered upholstery is added to its feature list. On the safety front, the premium hatch now comes with airbags as standard. Classic variant gets single driver side airbag, whereas the Ambiente and Elegance variants get dual airbags. It also comes with ABS, Engine Braking Control (EBC) and Dual Rate Brake Assist for added safety.

The facelift comes just in time as the premium hatchback market has started hotting up. Fabia has been facing tough competition lately from the likes of Hyundai i20, VW Polo and the Honda Jazz.

Skoda has priced the new Fabia in par with its competition. The entry level 1.2 petrol variant is priced at Rs 4.35lakh, with the top-end 1.6 petrol priced at Rs 5.99lakh. The base diesel retails at Rs 5.40lakh which goes up to Rs 6.69lakh for the top end variant (all-prices ex-showroom, Delhi).