Skoda is a hugely ambitious car company. Just listen to their target - they want to sell 1.5 million cars annually by 2018, twice the volume they clocked in 2009. We say ambitious because Skoda has only one volume product - Fabia. The Citigo has just joined the family and the Rapid isn't here yet.
The most challenging bit is Skoda is not a global brand and relies on Volkswagen mechanicals to build its cars.
It is an understatement to say the future Fabia is essential in this voyage. Its sales are mainly concentrated in the European market but if it has to do 300,000 units (for Skoda to reach the 1.5 million in 2018) it has to perform well in emerging markets. This includes India, where the Fabia is almost a background model, playing second fiddle to cousin Polo. This is shocking, as Skoda's had 10 years to crack the Indian market.
But that's about the change with the entry of the 2015 Skoda Fabia. Like the 2015 BMW X1 and 2015 Ford Fiesta we discussed this morning, the Fabia will use a three-cylinder engine with turbocharging and direct injection. A new turbocharged petrol engine is being developed to provide better fuel economy and cut down weight for the 2015 Fabia. The fuel efficiency bug has bitten the forthcoming RS version as well, which will make about 140hp (some 40hp down) and work on maximizing fuel economy.
Automobile Magazine France is reporting that the next gen Fabia's design is inherited by the MissionL concept. Trademark design touches such as the C-Shaped tail light will feature on the new Fabia as well. The boot volume will improve to 350 liters. The interiors are expected to be a bit more spacious and Skoda will also redesign the Combi variant.
The best part of the 2015 Skoda Fabia project is despite showing improvements in every aspect, no significant hikes in the price are expected.
[Source - Automobile-magazine.fr]
