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Weekend roadtest: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo spins into range
publication date: Oct 8, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
Skoda has always enjoyed a favourable reputation in
rallying circles and now it's piling up points among enthusiastic road drivers.
To celebrate is achievements in rallying and to mark
the 100th anniversary of the Monte Carlo rally as well as the 110th
anniversary of making cars, Skoda has produced the Fabia Monte Carlo, but it's
not a hot hatch, rather a very warm hatch.
|  | There is a range of Fabia MC models
in highly distinctive red and black to simulate the casino's roulette wheel and powered by a choice of petrol or diesel engines and I tested the top petrol
derivative.
The 105ps 1.2 engine ensures it is a very useable unit which is
easy to live with and not harsh or hard on the ears because it's not a
multivalve engine.
There is a five-speed gearbox with a light clutch,
neat change and sensible ratios to give strong and smooth acceleration while
delivering good motorway performance and this means it is flexible and
economical.
Underfoot the brakes are encouragingly powerful and
progressive, slowing the Fabia with ease from any speed while the parking brake
securely held it on steep hills.
Behind the wheel, the Fabia turned quickly and tightly
in town without being twitchy at speed and it did not have any kickback or
vibration.
A familiar range of secondary controls were close to
hand and clearly marked and the instruments were very clear and backed up by
warning lights.
The controls for heating and ventilation were simple
and clear and the system worked well to warm or cool the interior, quietly and
quickly and was backed up by powered front windows and manual rear windows.
If you need a lot of oddments room the Fabia is not
particularly good but the available recesses are plentiful if on the small side
and the boot expands from 300 cuft to 1,163 cuft behind the fifth door and the low rear
panel.
Access for occupants is simple although the door
openings are small and demand some flexibility if you are tall. Once inside the
room is surprisingly good and the front seats have a very reasonable adjustment
range and all are well shaped and supporting.
It rides over bad surfaces surprisingly well for a
super-mini with a sporting edge. Body roll is well controlled, it has a safe
and surefooted character to its handling and it never seems to be thrown off
line by mid-corner bumps.
The boxy shape and low waistline to the Fabia gives it
good visibility all round with comparatively slim roof pillars to help see
"through" any blind-spots. Wipers are very effective and the headlights are
bright and far reaching.
|  | The MC is based on the
Fabia SE trim but adds piano-black external details, black grille, roof
and mirror covers with smoked headlights and 17-inch black alloys while inside
it gets black or red sports seats, black roof lining and leather trim
highlights.
The test car was also fitted with £525 satellite navigation and
£335 Bluetooth connectivity system, taking it to just over £15,000 on the road. |
You will find the Fabia is a fairly quiet car overall.
The engine note only rises and to a pleasant note when its pushed into its
upper rev-range, there is no other significant mechanical background noise and
wind wuffle is very low. Suspension movements are only really noticeable on
poor surfaces.The performance is very useful and means the Fabia MC
not only keeps up with traffic flow but has enough in reserve to safely
overtake in many situations.
|  | It is also a surprisingly economical model without really trying to stretch it out
and I think you could improve on my overall figure if you were really inclined
to do so.
The Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo is an attractive buy, it
looks good as well, and it remains one of the few fun cars you can have today
and enjoy, almost as much as rallying. ©Robin Roberts
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| Fact file: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2TSI 105ps | | £14,150 (£15,010 as tested) | | Insurance group: 13 | | Mechanical: 8v 4cyl 1.2
105ps, 5-sp | | Performance: 119mph max., 10.1secs 0-62mph | | Fuel
consumption: 44mpg | | Emissions: 124gkm | | Warranty:
3yrs/ 60K |
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