2015 Skoda Fabia Hatchback – First Spyshots

Skoda will unveil the 2015 Fabia hatchback at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The car will go on sale internationally from early 2015, and is expected to arrive into India sometime next year. Skoda has begun testing the 2015 Fabia on the Nurburgring and the first spyshots of the car are out in the open. Skoda has based the new Fabia on a tweaked version of the PQ25 platform, which is the same platform that underpins the outgoing model.

While initial reports claimed that the 2015 Fabia hatchback was to take cues from the Fabia 2000 rally going car in terms of design, the conservative lines on the camouflaged car indicate otherwise. Except for the rear of the car, which shows a significant departure from the current version’s styling, the rest of the car’s profile is similar to that of the outgoing model, albeit with enlarged dimensions intended to liberate more space for its occupants.

In a nutshell, the 2015 Fabia appears to be a car that is aimed more a practicality and spacious-ness than one with an outright sporty demeanor. Mechanically, the car is expected to gain new turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines. In Europe, the 1.2 liter HTP naturally aspirated petrol motor is likely to make way for the 1 liter-3 cylinder TSI turbo petrol motor while the 1.2 liter-3 pot TDI turbo diesel motor will make way for another 3 potter, the new 1.4 liter TDI diesel.

To maximize fuel efficiency, the 2015 Fabia is likely to come with start-stop, low resistance tyres and brake energy regeneration technologies. The car will continue to be positioned as Skoda’s entry level model, and will sit under the Rapid sedan in terms of price and positioning. In the Indian context, Skoda will reintroduce the 2015 Fabia next year, perhaps with the new 1.5 liter-4 cylinder TDI motor that the Volkswagen group has developed for the facelifted Polo and Vento models, which also share the PQ25 platform with the Fabia.

On the inside, expect a step up in the quality of materials used and a refresh in the overall design of the dashboard. Cues from the 2013 Octavia are expected to filter down to the 2015 Fabia. Also, the infotainment system is likely to see a major revamp with youth-centric features as Skoda wants to tap into younger buyers for its entry-level car. The coming months are expected to throw more light on what the 2015 Fabia will offer in terms of features and creature comforts.

Spyshots courtesy AutoEvolution