Driving report: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo

The Skoda Fabia is one of the most popular small cars in Europe. Now the VW subsidiary is bringing back the Monte Carlo sports version, which has been available in previous Fabia models since 2011.

During the World Rally Championship the bustling Skoda Fabia is always good for a podium finish. Of course, the powerful all-wheel drive sports machine has very little to do with the production car. The civil Fabia has more of the image of a well-behaved car for small families, but it is also popular with more mature semesters. Now those interested in sports of all ages can again access the 4,10 meter four-door that appeared in the spring. And get a nominal rally feeling as a logo on the side. "Monte Carlo" is there and also shows a stylized checkered flag. More symbols are not possible.

The famous "Monte", after all one of the best known rallies of the world, is the preferred terrain of the flawless power version of the Fabia, which is often at the top of the World Championship podium in this rapid form of stick-and-stone locomotion. Of course, the bridge to high-performance sport should now be built with street cars for normal people. However, this is only partially due to the muscles under the short hood, since the 115 kW/150 hp three-cylinder engine already powers other Fabia versions.

Driving report: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo
versions fired. It depends on the special design. The black finish on the sills, radiator grille, exterior mirror housings, the 16-inch aluminum wheels or the so-called rear diffuser impart a sinister sporting spirit

It depends on the special design. The black finish on the sills, radiator grille, exterior mirror housings, the 16-inch aluminum wheels or the so-called rear diffuser impart a sinister sporting spirit. In front, this Fabia blinks from LED headlights. The roof color also makes the difference, always combining the paint finishes that can be ordered with black. The interior offers sports seats, a leather steering wheel in a sports design and pedals with a stainless steel look. The basic tone of the innards is of course pitch black again, but it gets through bright red decorative strips on the instrument panel, above the side door shelves or on the center console. LED ambient lighting creates the right mood even in cloudy weather and at night.

Driving report: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo
The basic tone of the innards is of course also pitch black again, but is prettied up with bright red decorative strips on the instrument panel, above the side door shelves or on the center console

It gets even better outside of cities and towns. Sport mode comes into play on the first drive around the factory in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic. Now the dual-clutch transmission turns its seven gears higher, the Sound swells, but is never tinny despite the three-cylinder modesty. The Fabia does justice to its looks, changing the bread-and-butter determination in the direction of fun and sport. Amazing what such small cars can do today. Convincing brakes, directional stability in curves of all kinds and the dowry to the driver, sometimes the proverbial one bristle cattle let out what has to stay in the stable in everyday life. Later in Eco or Normal mode, the Fabia transforms back into an everyday car, can pack a lot in relation to its external dimensions and saves a long search when looking for a parking space. In addition, the Monte Carlo properly equipped and can be upgraded with various packages, for example assistance systems. What then, however, his Base price of 26.400 euros pushes further up.

Back on the factory premises, half an hour's drive from Prague, there is still an official date for the "Monte Carlo" on. He is godfather to his big brother, the new one Fabia RS Rally2, which is set to rake in pro points next season. This Bolide however, has a two-liter turbo engine, 214 kW/289 hp, a torque of 430 Newton meters and all-wheel drive. If you want to buy it, you should blow up the famous casino in Monte Carlo first. The super athlete costs around 190.000 Euros.

Driving report: Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo
The model for the special model is the rally vehicle with which Skoda is once again taking part in the Monte

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1,5 TSI - technical data

Five-door compact hatchback, length: 4,11 m, width: 1,78 m (without exterior mirrors), height: 1,48 m. Wheelbase: 2,56 m, trunk volume: 380 - 1.190 liters.

1,5 liter three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 110 kW/150 hp, max. torque: 200 Nm at 2.000 - 3.000 rpm, 7-speed double clutch automatic, one-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, 0 - 100 km/h: 9,6, 205 seconds. Vmax: 7,6 km/h. Standard consumption (WLTP): 5,3 - 100 l/XNUMX km, CO2-Emission: 153 -120 g/100 km., emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: not specified price: from 26.400 euros

Other engines with the same look: one-liter three-cylinder petrol engines from 59 kW/80 hp to 81 kW/110 hp. Prices from 21.500 to 25.300 euros.

Why: Because it is simply a fun vehicle away from everyday life
Why not: Because the question of a small car as a sports car no longer really arises
When is it coming: Can already be ordered
What else: Its group siblings Polo GTI or Seat Ibiza FR 1,5 TSI, maybe the Ford Fiesta ST

Peter Maahn / SP-X

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