Skoda's new Fabia is a little late getting to Ireland - the new small hatchback became one of the high-profile victims of the global microchip shortage, and Skoda Ireland announced last year that the Fabia, which should have launched last autumn, would be delayed until early 2022.
Microchips
"The market launch of the new Skoda Fabia in Ireland has been delayed due to the global shortage of microchips. Microchips are essential for the operation of a variety of vehicle features, from power steering and backup cameras to emergency braking systems" said Skoda Ireland's brand director John Donegan. "The new Fabia will feature the latest Infotainment and safety systems that are heavily reliant on microchips. As a result and with regret we have to advise that production of the new Fabia has been delayed for Ireland and as a consequence will not launch until early 2022."
Well, it's now officially early 2022 and the Fabia is at last here, with a starting price of €19,150. That will get you a 65hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol version in Active trim. Standard equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, driver drowsiness alert, emergency autonomous braking, tyre pressure monitoring, a speed limiter, air conditioning, automatic headlights, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone connection, LED headlights, and body-colour mirrors.
Top-spec 110hp engine
An Ambition model with the same engine will cost €20,350 (and comes with such equipment as 15-inch alloys, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather steering wheel, and rear parking sensors) while for €21,950 you can trade up to a Style model with an 80hp version of the 1.0 engine (which comes with 16-inch alloys, keyless entry and ignition, eight-inch touchscreen, all-round electric windows, and ambient lighting). For €22,350 you can have an Ambition-spec model with the turbocharged 95hp three-cylinder engine, while at the top of the range is the 110hp turbo engine with the DSG automatic gearbox which costs €25,750 in Style trim.
There will be a top-spec Monte Carlo version in the coming months, too.
Bigger boot
The new Fabia is bigger than it used to be. It's fractionally longer than 4.0 metres for the first time, as a result of switching to the new MQB-A0 platform (the same as you'll find under the SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo), and the boot - always a Skoda strong point - has grown to a Golf-matching 380 litres, a jump of 50 litres.
"The new Fabia provides the perfect entry to our range. The new Fabia has generous amounts of space, the highest levels of quality and safety, and excellent value for money - with an emotive design and exceptional fuel economy. I am convinced that this overall package will allow us to further strengthen our position in the entry-level segment and attract new customers to the brand," said Donegan.