Mar 26, 2008 11:23 PM
17693 Views
(Updated Apr 05, 2008 08:01 PM)
Let's get something straight - I was one of the Fabia fanatics, waiting with cheerleader pom poms at Skoda dealerships, in eager anticipation of India's first PREMIUM hatch. I was, in fact, the first person to see the Fabia, alongwith the dealership's owner on it's day of delivery.
To say that I left disappointed would be an understatement.
My 5 main concerns after my test drive are:
1) PRICE - At 8+ lacs on road Mumbai for a Diesel small car? Are you kidding me?!? Who in their right mind would pay that? Sure stubborn Fabia advocates will throw the whole "niche" market arguement out there, but the honest truth is thatthe car is 1 - 1.25 lacs overpriced. And to rub more salt in the wound, it doesn't even offer Automatic Climate Control!
2) NOISE - The only way I can illustrate how noisy this car is, is to ask you to stand next to a 2 year old Tata Indica. That's because I have an old Tata Indica and the 3 cyl PD Diesel is JUST as noisy. Not a little less.JUST as noisy. I was shocked at the lack of insulation/ refinement. Unlike the Swift Diesel that can hardly be heard at a stoplight, make no mistake, your neighbors at the traffic lights will know which fuel you use.perhaps the cars at the light ahead of you will too?
3) POWER - Another example of Skoda India's poor decision making. Did you know that the 1.4 L 3 Cyl Turbo Charged engine sold by the VAG group, parent company of Skoda, is available in two configurations - a 68 Horsepower version that is sold in India ANDa 78 Horsepower version that get's better mileage/ emissions?
When I drove the Fabia, it felt adequately powered at mid range revs but NOT till the revs built higher to about 2200 rpms. Till 2200 rpms, I was disappointed with the throttle response and as comparison 0-60 times have shown, FIATs 1.3 Multijet has it beat.
4) SPACE - The car is spacious and the car is cramped. So far, no small car I've sat in beats the Indica for space. None. This car, does have room but its not meant for more than 4 people. You can't seat a 3rd person in the rear seat because a plastic center rear console would create alot of bottom pain:)
5) 14 INCH WHEELS -The Fabia is sold internationally with 15 inch wheels/ tires. The Fabia in India is sold with 14 inchers. The naive viewer will think that has something to do with ride quality. That is, simply naive. The truth is simply: Cost cutting. The Fabia is perfectly capable of riding on 15 inch rubber in India. Give Skoda some time, I'm pretty sure they'll wisen up just like GM did with the Optra(read my Optra review) and just like a couple other car manufacturers did
Three Things I like about the Fabia:
1) RIDE/ BUILD QUALITY - Simply put, nothing beats it. Not the Palio or even the Indica. Infact, there are C segment cars that are beaten. There are plenty of articles of praise, so I won't dwell on this
2) INTERIOR/ EXTERIOR FINISH- Again, unbeatable. Especially on the top of the line Diesel variant. The beige/ black contrast is very pleasing and the interiors put a smile on my face. The sunroof is another first for this segment and, though small, is definately eye candy. Projector headlamps on the car were designed to house HID aka Xenon lights, but cheap ol' Skoda India placed regular Halogens in there instead.
3) TECHNOLOGY -Pretty high for India. Sunroof, iPod Jack, Rear Parking Sensors, Projector Headlights, Dash display and a decent integrated Sound system are nice haves BUT NO Automatic AC controller, NO HID bulbs to go into the projector housing etc. are sore points
All in all, I'd give this product a 6.5/ 10. The price is the main reason why I cancelled my booking and decided to wait for Skoda to wisen up. The noise and tight fisted trim levels on the part of the company didn't help either:)
