New Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo arrives as sporty range topper
The new Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo brings bigger alloys and a body kit to the line-up – but with no vRS model planned, it’s the sportiest version we’ll get
Skoda has unveiled the sportiest version of its Fabia supermini yet with this new Monte Carlo trim level. The new specification is due to go on sale in the UK later this year, giving the hatchback a sharper look inside and out - and more power.
Fans will be familiar with the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo’s design tweaks, as they’re almost identical to every other Monte Carlo model in the brand’s range. Changes include new 17-inch alloy wheels, a deeper front bumper, wider side skirts and a more aggressive rear unit featuring diffuser-style insert. The radiator grille and mirror caps have been swapped for black replacements, too.
The Monte Carlo also features more standard equipment than the regular Fabia, with LED headlights, front fog lights and privacy glass all bundled into the package. Skoda offers a contrasting black roof, upgraded LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels as optional extras, too.
The interior also receives a racier makeover, with buyers benefiting from sports seats, a leather-trimmed handbrake and gearstick gaiter, stainless steel pedal covers, red stitching for the upholstery and a new sports steering wheel with a ‘Monte Carlo’ badge. Skoda has also added some red inserts to the dash and door cards, as well as some carbon fibre-style trim.
When it comes to technology, Skoda has made sure the Fabia Monte Carlo stands above its siblings. Rather than the 6.5-inch infotainment system found on the base model, buyers get an eight-inch screen as standard. A larger 9.2-inch screen with gesture control can be specified as an optional extra, as can a 10.25-inch digital dash.
Other options include a heated steering wheel, a heated windscreen and a wireless smartphone charger. Skoda even offers up to five USB-C sockets for the Fabia’s cabin - one of which is mounted on the rear-view mirror, which the company says is ideally placed for easy installation of a dashcam.
Under the bonnet the Fabia Monte Carlo will be available with a choice of two engines. The first is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that produces 108bhp and 200Nm of torque, mated as standard to a six-speed manual gearbox, or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as an option.
The former delivers a 0-62mph time of 10 seconds flat, while the latter shaves one tenth of a second from the benchmark sprint. Top speed is 127mph, while fuel economy stands between 52.3 and 57.6mpg.
The fastest model in the range is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 148bhp and 250Nm of torque; this 1.5 TSI Evo unit is not currently listed on Skoda’s Fabia pricelist and will become the hottest model in the line-up, because the brand won’t offer a vRS hot hatch
This 1.5 TSI Evo unit is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, giving the car a 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds.
Fuel economy is also only slightly lower than the three-cylinder at 50.4mpg, thanks to a cylinder deactivation system which shuts down two of the engine’s cylinders under light loads. CO2 emissions are comparatively low, too, ranging between 127 and 138g/km.
Prices for the new Fabia Monte Carlo haven’t yet been confirmed. However, the trim level usually sits at the top of the brand’s model ranges, which means prices could start from around £21,000 for Skoda’s Ford Fiesta ST-Line and Volkswagen Polo R Line rival.
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