Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo adds extra show but no more go

Skoda's Fabia supermini gains a dose of extra style, as the Monte Carlo variant goes on sale from £14,645 for the hatch and £16,140 for the estate. The special edition adds sportier detailing inside and out, but doesnt bring with it any more power.

It's disappointing news for hot hatch fans, as since Skoda is ruling out another hot Fabia vRS the Monte Carlo will be as racy as things get. It's available with the same range of petrol and diesel engines as the standard hatch, with the most powerful unit currently on offer the 110bhp 1.2 TSI turbo petrol.

Based on the regular Fabia SE model, the Monte Carlo package adds gloss black 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, optional sports suspension to firm up the ride, some black design touches – including black wing mirror housings – tinted front and rear windows, and a darker panoramic roof.

15

Continuing the theme inside, the Fabia Monte Carlo features a sportier three-spoke leather steering wheel, black interior trim and sports seats with Skoda’s ‘individual design’. This amounts to contrasting flashes of colour on the sides of the seat base, and a different coloured gear lever surround.

Under the bright lights of Skoda’s Geneva Motor show stand, these images show that the styling changes give the angular-looking Fabia a more aggressive look, but unlike several rivals and its VW Polo sister car, there won't be anything to tempt keen drivers.

15

Equipment levels are good, with manual air-conditioning and rear parking sensors fitted as standard. The car also gets all of Skoda’s neat and practical ‘simply clever’ touches, such as a mobile phone holder on the side of the front seat, an adjustable boot layout, an ice scraper in the fuel filler flap and plenty of in-car storage. If you’re after even more practicality, the Monte Carlo is also available in estate guise.