Ian Lamming sports the latest Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo…
THE boy utters the immortal words, “is this a sports car daddy?”
No, no, no, no, no, have you learned nothing son from years of travelling in test cars, I think to myself. But instead of vocalising what could have been seen as a putdown I simper in a patronising fashion adding: “No son, it’s a Skoda Fabia.”
How could he be so adrift? I mean this is a modestly priced, small hatchback, isn’t it? But then I begin to analyse his ‘mistake’ and realise he’s not that far off the mark after all.
First there’s the bright coloured livery and smart 17in diamond cut alloy wheels; well they are quite sporty. This Monte Carlo model also gets a chequered flag or two on the wings with all their associated sportiness.
The overall look now fits with the rest of the Skoda range. Fabia has lost its top hat on wheels proportions and now looks squat with a deep bold grille and sports bumpers. There are sill extensions and an air diffuser at the rear, again all very sporty.
Under the bonnet is a 1.5 litre turbocharged four cylinder which shoves out 150PS. Given its light weight this is more than enough to make the Fabia feel peppy, especially when it is coupled to the brilliant seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, with its ultra-quick changes and general responsiveness; my boy’s words are starting to make sense.
Then there’s the great ride, super-sharp steering and excellent levels of grip. It is starting to do a passable impression of a sports car – he’s not wrong.
The three spoke leather steering wheel is multifunctional and the pedals are aluminium. Link the six-speaker hi-fi to your phone and your favourite sounds and it’s happy days in the Fabia. Continuing the sporty pretensions there is carbon effect decorative trim and side panels as well as a virtual dashboard.
Specification is high and includes touchscreen, dual zone air conditioning with climatronic electronic control and a rearview camera. There are sports seats and full LED lights with cornering function. Fabia really does want for nothing.
It’s hard to believe that a Skoda Fabia could be this much fun to drive but it is. It’s also a very easy car to live with because the interior is smart and functional yet has everything you actually need including infotainment and satnav. It is so easy and instinctive to operate that you can actually concentrate on enjoying your driving rather than be distracted by the tech.
Skodas are always well thought out and designed and the Fabia is no exception. It’s the little things in life that you appreciate like the chunky grab handle in the interior of the tailgate so you don’t have to get your hands dirty touching the exterior or rip you nails off slipping as you close the hatch. The interior door handles are so tactile. They are colourful, chunky and well-shaped and you find yourself hanging onto them just because you can.
Brolleys in the doors are now a Skoda legend and the button on the steering wheel which switches off the lane keep assist is most welcome. The boot also features simple hooks which you can use to hang your shopping bags on preventing spillage – pure genius.
So, not for the first time, the boy has actually got it right: he does know his stuff after all and the new Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo really is as sporty as he suggests.
Just don’t tell him will you, I’ll never hear the end of it.
