Geneva Motor Show 2018: Skoda Fabia gets mid-life updates

Skoda has given its popular Fabia hatchback a mid-life refresh with LED headlights and a new interior. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2018, the Fabia will be petrol-power only and start in the region of £10,495 when it goes on sale in the summer.

Skoda has declared that its 1.0-litre petrol engines are on par with the economy and performance of any compact diesel. The three-cylinder engine range starts with the naturally aspirated MPI petrols - with 60PS or 70PS - while the turbocharged TSI engines - now fitted with a petrol particulate filter - will produce 95PS or 110PS. 

Skoda hasn't released any economy figures for the updated Fabia, but expect it to match the efficiency of the outgoing model with the MPI engines returning an advertised 57.6mpg and 110g/km of CO2, while the more-powerful TSIs will provide up to 64.2mpg and 101g/km. 

LED headlights and taillights will make it to the options list and active driver assistance will be bolstered by a new rear traffic alert system that will warn the driver of approaching vehicles when reversing. Blind spot detection and light assist - which automatically switches from high to low beam when oncoming traffic is detected – will also be available. 

The revised cabin will provide more comfort and convenience. The most-notable update will be the addition of a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen that will, when equipped with the ’Amundsen ’ navigation, offer real time traffic updates on delays. 

As before, the Fabia will have one of the largest and most-practical cabins of any small hatch. The interior will have plenty of head and legroom for four large adults, while the hatchback will provide 330 litres of bootspace with the rear seats in place. The estate bodystyle adds 200 litres to the boot, for which you’ll pay around £1000 extra

Skoda is promising more ‘Simply Clever’ features too. The ice scraper concealed in the fuel filler flap, for example, will have a gauge for measuring the tyre tread depth and USB ports will be available for the rear passengers so they can charge mobile devices. The seats will get new materials with two-tone upholstery finishes, while the Fabia estate can be specified with a new double-sided boot mat with a rubber cover that will be easier to clean.