With 148bhp, the new Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo is the most powerful Fabia since 2010's Fabia VRS - can it match the charm of that hot hatch?
Inside, it’s nicely done. It's not over the top, but Skoda has made enough effort to justify the special badge. There are plenty of red plastic highlights and the carbon-effect trim on the doors and dashboard set it apart from the regular hatch. It also comes with sport seats, which are comfy and surprisingly grippy. The Monte Carlo is £600 more than the regular 1.0 SE L, so hardly a bank-breaking range-topper.
The 1.5 is definitely the engine to get. It’s available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic only, and oddly doesn’t get any flappy paddles despite the rallying association, but it’s largely a smooth and easy motor to live with. The torque kicks in from 2000rpm and there’s plenty of low-down punch for whatever sort of journey you’re on.
It doesn’t reward full-on driving, though. There is a manual override for the gearbox, worked via the lever itself, but it doesn’t increase the interaction by a vast amount. And please, Skoda, if you’re going to fit a manual shift option to a car named after the Monte Carlo rally, make sure the changes go the correct way: upshifts should be pulled back, not pushed forwards.
Above 4500rpm, things get a bit boomy and raucous, so it's better to let the turbo do the work from lower revs and relax into the Fabia’s comfort-focused chassis.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wizards trade Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith; land point guard Monte MorrisThe Wizards are finalizing a deal that will send guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith to Denver in exchange for point guard Monte Morris and wing Will Barton.
Read more »
Marc Jacobs Fall 2022 Ready-to-Wear CollectionMarc Jacobs Fall 2022 Ready-to-Wear collection, runway looks, beauty, models, and reviews.
Read more »
Autocar magazine 29 June 2022: on sale now | AutocarJaguar's future revealed, Red Bull's hypercar detailed and more: Autocar magazine 29 June 2022 is on sale now
Read more »
From undocumented immigrant to registered voter: Documentary narrates journey of Arizona activistMasavi Perea-Montes de Oca, organizing director for Chispa Arizona, became a naturalized citizen in April 2022. The same day, he registered to vote.
Read more »
Review: 2022 Ford Bronco Everglades wades deeper off-roadThe 2022 Ford Bronco Everglades raises the SUV’s breather tubes and adds a standard winch enabling enthusiasts to traverse the water and muck with ease.
Read more »
2022 Ford Bronco Everglades First Drive | Half Bronco, half boatOur 2022 Ford Bronco Everglades review shows how it's different from other versions, its background and how it drives.
Read more »