KEY POINTS:
How to describe Skoda's place in the New Zealand market in the past few years? James Yeats, general manager of the local operation, sums it up as "flatlining". Some pretty decent cars but a lack of pizzazz throughout the range has kept the Czech brand well under 200
sales per year for the past four years - clearly unsustainable.
Skoda importer European Motor Distributors hopes that sales situation will turn around this year.
For a start, the latest Octavia - based on the Volkswagen platform - is now well-established as the core of the line-up. And it's being flanked by bright young things such as the new Fabia supermini, fresh out of the box from Europe and based on the platform of the yet-to-be-seen new-gen VW Polo.
While the Fabia isn't expected to take over as the biggest seller for Skoda here, it's off to a good start.
The local Skoda team has successfully tendered for a Housing New Zealand contract to supply 52 diesel-powered Fabias for rural use.
A nice way to kick off, but they may be kicking themselves they didn't get the extra 80- plus-cars urban contract for the same Govern- ment depart- ment, which was secured by the Mit- subishi Colt.
Diesel power is under- stood to be a fac- tor in Housing NZ's decision and the $27,990 three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI is the standout model in the range.
It's a gruff little thing, but performance is eager and the 59kW/195Nm machine is capable of returning 4.6 litres per 100km in the European Combined fuel economy cycle.
Standard equipment across the range includes six airbags, anti-lock braking with traction control, chilled glovebox, alloy wheels and an eight-speaker stereo with auxiliary input.
However, the Fabia still suffers from that European-diesel bugbear: no automatic transmission. Sole shifter for the TDI is a five-speed manual (also a factor in the Housing NZ decision to reject the Fabia TDI for city use).
If you want to go automatic you'll have to opt for the 77kW/153Nm 1.6-litre petrol model.
At $29,990 it's more expensive than the diesel but you get a six-speed gearbox and hit 100km/h nearly two seconds quicker. Combined economy is a less impressive 10.2 litres per 100km.
Other extra kit on the petrol model includes stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, climate control for the air con (the TDI is manual), multi-function steering wheel and side mouldings on the body. Suddenly, that extra $2000 is not looking like such bad value.
The Fabia is 22mm longer than the old model and provides adult-sized accommodation in the rear.
As you'd expect of a VW Group product, it has a real "big-car" feel on the road, with supple ride and stable handling. While not all cabin materials are top-notch, the build quality is certainly as good as any VW, perhaps better.
It's neat-looking as well - if not exactly original. The second-generation Fabia looks like a cross between a Suzuki Swift and the new Mini, itself an inspiration for Swift, with blacked-out pillars and a "floating" roof.
You can even order the roof panel in white, so at least Skoda is being honest about its styling homage.