Skoda Fabia Greenline 2009 Pictures 
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Skoda has come a long way since first introducing the Fabia seven years ago. Now, with the addition of a Greenline model, the company has significantly improved the eco credentials of its entry-level model.
By JD Van Zyl
Existing models that are revised to be kinder to the polar bears are nothing new. VW has its Bluemotion models, Renault Eco2 and Seat Ecomotive. Skoda calls theirs the Greenline range and, like its competitors, its main attractions are impressive fuel economy and slashed CO2 figures. In the Fabia line-up – fitted with a 1.4-litre TDI PD 80bhp engine – it has resulted in the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly car the company has ever produced.
To achieve this feat, the company tweaked the aerodynamics of the Fabia – lowering the bumper and adding a panel under the chassis to improve airflow – dropped the suspension, optimised the drivetrain and shaved some weight off. And the results are pretty impressive.
Its combined fuel consumption is a brilliant 68.9mpg (7.5mpg more than the consumption of the standard Fabia 2 with the same engine but without the diesel particulate filter) and CO2 emissions have been trimmed to 109g/km (down from 120g/km on the standard model) to place it in VED Band B.
Sadly Skoda didn’t manage to prune it below the all important 99g/km notch where owners are free of paying road tax – especially since sister companies VW and Seat managed that with their Polo Bluemotion and Ibiza ECOmotive respectively. Both are powered by the same 1.4-litre diesel powertrain.
Over the past few years Skoda has built an enviable reputation for creating happy customers. In this year’s JD Power Owner Satisfaction Survey, the company slotted into a stellar fourth spot – ahead of luxury brands Porsche, Audi, BMW and Jaguar. Fabia drivers are also taken with their Fabias, which was placed in number seven in the Supermini category, ahead of the VW Polo, Seat Ibiza and Peugeot 207.
And Greenline buyers will be equally chuffed with their purchase. The build quality of the Fabia is top notch and it scores high in the practicality department with a load capacity of 460 litres which can extend to 1,460 litres with the rear seats folded. The materials are not of the soft touch kind, but everything feels of good quality and is solidly put together.
Standard equipment levels are high and includes four airbags, air conditioning, electric front windows and remote central locking. In all departments this Fabia scores high, especially since it is priced at only £355 more than the comparing Fabia 2 Estate. Where it does come up a touch short though, is on the road.
To squeeze the maximum number of miles from the tank, Skoda has stretched the gear ratios. On the motorway this makes perfect sense and ensures a low rpm which in turn ensures decent fuel economy. But when driving about town, the longer ratios require a lot of gear changes to hustle the Fabia along.
But that aside, the the Fabia Greenline presents cracking value with an on the road price of £12,950. A very capable eco warrior indeed.
Tech Specs: Skoda Fabia Greenline
Engine Type: 1.4-litre TDI PD + DPF
Max. power: 80bhp
Max torque: 195Nm
0-62mph: 13.7 sec.
Top speed : 105mph
Fuel economy (combined): 68.9mpg
CO2-emissions: 109g/km
Website: www.skoda.co.uk
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