Geneva Preview: Skoda Fabia becomes a Scout, goes camping
by Noah Joseph on Feb 17th 2009 at 3:28PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Skoda Fabia Scout
When the Volkswagen Group and all its many subsidiaries roll through Switzerland in a couple of weeks, the new Audi A4 allroad quattro and Saab 9-3X won't be the only ruggedized wagons in town, as renderings of the new Skoda Fabia Scout have surfaced.
Based on the existing Fabia Kombi wagon, the jacked-up Fabia joins Scout versions of the Octavia and Roomster as well as the new Yeti crossover that Skoda will also be unveiling in production form at the Geneva Motor Show. What sets the Fabia Scout apart from its street-bound counterparts is the body-cladding and bigger wheels, so don't go poking around underneath for an all-wheel-drive system. Six different engines – three gasoline and three diesels – are on offer, along with a utile 1460 liters of cargo room with the rear seats folded flat.
Gallery: Skoda Fabia Scout
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JD 3:41PM (2/17/2009)
After seeing the hood, headlamps and part of the grill, I almost let out a "BM...".
Reply
monkeykat2 3:41PM (2/17/2009)
I'm only commenting because I feel bad that nobody has commented yet --- and fear that no one will...
Reply
monkeykat2 3:43PM (2/17/2009)
i typed too soon
JD 3:47PM (2/17/2009)
Only a few seconds too soon.
We posted within the same minute.
dukeisduke 3:56PM (2/17/2009)
"What sets the Fabia Scout apart from its street-bound counterparts is the body-cladding and bigger wheels, so don't go poking around underneath for an all-wheel-drive system."
So I guess this means that rock-crawling is out.
Reply
Markus 4:22PM (2/17/2009)
As much as I love my '07 Fabia Wagon TDI (prev. gen.), this is actually pretty sad. Seriously, the only thing "Scout" about it is the plastic lower body armor? Come on, even the Octavia Scout at least gets more clearance and awd. And I am one of the people who actually prefer softroader/allroads/cuv-wagon-crossovers to CUVs/SUVs.
Maybe they could at least offer a free walking stick with it. Or an LL Bean gift certificate. Or a compass on a key chain. Anything.
Reply
Kitko 4:27PM (2/17/2009)
While standard Fobia (pun intended) is ugly enough, this is simply ridiculous.
Of course, the Czechs will flood dealers' courts because they'd be able to pack in a cement mixer and the kids at the same time in a blind faith they'd go domestic and an illusion they'd get it cheaply.
Reply
Tal 4:46PM (2/17/2009)
I don't see your point. The Fabia is a great little car with Polo underpinnings and VW engines. While the Wagon version is a bit on the odd side, the hatchback looks great, especially with a cool white-painted roof!
Yaroukh 4:56PM (2/17/2009)
on the other hand the slovak car-makers..., oh wait...
rickhamilton620 4:54PM (2/17/2009)
I actually like the way it looks, esp. in that color.
Reply
Gilbert 4:58PM (2/17/2009)
Scout? Really? where's all the rust?
Reply
Joe 5:14PM (2/17/2009)
Skoda?
I first heard its name.
Is it another division of toyota?
Reply
Daur 5:15PM (2/17/2009)
i think it look good. it needs to be a little bit cheaper than its competitors to get some attention.
Reply
inline6 5:38PM (2/17/2009)
Word to Volkswagen AG:
You wouldn't have to worry about mass-market product offerings that fit out size/pricing structures in the US if you offered Skoda here.
If VW brought over its Skoda lineup, they'd be able to hit the low price/mainstream market head-on, with cars that are built at lower overheads than VWs are. That way, VW could offer its traditionally slightly-upscale models, keep its euro-chic image and charge accordingly for it without having to a) cut prices to below profitability, b) cut quality by building in Mexico, or c) devise a set of US-specific vehicle designs and models which will only throw away the hard-fought brand equity of the current lineup, and all while the US market is in freefall mode.
VW hasn't been making great marketing/positioning decisions since the late '90s. And I think that it's culminated in their constant indecision about the Up!, the Gen2 New Beetle, the Phaeton, etc, as well as the recent push to make US-specific vehicle designs.
GM and Honda are CUTTING costs in a seriously down market by globalizing their vehicle designs, and making every future model eligible to be sold in every market. This is an excellent idea. VW - as a perfect example of German automaker hubris, is doing exactly the opposite at exactly the wrong time.
If it works, it works. But I have serious doubt that it will.
Reply
Kalle 10:53AM (2/18/2009)
Trust me, Americans. You really dont want Skoda there. They are crappy cars made for cheapskate Europeans that cannot or do not want to buy a Volkswagen- the interiors are terrible not to mention the lack of soundproofing. You almost need a pair of earmuffs to drive one of those!
About the subject of the blog post - Skoda Fabia - terrible car to drive as well. Even though the turbo diesel that the car I drove brought some nice low-end torque, on a windy day the car wobbles like a bobblehead doll when driving on a highway. And this goes for the standard version! I wonder how bad this can be as it is even higher up from the ground.
On a positive side Skoda does use a lot of VW technology but then again it is from a previous-gen VW.
Besides with the strong euro and heightening labor costs in Czech republic would put the price tag in the US relatively high.
P.V. 6:20PM (2/17/2009)
Interesting concept, though it looks quite like a last-generation Mazda Protegé wagon. I like it. It's plain/inoffensive, and it serves the purpose well.
Reply