Disdainful attitude towards compact hatchbacks In class in Russia there is only one exception. Skoda Fabia broke all popularity records, was desirable and popular. Only the release of the Solaris and Sandero hatchbacks and the localization of the co-platform Rapid with the change of model generations put an end to this success story.

We loved the car for its practicality, reckless handling and low price operation. However, there were plenty of complaints about reliability. In particular, in Europe the car received surprisingly low positions in reliability ratings. However, this did not hinder the success, because the car turned out to be very successful - Simply Clever as it is. There are excellent ergonomics in a surprisingly large interior and good trunk volume. The car also drove well - the handling was truly exemplary, just like its “relative” VW Polo, with which it shared the platform.

The set of power units corresponded to discerning European tastes: engines from naturally aspirated 1.2 to 1.4 with double supercharging with a power of 180 hp. s., in addition, options were offered with DSG boxes and with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

A little bit of history

Announced new model on the “all-Volkswagen” platform PQ 24 in March 2007 on Geneva Motor Show. Contrary to popular belief, at first it was considered only a development of the Roomster, which was released a little earlier, and did not create much of a sensation, because the design of the front part and the interior are completely the same. Buyers “tested” the car a little later.

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In Russia, the attitude towards Fabia was good from the very beginning - price policy The company was still very interesting in those years. As a result, “Audi for the poor” were in much higher demand than the “original” VW Polo, the price of which was very close to the prices of the Octavia Tour of those times. The choice of engines was initially limited to three-cylinder 1.2 and four-cylinder 1.4 and 1.6 engines. And of the diesel engines, only 1.4TDI and 1.9TDI with pump injectors were offered.

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But the success of the sports program generated demand for “charged” versions of the car, which appeared after the 2010 restyling. The cars were distinguished not only by the correction of minor defects, but also by a significantly expanded range of engines, which included the 1.2TSI and 1.4TSI engines, long known from other models of the concern. The range of diesel engines was supplemented with a compact and powerful 1.6 TDI, and the 1.4 diesel was replaced with a more powerful three-cylinder 1.2 engine, all with a CommonRail injection system and particulate filters. However, we have diesel cars were not officially sold.

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Russian sales accounted for a small share of the world's 1.2 million cars sold, but nevertheless the car turned out to be in great demand. And for our country the company was preparing a replacement in the person of Skoda models Rapid, which turned out to be cheaper due to deeper localization, and already plays in the B++ class - the market leader in sales. By the way, the Rapid's platform is still the same as that of the Fabia Mk 2, only after the last restyling did it appear power units EA 211 from the MQB platform.

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The steering is ideal if there is a version without power assistance, but such cars are practically never found. Most cars have an electric power steering system - a combination of a conventional hydraulic rack and an electric pump. The seal material and the not-so-successful oil fail; after five or six years and a mileage of 90-100 thousand kilometers it becomes heavily contaminated and the pump begins to howl. According to the regulations, replacement is not required, but it is better to do this immediately, since the oil is on sale, but any “Pentosin-compatible” liquid will do. When replacing by displacement, only a liter will be required, and there is a good chance that the electric pump will continue to live for a long time. If you persistently listen to the howling, the pump will periodically turn off and eventually die completely. Judging by practice, it cannot be restored - you will need at least 25 thousand rubles for replacement. In addition, “for company”, most likely, the rack will also fail - wear products from the pump will get into the seals.

The electric booster appeared on restyled cars, but is relatively rare and has not been seen in any particular trouble. It is probably worth paying attention to the wiring, as with other similar devices.

Transmission

Most of the Fabia with manual boxes gears and from the point of view of operational reliability - this is very good. After all, the mechanics on them are quite good, except that with engines 1.2 TSI and 1.6 gearboxes they reach their strength threshold. But with 1.4 there are no more problems.

1.4 engines have the best possible for Fabia piston group. The 1.6 has shorter T-shaped pistons and all the familiar problems occur Polo owners Seadan with CFNA series engines – slight scuffing of cylinders and pistons, rapid wear valves, and the chain is sometimes noisy and sometimes jumps, especially on versions with an old front engine cover and an old type of chain and tensioners.

The main problems with engines are the thermostat, poor quality of gaskets and seals, very slow warming up and difficulties with choosing oil. For short runs, oils with a viscosity of SAE 30 are highly recommended, but if the car sits a lot in traffic jams, then it is better to pour SAE 40 or even SAE 50 - very narrow crankshaft journals and low operating pressure oils make it sensitive to loss of viscosity. In addition, the radiators are rather weak and get dirty easily.

Another procedure for replacing spark plugs provokes failure. individual coils ignition, this is a consumable. The engine management system on the 1.4 Magneti Marelli 4HV can be a bit of a hassle and can be difficult to diagnose. Motors are very sensitive to pollution throttle valve and pressure fuel pump– a power supply system without a return line is used. The fuel pump, by the way, is frankly rather weak; it is often replaced with Bosch from VAZ models, and it seems that this is a good replacement for the original.

Under the hood Š Koda Fabia GreenLine UK-spec (5J) "2009–10

The design of three-cylinder 1.2 engines, which are the leaders in popularity, is much less successful. The timing chain here is almost the same as on 1.6 engines, but it is more heavily loaded due to the presence of a balancer shaft drive. Its resource is consistently less than 100 thousand kilometers, which usually becomes a very big surprise for the owners. In addition, the motor is all-aluminum, with nickasil-coated sleeves. It uses durable Nikasil, and not Alusil, like other manufacturers, but there are problems with it, especially if the piston rings are destroyed, which, unfortunately, happens.

However, in most cases, oil appetite is caused by the presence of rings and their severe wear. The designers' selection of materials for the rings was not very successful, and the pistons simply rub off on the hard coating of the cylinder. For some reason, most owners of VW and Skoda cars believe that engine oil consumption is normal, and car service employees agree with them. But if you persistently add oil, the engine will wear off, and then the crankshaft will “spin” and the engine will go to the trash heap. Surprisingly, just in case, the manufacturer even produces repair sizes for pistons, although few people undertake to sharpen Nikasil, and the price for repair sizes is steep - during overhauls they often install sleeves from VAZ.

Working temperature The 1.2 engine is also a little high, but it only warms up to it in traffic jams - the thermostat also fails. The problems with the throttle are almost the same as on engines 1.4 and 1.6, but the engine control system here tolerates light contamination more easily. By the way, vibration on a three-cylinder engine is often not “doubling”, but signs of the end of the timing belt - due to impacts in it, it cuts off a key on balance shaft. With oil, the features are the same as those of the older “brothers”, and even the load on the liners is higher; in general, you need to monitor the oil quality and pressure. At the slightest sign of lack of pressure, measure and look for the cause.

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The appetite for oil on the 1.2 engine is weak, difficulties with the liners are rare, but on the other hand there are additional troubles associated with the supercharging system - short fuel injection pump life, sensitivity to fuel quality, contamination of injectors, turbine breakdowns (especially on cars produced before 2013) and failures of the air intercooling system. But the traction is excellent, and the engine is very economical. The 1.4 engine has a much more complex supercharging system and is prone to piston burnouts, but this is unlikely to stop someone who wants a Fabia RS.

What to take?

Simple design and quite high quality performance makes the Skoda Fabia Mk 2 very good choice like “every day” cars. Quite pleasant to drive, it will not cause much trouble if the configuration is simple and the mileage is not cosmic. This is especially true for 1.4 engines, which can clearly be considered the best option.

In the photo: Škoda Fabia RS (5J) "2010–13

The more powerful 1.6 engine is a little more troublesome due to the unsuccessful timing chain assembly, but with careful operation it will please both the second and third owner. But cars with very common 1.2 engines can cause a lot of trouble. They have enough power for a leisurely ride, but the problem is with the resource. And often you can’t get away with a cheap rebuild; they are simply neglected to such a state that it’s easier to buy a new one. With an oil appetite of half a liter per thousand kilometers, owners often miss the oil level - thanks to the small crankcase volume. Many drivers, instead of a full repair, change the piston rings and sell the car, but such repairs will not last long if the Nikasil already has risks and abrasions. And if you like this particular option, then be very vigilant.

If you have your eye on fresh and expensive cars with a 1.2 TSI engine, for example, in the fashionable Monte Carlo configuration, then just remember that the turbo engine does not forgive errors in maintenance, and the seven-speed DSG simply attracts problems, so try to find a copy with minimal mileage and a well-known “biography”.

Minor electrical failures will irritate those who do not know how to deal with problems on their own, because in most cases the owners will be girls. But in essence, this is not a big deal, because large expenses can be easily avoided if you have a competent professional. If you know about the operating features of the electric power steering system, the tendency to damage the door wiring, the weakness of the fuel pump, thermostat and the characteristics of the engines, then the cost of operation will be low. And if you also carefully monitor the body and eliminate pockets of corrosion in a timely manner, without relying on stories about the mythical double galvanization, then the car will last a very long time.

Would you buy a Skoda Fabia?

Modifications of Skoda Fabia 5J

Skoda Fabia 5J 1.2MT

Skoda Fabia 5J 1.2 MT 70 hp

Skoda Fabia 5J 1.2 TSI DSG

Skoda Fabia 5J 1.4MT

Skoda Fabia 5J 1.6MT

Skoda Fabia 5J 1.6 AT

Odnoklassniki Skoda Fabia 5J price

Unfortunately, this model has no classmates...

Reviews from Skoda Fabia 5J owners

Skoda Fabia 5J, 2010

For three years Skoda operation Fabia 5J changed engine oil, windshield washer fluid, filter and that's it. In conditions of constant rise in price Skoda fuel Fabia 5J - best option. Fuel consumption at cruising speed is 5-5.5 liters per 100 km. In the city it’s a little more - up to 7-8 liters (unless, of course, you jerk away from a traffic light like a horse after the blow of a whip). The trunk is spacious enough for its class, and when folded rear seats, then in fact you have half the interior at your disposal, and you can fit quite a lot of things there. This car will be especially convenient for our beautiful ladies. Great value prices and quality. In his Skoda class Fabia 5J is the best option in terms of spaciousness both in the interior and trunk, in terms of ground clearance. The car fits three adults and an infant, a large dog, a stroller and bags from the supermarket. In winter, no problems in the city, only outside the city in deep snow may get stuck. A very playful car, despite its small engine size.

Advantages : excellent handling, efficiency, low consumption fuel, inexpensive operation, excellent interior heating.

Flaws : Have not found.

Igor, Moscow

Skoda Fabia 5J, 2011

I liked the Skoda Fabia 5J because of the quality of the panels in the interior of this car. The plastic felt very pleasant to the touch. We were pleased with the simple and convenient adjustments. There are no squeaks or crackles while driving. The 1.6-liter engine demonstrates very good, fast and peppy performance. The thrust is very decent, and what is most important is that it is not particularly gluttonous. And if you turn it all the way and also quickly change gears, then not everyone will be able to keep up. The advantages of this machine lie, first of all, in the level of quality (this is exactly what rare case optimal correspondence of cost to quality level), reliability (although it is still possible to draw conclusions), availability (we are talking about maintenance and costs for it). As soon as I compared the cost of spare parts and maintenance for the Skoda Fabia 5J, it became clear that in this sense “Fabia” better than any Korean car. TO Skoda advantages Fabia 5J also comes with a warranty and an extensive service network (in almost every medium-sized city in Russia). In addition, the car is practical, which is important.

Advantages : reliability. Economical. Comfort.

Flaws : appearance is not for everyone.

Stanislav, Pskov

Skoda Fabia 5J, 2012

We use the car to drive within the city and for small trips out of town. I usually don’t drive during rush hours, so I don’t have to sit in traffic jams. Since, having matured, I began to gravitate toward a calmer and more measured ride, an 86-horsepower engine is quite enough for such purposes. What matters here is, first of all, not power, but skill. Despite the modest size of the car, Skoda showroom Fabia 5J is quite spacious, at least I don’t feel any discomfort with my height of 180 centimeters. Since the car is inexpensive (this applies to both the purchase and the cost repair work), then you don’t have to feel too sorry for her. Cruising speed on Skoda Fabia 5J - 90-100 kilometers per hour. Driving at higher speeds is not only unwise from a safety point of view, but also simply uncomfortable, even taking into account the fact that sound insulation has been made. Overtaking in such a car is possible, but you need to keep in mind that it won’t bring much pleasure. The car can be blown away by the wind and thrown over potholes. Fuel consumption on this trip was 6.1 liters per 100 kilometers, while the load was partial - with two people on board and luggage. In the city average consumption per hundred - about 7 liters, I note, however, that I need to drive either during the day or late in the evening, so I don’t have to stand in traffic jams.

Advantages : an excellent car in its class and price category.

Flaws : No.

Georgiy, Moscow

After passing homologation, Skoda has finally fully presented the new Fabia R5 rally car and talked about all its technical characteristics. All this took place at the official presentation, where you could get a good look at the sports Czech car and even ride it as a navigator, feeling all the power in reality.

Appearance

Superfluous words are useless. You can see for yourself in the photo what this beauty looks like. A sporty aerodynamic body kit and a unique livery make the Fabia R5 stand out among its competitors. Extended wheel arches, a large radiator grille, an air intake on the roof and a spoiler above the trunk lid make the little Fabia very aggressive in appearance. Big size wheel disks(15 to 18 inches) and centrally located rear bumper exhaust pipe all this complements.

Salon

Everything here is very sporty. There are only two seats in the front, where there are Sparco seats with five-point seat belts, a three-spoke steering wheel from the same company, and the rest of the space is filled with strength-enhancing pipes. In addition, there is no upholstery in the cabin, only the front panel has been trimmed. Also from the photo you can see many different sensors and devices in the Fabia R5. Located on the central tunnel big lever manual transmission. That's all that can be said about the salon. Everything has been done for maximum safety of pilots in the event of an emergency. emergency situation, since rally speeds are very high.

Specifications

Engine

Firstly, it should be noted absolutely new engine, which is endowed with the Fabia R5. This is a 1.6-liter turbocharged unit, which replaced the naturally aspirated two-liter unit used on the outgoing Fabia S2000. The power that the new heart of the rally Fabia develops is 279 horsepower(205 kW) and it is achieved at 4750 rpm. At the same speed, maximum thrust (torque) develops - this is 420 Nm! Acceleration from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour will mainly depend on the road surface, the tires chosen for it and the operating speed of the five-speed manual transmission. sequential box gears, but in any case it will be less in 3 seconds! But such power also requires high flow rate fuel. Thus, the engine tuning was designed to consume 0.6 liters of gasoline per 10 km, or, in more understandable terms, 60 liters per 100 km.

External dimensions, weight and suspension

Since all the engine power is transmitted to all four wheels (Fabia P5 has four-wheel drive), then as a result of this the car has added 2 millimeters in length and it is equal to 3994 mm, and in width +88 and even 1820 mm. At the same time, according to FIA rules, Fabia's weight must be at least 1230 kg. As for the suspension, McPherson struts, which are located both front and rear, cope with this task. In addition, in the rear there is a special fuel tank, the volume of which is 82.5 liters, since the “appetite” of the Fabia R5 is very good.

Wheels, brakes and tires

Since different stages of rally racing take place on different road surfaces, this entails selecting a suitable diameter rims, brake drums and tires. In the case of an asphalt road, the Fabia will have 18-inch wheels with a minimum weight of 8.9 kg, behind which there will be brake wheels with a diameter of 355 mm. On a gravel road, they will be combined with fifteen-inch, 8.6 kg and brake size 300 mm. Regarding the tires, in both cases the Škoda Motorsport team always used Michelin tires, but always with a different tread shape.

Cost of rally Fabia R5

Be that as it may, even if there are a huge number of customers who want to purchase such a small Czech sports shoe, it will not appear on the market. But at the same time, you can voice the price of the Fabia, which must also comply with FIA rules and is approximately 180,000 euros. So for that amount you could probably buy about ten regular Fabia hatchbacks in Russia.

The official debut of the third generation of the Fabia hatchback took place in Paris (autumn 2014), although most of the information about the new product was declassified in mid-summer. The new product is built on the modernized platform of its predecessor, as well as on the basis of the design DNA of the VisionC concept car, demonstrated in the spring in Geneva. In addition to the hatchback version, the Skoda Fabia 3 will also receive a station wagon version (a separate review is dedicated to it).

And in this review Let's just talk about the hatchback. The appearance of the “third Fabia” has changed quite noticeably. In the contours of the body it became more dynamics, and the sharp shapes give the car a little youthful audacity, which will undoubtedly expand the circle of potential buyers of the new product. In comparison with its predecessor, it has become wider, “growing up” to 1732 mm, but lower, dropping an extra 30 mm to 1468 mm. The length of the body, in turn, was reduced by 8 mm (3992 mm), but wheelbase on the contrary, the new product has added 5 mm and is now 2470 mm. The transition to a new generation made it possible to slightly reduce the weight of the car, so that now the curb weight of the Skoda Fabia in the basic configuration will be 980 kg instead of the previous 1020 kg.

The interior of the third generation Skoda Fabia retained the same conservatism, harsh finishing materials, but added in terms of ergonomics: seating in both rows of seats has become noticeably more comfortable, visibility from the driver’s seat has improved slightly, the revised center console is more convenient to use, and the gear selector knob has moved a little closer to the driver.

And, of course, equipment. Three options are available for the new hatchback multimedia system, comfortable a roof with a panoramic view, several seat trim options and other “goodies” that allow you to customize the car to your individual style.

The trunk did not stand aside either; its basic volume has grown to 330 liters, and with the second row folded it increases to 1150 liters.

Specifications. The range of engines for the third generation car is quite extensive, but not all of the presented engines will hit the Russian market.
List of gasoline power plants opens a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder MPI engine with a power of only 60 hp. In a more productive modification, the same engine already develops 75 hp. Slightly higher will be the turbocharged 1.2-liter gasoline unit TSI, which, depending on the degree of boost, develops 90 hp. (160 Nm) or 110 hp. (175 Nm) power. The list of diesel power plants is represented by three modifications of the 3-cylinder 1.4-liter TDI turbo unit, developing 75, 90 or 105 hp. power.

Unfortunately, diesel engines will not come to Russia. Instead, the Czechs promise to give Russians the opportunity to install a 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters and an output of 105 hp. As for the gearbox, the list of available options includes 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions, as well as a 7-speed DSG robot for top trim levels. The 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine is planned to be combined only with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption data and dynamic characteristics The manufacturer has not yet disclosed the 3rd generation Fabia, promising to announce exact figures closer to the start of sales. But on this moment it is already known that the 1.2-liter gasoline engine will consume an average of 6.0 - 6.1 liters of gasoline, depending on the degree of boost, and a 105-horsepower diesel engine will completely meet 3.5 liters per 100 km.

The Fabia is based on the PQ26 platform, which is deep modernization chassis of the previous generation hatchback. The front part of the new body rests on independent suspension with MacPherson struts, and the rear is supported by a semi-independent suspension on the base torsion beam. The front axle wheels are equipped with ventilated discs brake mechanisms, on rear wheels classic ones are used drum brakes. The hatchback's rack and pinion steering mechanism is complemented by an electro-hydraulic power steering.

Options and prices. Skoda Fabia 2015 model year will receive a fairly wide list of optional equipment. Here you have an ESC stabilization system, active cruise control, and keyless entry, And various sensors, including a driver fatigue monitoring system, as well as a parking assistant and unique system lane keeping, which was not previously used on cars of this class. In Europe Skoda sales Fabia third generations will begin at the beginning of 2015 at a price of 12,000 euros, but the new product will reach Russia only by the third quarter of 2015.

At a small training ground fifty kilometers from the “Skoda capital” Mlada Boleslav, I am greeted by a Skoda 130 RS rally coupe from the 70s from the factory collection. It stands on its tiny 13-inch golden wheels, looks at us with round, bulging eyes and slowly drips oil from the gearbox. Dry sump lubrication system, fiberglass body panels...

But we came here for something else: to see the new Fabia of the R5 category in action.

Gone are the days when the national rally championships were dominated by powerful and relatively inexpensive - up to 120 thousand euros - N4 group cars. Since then, Mitsubishi has curtailed production of its Evo, and Subaru has lost interest in rallying... They were replaced by expensive - under three hundred thousand - atmospheric cars of the S2000 class and even less affordable turbo cars of the Regional Rally Cars class (essentially the same WRC , only less powerful). Problem! Therefore, the International Automobile Federation introduced the R5 class: all-wheel drive cars with 1600 cc turbo engines priced at no more than 180 thousand euros.

Skoda began designing the Fabia R5 in January 2014, experimental samples of the 1.6 turbo engine were tested on the predecessor of the Fabia S2000... And now the car is ready: five-door hatchback in the signature bright green color with 18-inch wheels and swollen to 1820 mm wheel arches. Perhaps this is what the Skoda WRC could look like, because the amount of modifications made to the design of the production car is no less than that of top rally cars or the old Fabia S2000. New support cups are welded into the body for rear suspension McPherson type, front and rear subframes are mounted... How is the one and a half times savings achieved compared to the S2000?

The Fabia R5 engine, like the engine of the previous Fabia S2000, is built on the basis serial unit. But the 1.6 turbo engine on the R5 has a conventional oil pan, not an expensive dry sump system

Where on WRC cars and RRC costs special engine, created exclusively for sports, on R5 cars is a version of the serial turbo engine, “breathing” through a restrictor with a diameter of 32 mm. Because the serial motor Skoda does not have a 1.6 Turbo; the engineers chose which engine to fit the technical requirements: either the small-volume 1.4, or the larger 1.8. In the end, we settled on the 1.8 TFSI engine of the EA888 family - it has larger channels in the cylinder head (the M-Sport studio went the same way, making the engine for the Fiesta from a two-liter one, but on the Peugeot 208 and Citroen DS3 the block and crankshaft are standard - from engine 1.6). But even here the Skoda people had to get smart and take the Chinese version of the engine, which instead of having a block cast together with the head exhaust manifold- a separate detail. The diameter of the cylinders in the cast iron block remained standard, 82.5 millimeters; the working volume was reduced, reducing the piston stroke to 75.6 mm. The result is a classic short-stroke motor. The boost pressure is limited to 2.5 bar, and the turbocharger itself from the Japanese company IHI is a serial one, borrowed from the Audi S3 (WRC/RRC cars are equipped with special units with a turbine housing made of a refractory chrome-nickel alloy). The chain and valves are also taken from standard engine. In terms of power, the 1.6 turbo engine is approximately equivalent to the two-liter naturally aspirated Fabia S2000 (about 280 hp), the peak torque is a modest 420 Nm (unlike the N-group Subaru and Mitsubishi, which produced 600 Nm).

The Skoda Fabia S2000 sold 63 copies - and a more affordable successor has a chance to cover this figure. And most mass machine category R5 still remains Ford Fiesta- 110 of them have already been sold

It is interesting that the engine was almost completely developed and assembled by Skoda Motorsport specialists: former collaboration with motorists from French company Oreca is gradually curdling. “Now we can do this, and the latest evolutions of the engine on the Fabia S2000 were already prepared by us,” says engine engineer Pavel Hlavacek. — According to the Fabia R5 engine with direct injection We were advised by colleagues from the Volkswagen Motorsport department, and Oreca dealt only with individual parts: pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft and camshafts.”

So far, the mileage before the bulkhead is set at 2000 kilometers - exactly the same as that of the faster Fabia S2000 engine (maximum 8500 rpm versus 7500 rpm). Based on the results of the first season, it may be revised - but Fiesta and Peugeot have exactly the same mileage between rebuilding the engine and gearbox.

The rules also stipulate the price of many individual parts - because of this, almost all composite elements of the external tail are made of fiberglass, and not of the more expensive carbon fiber. And the pilot’s footrest and the navigator’s footrest are completely metal.

The flock-covered front panel is glued out of carbon fiber, but the stands and foot rests are metal: it’s cheaper.

In order to reduce the cost of construction, the rules oblige the use of identical steering knuckles and drives, and Skoda also made all the suspension arms at the rear and front the same. The team’s technical director, Aleš Rada, admits that working with suppliers was almost more difficult than designing: for example, the “normal” price of the British Xtrac transmission is 35 thousand euros, but for this project it was reduced to 28 thousand. And most of the serial parts were borrowed from cars VAG concern- for example, the steering rack was taken from a Transporter van - only its housing was reinforced. The problem was to select sufficiently powerful joints of equal angular velocities— they were taken from the GKN catalog.

The remote control between the seats controls the engine modes, light, the engine start button and the fire extinguishing system flag are located. To honk is also here. A little further is the “negotiation” remote control. And the red round thing on the left is the regulator braking forces on rear axle

Alas, there is a downside to using inexpensive serial spare parts: according to Skoda, the car is inferior in endurance to cars of the S2000 category. And the price of 180 thousand euros is a bit of deceit. Yes, purchase finished car for the stated amount it is possible - but it will not have any underbody protection, no “negotiation room”, no “chandelier”, no data logger, or even a jack. All this, like good lungs chairs, available only for additional money. Is it expensive? “Not more expensive, but not cheaper than competitors,” Marcela Yanatova, who looks like a young teacher from the client department, avoids answering. That is, about another 20 thousand euros to bring the car to condition and from 30 to 100 thousand to purchase a set of spare parts - these are the prices of the British M-Sport team for components for the Fiesta R5. It turns out that "in circle" affordable car R5 class is twice as expensive as the usual Mitsubishi or Subaru N4 group!

The Skoda Fabia R5 received international homologation on April 1, and made its debut at the end of the month at the Czech asphalt rally Sumava Klatovy: experienced Czech Jan Kopecky won the race, despite competition from the fast Frenchman Brian Bouffier in a Citroen DS3 R5. And at the world level, the new product will make its debut at the May Rally Portugal: the young Finn Esapekka Lappi and his partners, Kopecky and the Swede Pontus Tidemand, seriously intend to compete for awards in the WRC 2 classification.

To the right of I-Pi

EP, E-Pi, is the short name of the newly crowned European champion Esapekka Lappi in the Czech team. It is he who will take me around the test special stage.

Fabia is so small! In front of me is a front panel without a single key, covered with flock - all the switches are located on the panel between the seats. It is not without difficulty that I settle into the right seat: after all, it is adjusted to the compact figure of Janne Fermat, Lappi’s navigator. There are three buttons on my foot rest, one of them is a signal. You can monitor the engine speed (the shield is installed exactly in the middle, on the transmission tunnel) and the gear number (for this there is a large display in front of the pilot). Esapekka dashes off, pulling the sequential gearbox lever, and... off we go! The straight lines here are very tiny, and Esapekka manages to click until the last, fifth, step and unscrew it almost all the way - what “short” gears are there! Gear ratio final drive, by the way, the only thing here is that one more pair of gears can be homologated.

When we approach the hairpin, I-P, with a gentle jerk of the steering wheel, points the nose of the car to the right and, with the movement of the handbrake, steers it into the turn - it’s as if there is no inertia! Later, when the races were over, the Finn would praise the balance of the chassis: according to him, the previous Fabia S2000 lacked “grip” on the rear axle, and in this it was inferior to the “super” Fiesta.

Passport details
Automobile		Skoda Fabia R5
Body type		five-door hatchback
Dimensions, mm	length	3994
	width	1820
Curb weight, kg		1230
Engine		petrol, direct injection and turbocharging
Location		front, transverse
Number and arrangement of cylinders		4, in a row
Working volume, cm³		1620
Cylinder diameter/piston stroke, mm		82,5/75,6
Number of valves		16
Max. power, hp/kW/rpm		280/205/4750
Max. torque, Nm/rpm		420/4750
Transmission		mechanical, cam, sequential, 5-speed
Drive unit		permanent full, without interaxle differential
Suspension		independent, spring, McPherson
Brakes		disc, ventilated, diameter 355/300 mm*
Capacity fuel tank, l		82,5
*Asphalt/gravel specification