Skoda Fabia combi - with pix.

clix22 · 24th October 2008, 12:36

Hi All,
I was covering the Lakme fashion week and Skoda has the Fabia Combi on display at the venue. I spoke to a chap from the corporate office about the car and he commented that the car was not due for launch anytime soon and that this was just a brand building exercise. He however commented that a launch may be probable in the next 8 - 12 month horizon based on customer research and feedback. He had no comments on other skoda models.
Look at the pictures and decide. Its large - and I personally dont like it. For your info the car will be on display till 10 pm tonight at NCPA, Bombay. ( Outside the entrance to the auditorium).

fx45 · 24th October 2008, 13:31

nice pictures

launching a sedan based on this would make much more sense to compete with the latest Honda City and others. This can come at a later stage too.
Nice vehicle but that stupid stickering is ruining the show

Good Catch.

ballkey · 24th October 2008, 13:46

those decals s4ck. But wagons are great, we need more wagons. Something like the SX4, wagonized, and a 150bhp diesel engine would be great for somebody in the burbs, like me. Add AWD if you can.
Yes I'd like a pony too.

BenjiRoss · 24th October 2008, 13:47

Looks pretty elongated!
Is there a third row of seats or is it just a huge boot?
The stickers/graphics are an eyesore - definitely not attractive!
How large is it compared to the innova?

Maverick1977 · 24th October 2008, 14:00

I am not quite sure how much this model would sell. Majority of Indian have never tended to accept the estate versions of any car. The only 1 which got a little response was the Indigo Marina. Majority of them have never really taken off. The Octavia Combi, although a very neat package, never really sold.
This is really true since time immemorable with even the Premier Padmini Safari not doing well.

srishiva · 24th October 2008, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

Looks pretty elongated!
Is there a third row of seats or is it just a huge boot?
The stickers/graphics are an eyesore - definitely not attractive!
How large is it compared to the innova?

Thats the reason its called a combi (a wagon). Its not a hatchback.

deepakhon · 24th October 2008, 14:11

I am in fact waiting for such a car. I prefer wagons to sedans any day. I feel the wagons are a lot more practical. It is a pity that Skoda is not launching it in India in the near future.

backrub · 24th October 2008, 14:25

Skoda had a bad experience with the Octavia combi. Not sure what will be the response for fabia combi if it is launched

clix22 · 24th October 2008, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

Looks pretty elongated!
Is there a third row of seats or is it just a huge boot?
The stickers/graphics are an eyesore - definitely not attractive!
How large is it compared to the innova?

The boot is big, but cant make out the actual size because of the parcel shelf / cover. I would estimate it to be as big as the Indigo marina if not a bit longer.

ac 427 · 24th October 2008, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepakhon

I am in fact waiting for such a car. I prefer wagons to sedans any day. I feel the wagons are a lot more practical. It is a pity that Skoda is not launching it in India in the near future.

Skoda has had an horrible experience with Station wagons, their being wary is understood

Cheers
AC

CBlazer · 24th October 2008, 17:36

I'm sure it's the stickers that make it look terrible. The pics I have seen on the UK website suggest the car is a pretty good looker.

And what's wrong with Skoda? They've been road testing this car for sometime I hear. Now they call this a brand building exercise. Maybe they are delaying the launch just like they did with the Fabia.

I feel this will be a very practical car. Was looking forward to it's launch in December (as reported by Auto Bild).

abhinav.gupta88 · 24th October 2008, 18:00

Somehow i like the station wagons or the combis.

Gives a muscular and more masculine look that the respective sedans/hatches

Hope it is priced properly though i doubt it.

ahuja365 · 24th October 2008, 20:26

We have another failure car for sure as station wagons are never acceptable in India.

GTO · 25th October 2008, 13:35

Estates, for some reason, just haven't clicked in India. It could be that we don't need all that space or there are image issues. Plus, Skoda isn't exactly going to be able to price the Combi competitively, considering how they drew the Fabias shocker tag.

Skoda ought to save their energy and instead focus on taking better care of their existing customers with superior after-sales.

Dippy · 25th October 2008, 15:49

Car looks strictly ok. I never liked the looks of the current Fabia anyway. I dont think Skoda should even launch this. They would be just burning their fingers. As GTO mentioned, Indian buyers havent taken a liking to station wagons. Instead Skoda should think of new ways to better the Fabia hatch with a better price tag and think about the localization of parts so that their service becomes a bit pocket friendly. The current Octavia is old too now.

24th October 2008, 12:36	#1
clix22 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: bombay Posts: 99 Thanked: 230 Times	Skoda Fabia combi - with pix. Hi All, I was covering the Lakme fashion week and Skoda has the Fabia Combi on display at the venue. I spoke to a chap from the corporate office about the car and he commented that the car was not due for launch anytime soon and that this was just a brand building exercise. He however commented that a launch may be probable in the next 8 - 12 month horizon based on customer research and feedback. He had no comments on other skoda models. Look at the pictures and decide. Its large - and I personally dont like it. For your info the car will be on display till 10 pm tonight at NCPA, Bombay. ( Outside the entrance to the auditorium). Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 13:31	#2
fx45 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,823 Thanked: 386 Times	nice pictures launching a sedan based on this would make much more sense to compete with the latest Honda City and others. This can come at a later stage too. Nice vehicle but that stupid stickering is ruining the show Good Catch.
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 13:46	#3
ballkey BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 439 Thanked: 84 Times	those decals s4ck. But wagons are great, we need more wagons. Something like the SX4, wagonized, and a 150bhp diesel engine would be great for somebody in the burbs, like me. Add AWD if you can. Yes I'd like a pony too.
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 13:47	#4
BenjiRoss Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tamilnadu Posts: 1,070 Thanked: 1,335 Times	Looks pretty elongated! Is there a third row of seats or is it just a huge boot? The stickers/graphics are an eyesore - definitely not attractive! How large is it compared to the innova?
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 14:00	#5
Maverick1977 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 999 Thanked: 929 Times View My Garage	I am not quite sure how much this model would sell. Majority of Indian have never tended to accept the estate versions of any car. The only 1 which got a little response was the Indigo Marina. Majority of them have never really taken off. The Octavia Combi, although a very neat package, never really sold. This is really true since time immemorable with even the Premier Padmini Safari not doing well.
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 14:11	#7
deepakhon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,441 Thanked: 77 Times	I am in fact waiting for such a car. I prefer wagons to sedans any day. I feel the wagons are a lot more practical. It is a pity that Skoda is not launching it in India in the near future.
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 14:25	#8
backrub BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 196 Thanked: 2 Times	Skoda had a bad experience with the Octavia combi. Not sure what will be the response for fabia combi if it is launched
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 17:36	#11
CBlazer BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 598 Thanked: 18 Times	I'm sure it's the stickers that make it look terrible. The pics I have seen on the UK website suggest the car is a pretty good looker. And what's wrong with Skoda? They've been road testing this car for sometime I hear. Now they call this a brand building exercise. Maybe they are delaying the launch just like they did with the Fabia. I feel this will be a very practical car. Was looking forward to it's launch in December (as reported by Auto Bild).
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 18:00	#12
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,090 Thanked: 341 Times View My Garage	Somehow i like the station wagons or the combis. Gives a muscular and more masculine look that the respective sedans/hatches Hope it is priced properly though i doubt it.
	() Thanks

24th October 2008, 20:26	#13
ahuja365 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jamshedpur Posts: 216 Thanked: 16 Times	We have another failure car for sure as station wagons are never acceptable in India.
	() Thanks

25th October 2008, 13:35	#14
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,794 Thanked: 322,481 Times View My Garage	Estates, for some reason, just haven't clicked in India. It could be that we don't need all that space or there are image issues. Plus, Skoda isn't exactly going to be able to price the Combi competitively, considering how they drew the Fabias shocker tag. Skoda ought to save their energy and instead focus on taking better care of their existing customers with superior after-sales.
	() Thanks

25th October 2008, 15:49	#15
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,777 Thanked: 4,319 Times	Car looks strictly ok. I never liked the looks of the current Fabia anyway. I dont think Skoda should even launch this. They would be just burning their fingers. As GTO mentioned, Indian buyers havent taken a liking to station wagons. Instead Skoda should think of new ways to better the Fabia hatch with a better price tag and think about the localization of parts so that their service becomes a bit pocket friendly. The current Octavia is old too now.
	() Thanks