SKODA Fabia Monte Carlo

< Back To All Skoda Fabia Reviews The SKODA Fabia Monte Carlo makes my head spin like socks in a tumble dryer. Why? Because I both love it and hate it. Let us start with the positives. The Fabia Monte Carlo has been launched to celebrate one-hundred years of the rally it takes its name from. It also looks tremendous – particularly with bright red paintwork - thanks to the black wheel arches, rooftop, and door mirrors. The interior feels special too as it features Monte Carlo kick plates, dark rear windows, and a leather steering wheel. What else would you expect from the model that sits only one place below the super-fast vRS? The Fabia Monte Carlo also feels nicely bolted together, has plenty of space, composed handling, and a large boot.

But – and this is a big 'but' – the SKODA Fabia Monte Carlo is a sheep in wolf's clothing. It therefore shares styling cues with the mighty vRS but lacks power in comparison. As such, engines come in five flavours. The 1.2-litre petrol is available in 69, 86, and 105PS form and the 1.6-litre diesel unit produces either 75 or 105PS.

So, the race to 62mph takes between 10.1 and 14.9 seconds. The vRS, in contrast, gets the job done in 7.3. How 'Monte Carlo'. I would also like to see a few more toys for the price. Even the most expensive £15,190 trim lacks a standard-fit electronic stability programme, electric rear windows, and climate control. But hey, let us not be harsh. The Fabia Monte Carlo is a capable workhorse but it is certainly not the car its looks suggest. That seems a shame. Prices start at £12,945. < Back To All Skoda Fabia Reviews

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