2015 Toyota Corolla
Australian compact hot hatchback buyers have another contender to consider with Skoda launching the sporty MY2017 Fabia Monte Carlo from $23,490 (plus on-road charges).
And, for the first time, the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo is available in wagon form – from $24,640 (plus on-road charges).
Following the lead of its successful predecessors, the Skoda Monte Carlo rekindles the Czech-Republic brand’s history in the traditional season-opening round of the World Rally Championship.
On the outside, the Monte Carlo version spices-up the Fabia’s looks with 17-inch black alloy wheels, numerous body elements (including the grille, mirrors, front spoiler and rear diffuser) also in black and a panoramic glass sunroof.
“Race Blue” and “Corrida Red” are amongst the paint colours to give the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo appropriate on-road ‘cred’.
Inside are sports seats, red contrast stitching, sports pedals, a racy flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel and the ‘Monte Carlo’ moniker on the B-pillars and door sills.
Power comes from the turbocharged 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 81kW/175Nm and driving the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. Underneath is a sports suspension calibration.
As you expect from Volkswagen Group products, the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo isn’t lacking for technology – SmartLink Smartphone technology includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, a rear-view camera, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake, Multi-Collision Brake and Stability Control are all standard.
Skoda has also announced that a rear-view camera will now be standard in all Fabia models, on top of existing safety features such as autonomous emergency braking which are already standard across the range.
An optional ‘Tech Pak’ ($1800) features a rarity for cars in this segment – radar-based adaptive cruise control. Also included are keyless entry, push-button start, rear parking sensors and automatic climate-control air-conditioning.
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